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MOLECULAR DETECTION AND ENUMERATION OF GRAM-POSITIVE PATHOGENS IN SOME POWDERED INFANT FOODS IN IKOT EKPENE METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

 Uko, E.A.1& Adenugba, I.T.2

 Department of Science Technology

 Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: The present  study was conducted to detect and enumerate Gram positive bacteria in some powdered food sold within Ikot Ekpene metropolis using the polymerase chain reaction(PCR) based method. Ten different samples were obtained from different supermarkets and pharmaceutical stores and were tested for Gram positive bacteria. The results obtained using the culture based method indicated that samples were contaminated by Gram positive bacteria (spore forming and non-spore forming). The PCR based method was further used for identification and the results revealed the identity of Lactobacillus sp, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus. The use of molecular method has facilitated pathogen detection in powdered food as they have posed some health challenges to consumers. From the result obtained, greater emphasis are  placed on good manufacturing practices with careful attention to heat inactivation of bacterial spores, hygienic conditions, sanitation of equipment and processing plants. Implementation of food safety policy by government with the objective of reducing food-borne illness among consumers is recommended. This will ensure microbial quality, food safety and standards of powdered infant foods. Further study should be carried out on bacterial spores, their ability to survive during processing in food industries and the step to kill the vegetative cells.

Keywords: Gram positive bacteria, contamination, Polymerase chain reaction, pathogen.


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COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF VARYING STOCKING DENSITIES ON THE LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP AND MORPHOMETRICS OF HETEROCLARIAS

Afia, O. E.

1Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environmental Management

University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.

Email: ofonimeafia@uniuyo.edu.ng

ABSTRACT: Length-weight relationships and morphometrics are crucial indices for assessing the healthiness of a fish under varying stocking densities. Hybrid fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus x Heterobranchus longifilis were assessed for length-weight relationship and morphometric indices influenced by varying stocking densities for 12 months. Fifteen (15) improvised tarpaulin tanks measuring 1×1×1 m3 and filled with 250L of water were employed for this study. The study was designed to have five different stocking densities (SD), T1 = 100fish/m2, T2 = 75fish/m2, T3 = 38fish/m2, T4 = 18fish/m2 and T5 = 9fish/m2 as treatments and were in triplicates. The fish was fed three times daily (08:00, 13:00 and 18:00 hours) using commercial feed at 2.0% body weight. The feed was adjusted monthly with increase in body weight. The initial weight (2.06 ± 0.48 g) and total length (4.13 ± 0.25 cm) of the fingerlings were taken before stocking them in the various tanks which were randomly positioned. At the end of the study, T1 had the best growth function (2.91) which was closely followed by T2 (2.81). Condition factor was highest in T2 (1.04). There was significance (p<0.05) in morphometrics such as total weight, standard length, head length and dorsal fin length while total length and anal fin length were insignificant (p>0.05) across the different stocking densities. This study recommends 75-100 fish/m2 stocking densities and proper management of water quality parameters to obtain best growth for aquaculturists interested in raising hybrid catfish.

Keywords: length-weight relationship, morphometric parameters, condition factor, hybrid catfish, Heteroclarias, stocking densities


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EFFECT OF RATION LEVEL ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS

1Ugwaka Kingsley Anene & 2Igbokwe Samuel O 

1Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam,

2Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, Federal Polytechnic, Okoh,

ABSTRACT: This investigation was carried out to study the effect ration level will have on the growth and development of African catfish (clarias gariepinus). The research was carried out in the hatchery section of Zoology department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and it lasted for eight weeks. The fish were subjected to different levels of ration feeding, (3%, 5%, 7% and 9% body weight ration level). The results show that those fed on 5% body weight ration level recorded the highest weight increase (106.64g) while those fed on 3% body weight ration level recorded the least weight increase (79.67g). The results also show that those fed on 5% body weight ration level recorded the highest value of specific growth rate (0.103) while those fed on 3% body weight ration level recorded the least value (0.083). ANOVA statistical method was used to analyze the results and I discovered that there was no significant difference among the treatments in both cases. The P values 0.091 and 0.075 recorded respectively are greater than 0.05, i.e. (0.091 > 0.05) and (0.075 > 0.05). Based on the results we recommended that feeding the juvenile of Clarias gariepinus on 5% body weight ratio is the best ration level to feed in order to reduce cost of culture, get the highest maximum size of fish and also maximize profit.


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GOVERNANCE, DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION AND NEW PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (NPM): A COMPARISON

1Dominic Shimawua Chiahemen & 2Inienger Chia Christopher

1Department of Public Administration,

Faculty of Management Sciences, Veritas University

2Department of Public Administration,

Faculty of Management Science,

University of Abuja

EMAIL:  dshimawua@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Two major approaches have emerged as alternatives to classical bureaucratic government, the new Public management and the governance approach. Although both learn to some extent from each other and evolve by taking ideas from one another they, in many ways, can be positioned as opposites with which governments can tackle the increasing complexity of policy processes, implementation and service delivery. While the new public management focuses on getting the goals right and then leaves the implementation to separate bodies, governance is very much preoccupied with combining different perceptions on goals and tries to improve inter-organizational cooperation. This study compares both perspectives.


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FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

1Hilary Eshidenang Ushie, 2Sunday Akiri & 3Agya Atabani Adi

1University of Calabar Microfinance Bank

2Department of Economics, Benue State University, Makurdi

3Department of Economics, Federal University Wukari.

