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Volume 7 Issue 6

S.No. Title & Authors Page No View
1

Title : Influence of Technological Innovation on Competitiveness of Universities in Nakuru Town, Kenya

Authors : Belvin Keitany, Ronald Chepkilot, John Kipkorir Tanui

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Abstract :

In an era of globalization, deregulation, increasing competition, new technologies and ecommerce, organizations are finding it harder to compete. Firm is said to be competitive when it develops and exploit their own unique resources and capabilities than to be excellent in how it imitates the resources and capabilities of other firms. The objective of the study was to examine the influence of technological innovation on competitiveness of universities in Nakuru, Kenya. More specifically, the study determined the influence of online teaching platforms and smart boards on competitiveness of universities in Nakuru, Kenya. The study was guided by Technology Acceptance Model. The study used descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 62 staff in six campuses in Nakuru town of diverse universities serving as chair of departments, registration staff, and director of online learning from universities in Nakuru town Kenya. Due to the low number of the target population a census method was used to select the sample members to be used in the study. In this context a sample size of 62 respondents was used for the study. Questionnaires structured in a 5-point Likert scale were used for data collection. Questionnaires were tested for reliability and validity. Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to indicate the reliability of the research instrument. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics which included frequency, chi square, correlational analysis and regression analysis.The study concluded that online teaching had a positive and significant relationship with the competitiveness of the universities. The study concluded that smart boards had a positive and significant relationship with the competitiveness of the universities. The study recommended that, management information systems, online teaching platforms should be considered as items for ensuring competitiveness of universities in Nakuru. In particular, the universities should focus on management information systems and online teaching platforms. The role of the diverse aspects of technological innovation should be examined in a holistic manner in diverse aspects of student life facets to examine on how they influence competitiveness of those universities.

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2

Title : The Geo-Electric Resistivity Survey in Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Local Government Areas of Northern Taraba State, Nigeria

Authors : Nyagba B.B, Ahile J. A., Hiar G. N., Drambi J.S., Abdul I.

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Abstract :

The Geo-Electric Resistivity Survey in Jalingo, Yorro and Zing Local Government Areas of Northern Taraba State, Nigeria was carried with the aim to tackle water scarcity problem from the source. Sixty pilot investigation structured questionnaires were administered to persons of sixty years and above of age, in order to have knowledge of water sources 102 years ago, how these sources are changing overtime, the factors responsible for these changes and to use this result as a prerequisite to the vertical Electrical sounding(VES ) or schlumberger array method in the area. This research has shown that for the period of 102 years ago of human settlement within the three Local Government Areas, 210 water sources existed out of which 94 sources depleted constituting 44.7%. It is the surface water source that suffered the most loses due to: human activities, global warming, increasing in population, negligence, pollution, development, and hence necessitating the need for ground water exploration so as to Compplement these loses. VES method was then chosen with the aim to achieve the following objectives: To determine and analyzed aquifer properties in terms of apparent resistivity, thickness, depth to the sub surface of the units in the study area and to delineate the water bearing zones. Fifteen VES were carried out using Schlumberger configuration with maximum current electrode spacing of 200 m, that was herald by reconnaissance study using two brass rods and the centre of array of each VES station was located. Using ABEM SAS 300 system Terrameter , data obtained was analyzed using Interpex IXI-D. It was found that in the study areas two curve types, the H-and the A-types were obtained. The H-curve types dominate with 93.3% and the A-curve type is 6.7%. It is also underlain by rock materials whose layer ranges from two to three. Geo-electric parameters; low apparent resistivity and large thickness favoured presence of availability of ground water in light of this all VES points in Jalingo and Yorro Local Government Areas are favorable for ground water exploration while four in Zing are favorable with VES 15 un suitable.

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3

Title : Microbial Examination of Pathogenic Bacteria Associated With Raw and Pasteurized Milk Samples in Shendam L.G.A Plateau State, Nigeria

Authors : DAYOK O., KUM F.O, BOT T.Y.