Email: ushiehilary@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study examines the relationship between foreign portfolio investment and economic growth in Nigeria from 1986 to 2018. Data for the study were gathered from secondary sources and analyzed with the use of both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The Toda Yamamoto Non- Causality test was used to ascertain the nature of relationship between Foreign Portfolio Investment and economic growth. The impulse response and variance decomposition were used to examine the response of economic growth to innovations in foreign portfolio investment in Nigeria. The Toda Yamamoto Non- Causality result revealed that there is a bi-directional relationship between foreign portfolio investment and economic growth and the impulse response revealed that economic growth responded positively and permanently to shocks in foreign portfolio investment in Nigeria after the second period of forecast.  The study recommends that the government should encourage the inflows of foreign portfolio investment by making investment friendly policies that would attract foreign investment into the country. Also emphasis should be directed toward maintaining peace and avoidance of debt overhang.

Keywords: Foreign Portfolio Investment, Economic Growth, Toda Yamamoto, Nigeria.


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INTERVENTION ANALYSIS OF DAILY SOUTH AFRICAN RAND/NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES

Aboko, Igboye Simon

Department of Statistics

Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt

E-mail: abokoigboye@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT

This research paper examined the daily exchange rate of the South African (ZAR) and the Nigerian Naira (NGN) which starts from 11th March, 2017 and 9th September, 2017 reveals an abrupt change on 4th August, 2017 in further favour of the Rand. This change is significant as the pre-intervention series was stationary. The pre-invention series was modeled as ARMA (3,12) model using Augmented Dickey Fuller unit root test which was adjusted  to fit the model to be stationary. An intervention model was obtained and the post-intervention data closely agreed with the forecast data.

Keywords: Rand, Naira, Exchange rates, Intervention analysis, ARIMA modeling.


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THE ROLE OF ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE IN EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA’S PRIVATE SECTOR

Mbwa Williams Adiak

Department of Management Studies

Plateau State University, Bokkos

Email: mwadiak1@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study examines the relationship between organisational culture and the performance of employees in Nigerian organisations, as most of the focus has been on organisational performance. It focuses on specific cultural traits of involvement, consistency, adaptability and mission, using the Denison Organisational Cultural Survey model, involving 139 employees of 7 offices of large-scale organisations in Jos metropolis. The data collected through structured questionnaires were analysed using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient, validated by Linear Regression Analysis, which resulted to significant positive relationships being established between involvement, adaptability and mission and the performance measures of quality output/service delivery, quantitative target achievement and job satisfaction. However, when subjected to regression analysis, only involvement and adaptability were found to have significant effect on employee performance. These results have been discussed, with appropriate recommendations and suggestions made.

Keywords: Adaptability, Consistency, Involvement, Mission, Organisational culture, Performance.


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VIRTUAL REALITY AND PATRONAGE OF HOSPITALITY SECTOR IN PORT HARCOURT

Dike, Lawrence Bekwele & Anthony Chuks Nwador

Department of Marketing,

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni Port Harcourt

ABSTRACT

This study investigated Virtual Reality and Patronage of Hospitality Sector in Port Harcourt.  One Hundred and Forty manager staff of hospitality sector staff in Port Harcourt were studied.  Out of the 140 questionnaires distributed, 120 copies representing 91% were duly completed and returned upon which the analysis as done.  The four research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation, while the four hypotheses were tested using the Pearson Product Correlation Coefficient (PPMC).  The reliability testing was done using SPSS version 23 Crumbach Alpha at .95>.71 indicating that the instrument were highly reliable.  The 40 items questionnaire instrument was validated by a senior lecturer in the department of Marketing, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.  The findings showed that Hypothesis one p-value of .671>.05 which implies that virtual reality has no influence on hospitality patronage in Port Harcourt hypothesis 2 p-value of .041<.05 which implies that Customer virtual experience affect purchase intention of hospitality patronage in Port Harcourt. Hypothesis 3 p-value of .447>.05 which implies that customer virtual presence does not affect service quality of hospital patronage in Port Harcourt. Hypothesis 4 p-value of .012<.05 implying that there is customer virtual perception influences repeat purchase of hospital patronage in Port Harcourt.  The study recommended that Since  virtual reality has no influence on hospitality patronage in Port Harcourt, practitioners should lay more emphasy and effort in ensuring greater awareness of the new technology. Customer virtual experience affect purchase intention of hospitality patronage in Port Harcourt, the management of hospitality homes should therefore invest in virtual reality as it will influence purchase intention of customers. Customer virtual presence does not affect service quality of hospital patronage in Port Harcourt, management of hospitality homes should engender more presence of virtual presence. Customer virtual perception influences repeat purchase of hospital patronage in Port Harcourt, virtual perception should therefore be made attractive to tourists and for hospitality patronage in Port Harcourt.

Key Words: Virtual Reality, Patronage, Hospitality Sector, Port Harcourt


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TIME SERIES MODELING OF NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE INDEX (NSEI) AND USD/NGN EXCHANGE RATES

Amala Isabella S; Davies Iyai & E. H. Etuk

Department of Mathematics

Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study performed time series modeling of  and  Exchange rates. Monthly data spanning from January 2007 to December 2018 was used. Data was sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin. The models employed were  model,  model and Granger Causality test. Both series were stationary at first difference. The All Share Index of the Nigerian Stock Exchange suggests ARIMA  a white noise process, and at such,  model was adopted, while USD/NGN exchange rate suggested  model, but residual were conditionally heteroskedastic, hence  model was also adopted and estimated and they Granger Cause each other.

Keywords: Exchange rate, Stock Price, ARMA Model, GARCH (1, 1) Model, Granger Causality Test.