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Abstract :

This research was aimed at examining the pathogenic bacteria in both pasteurized and raw milk in Shendam L.G.A. Plateau State, Nigeria. A total number of thirty (30) samples 25ml each of both raw and pasteurized milk were obtained randomly and examined using white side test, dye reduction test and biochemical test such as oxidase, catalase, coagulase, indole and sugar fermentation test for confirmation. The results show that 24 (86.7%) were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus when tested with the White Side Test. Based on the quality of the milk, Shimankar and Ndyak had the poorest handling practice. The bacteria load, showed highest count of 140 X 103 in Shimankar’s vendor and lowest count was recorded in raw milk in Kalong. The morphological and biochemical identification revealed that fivemicroorganisms namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonellaspp,Klebsiellaspp.,Shigella dysentriaeand Streptococcusspp. Salmonellaspp. was the highest with 14(46.7%) while the least was Streptococcusspp. with 2(6.6%). This study showed that pathogenic bacteria were associated with both raw and pasteurized milk in the studied area. The prevalence of these pathogens in milk sampled could be associated with the occurrence of diseases such as mastitis, poor storage, poor hygiene of milkers and retailers. Goodhealth condition of cow,processing and hygiene practices are hereby recommended.  

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4

Title : Lead and Cadmium Level in Animal Organ Samples from Niger Delta, Nigeria

Authors : Okoye Esther, Orish Ebere Orisakweand, Nwaogazie Ifeanyi Lawrence

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Abstract :

Man questfor urbanization and industrialization has resulted to more pollutants introduced to the biosphere on a daily basis. Heavy metals are one form of pollutant that get into the biosphere and are transferred to humans through the intake of food contaminated with heavy metals, direct breathing of air contaminated with heavy metals and through skin contact which possess serious health concerns. The objective of this present study is to assess the heavy metals in animal organs in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The metal concentration of lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) were obtained in 84 meat and poultry samples using a Solar Thermo-Elemental Flame Absorption Spectrometer (S4 710). The result of the metal concentration showed that the liver of the animal organs tends to accumulates more heavy metals than any other animal organ parts. The highest mean metal concentration for lead(9.56±3.95ppm) was found in cow meat liverwhich was higher than the maximum limit of 0.5ppm for animal offal and 0.1ppm of animal meats. The highest mean concentration of cadmium was found in cow meat liver with a mean concentration of 0.02218±0.013ppm while the lowest mean concentration of cadmium was found in broiler chicken muscle with a mean concentration of 0.00248±0.002ppm. The result from the ANOVA showed that there was significant different in the mean metalconcentration for lead in the different animal organ but there was no significant different in the mean metal concentration for Cd. The result of the study indicate that cow meat liver and muscles in the Niger Delta region in Nigeria are heavy polluted with heavy metal and should not be regularly consumed.

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5

Title : Oil Price Volatility and Unemployment in Nigeria

Authors : Tyokase Terfa, Dr. Sunday Edesiri Akiri

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This study examined the effect of oil price volatility on unemployment in Nigeria for the period of 1981 to 2016. The study employed Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributed Lags model (NARDL) to analyse the effect of oil price volatility on unemployment in Nigeria while Exponential Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) was used to compute oil price volatility. The pass-through effect of oil price volatility on unemployment in Nigeria was however evaluated with the aid of a structural Vector autoregressive (SVAR) model. The study found that negative oil prices changes have a significant effect on unemployment rate in Nigeria in the short run. Also, the effect of oil price volatility is transmitted to GDP and subsequently to unemployment rate in Nigeria only in the long-run. The study concludes that oil price volatility has an indirect effect on unemployment in Nigeria. The study therefore, recommends that to minimize the problem of unemployment in Nigeria, it is necessary to cut dependence on oil and explore other alternatives to achieving economic growth and job creation in Nigeria.

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