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Listing 80 - 20 of 2806 results.

An Artificial Human Optimization Algorithm Titled Human Thinking Particle Swarm Optimization

Research Article
Author(s): Satish Gajawada, Hassan M. H. Mustafa
Journal: International Journal of Mathematical Research

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Abstract
Artificial Human Optimization is a latest field proposed in December 2016. Just like artificial Chromosomes are agents for Genetic Algorithms, similarly artificial Humans are agents for Artificial Human Optimization Algorithms. Particle Swarm Optimization is very popular algorithm for solving complex optimization problems in various domains. In this paper, Human Thinking Particle Swarm Optimization (HTPSO) is proposed by applying the concept of thinking of Humans into Particle Swarm Optimization. The proposed HTPSO algorithm is tested by applying it on various benchmark functions. Results obtained by HTPSO algorithm are compared with Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm.
Contribution/ Originality
The paper contributes a new algorithm to the Artificial Human Optimization Field. All the optimization algorithms which were proposed based on Artificial Humans will come under Artificial Human Optimization Field. The concept of Human Thinking is introduced into the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to create new algorithm titled HTPSO.
Arts and Education » International Journal of Mathematical Research » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 1

The Decline in Science Students’ Enrolment in Nigerian Colleges of Education: Causes and Remedies

Research Article
Author(s): Aina, Jacob Kola, Ayodele, Michael Olu
Journal: International Journal of Education and Practice

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Abstract
The article critically reviewed the decline in science students’ enrolment in Nigerian Colleges of Education, causes and the solutions. The research evidence abounds that the students’ enrolment for science education in the Nigeria colleges of education reduces every year. The causes for this drawback are the crux of this article. The Nigerian college of education is an institution saddled with the responsibility of training teachers for the primary and secondary schools. Nonetheless, the colleges had been criticised for lack of standards in its admission policy and also of qualified academic personnel. The reviewed literature indicates that there are many challenges confronting colleges of education in Nigeria. Some of these are teachers’ inadequate pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), out-of-field teaching and low teachers self-efficacy. The paper however observed that this problem and others are the results of bad governance experiencing in the nation. Consequent upon these challenges, the students’ enrolment in science education continues to decline every year unabated. The paper identified many causes of the students’ enrolment among these are, the proliferation of private Colleges of Education, loss of interest by the students, lack of science equipment and many others. The paper suggested some recommendations to raise the standard of the Nigeria colleges of education and improve science education students’ enrolment. Among these suggestions is the full government commitment to the funding of the Colleges of Education’s academic programmes.
Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes to the existing literature on the science enrolment in Nigerian colleges of education. Principally, it provides an insight into the causes of the low enrolment in the Nigerian colleges of education. Essentially, suggestions for improving students’ enrolment was made at the end of the paper.
Arts and Education » International Journal of Education and Practice » Month: 04-2018 Issue: 4

Investigating Constraints to Poultry Management Practices among Smallholder Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

Research Article
Author(s): Evangeline Mbah
Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research

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Abstract
The study was carried out to assess poultry management practices among smallholder farmers in Benue state, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 80 respondents used for the study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean score as well as inferential statistics which include factor analysis and logit regression were used for data analysis. Results revealed that 56.7% of the respondents were between the ages of 21 and 40 years, 47.5% had household size of 6-10 persons, 88.6% were literate having 1-10 years of farming experience (93.8%). Findings also show that 48% of the respondents practiced intensive system of poultry while 41.3% of them indicated that major reason for choice of poultry management system is because it is cheap/less expensive. Types of poultry management practices include proper sanitation (80%), cull sick birds (76.3%), brooding of chicks (73.8%) and use disinfectants (70%). Results further indicate constraints to poultry management which include technical, labour and input related factors. The study recommends that efforts are needed in promoting increase in poultry production through adequate pests and diseases control to enhance productivity.
Contribution/ Originality
This study documents that extensive and semi-intensive systems of poultry management were mostly practiced by the farmers in the area where the research was conducted. It also established that poultry management practices were highly constrained by technical, labour and input-related factors.
Agricultural Sciences » International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research » Month: 06-2018 Issue: 2

Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies: Farmers Perception in Oyo State, Nigeria

Research Article
Author(s): Oyewo, I. O., Raufu, M.O., Oladosu, B.O., Adelalu, K.O.
Journal: Current Research in Agricultural Sciences

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Abstract
Climate change and weather variations have been one of the major problems of agricultural productivity most especially among crop farmers in Nigeria. This study therefore assesses farmer’s perception and their adaptation strategies to climate change in Ogo-Oluwa local Government area of Oyo State Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted in selecting 113 respondents, while the instrument of data collection was a structured questionnaire. The data collection was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that the majority (65.5%) of the respondents were males while about 69% of them are between the ages of 31 to 50 years old, majorities (76.0%) of the respondents were married and average household size was 6.0 persons, family labour was the major source of labour for the respondents, 57.5 per cent and 32.7 per cent of the respondents had farm size of 3- 4 acres and above 4 acres respectively. It also shows that majority (51.3%) earned less than N10, 000 per month while 20.4 % and 21.2 % earns between N10, 000 - N20, 000 and N21, 000- N30, 000 per month respectively. The study reveals that 39.8% of the farmers had long years of farming experiences between 21-30 years. The study also reveals that the majority (81.0%) of the respondents are aware of the changing climatic conditions in their community. Educational qualification of respondents, farmers income, farming experiences and access to extension services are positively and significantly influenced farmer’s perception of climate change in the study area. Majority of the farmers have adapted to climate change through diversification of crop types and varieties, changing planting dates among others also constraints to adaptation of climate change include lack of access to weather forecast information, high cost of improved and resistant varieties, and inadequate knowledge of coping strategies. The study therefore recommends among others a deliberate policy of government to increase farmer’s access to weather forecast information in the study area.
Contribution/ Originality


Agricultural Sciences » Current Research in Agricultural Sciences » Month: 06-2018 Issue: 2

Genetic Insights of Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis; Complex Biology

Research Article
Author(s): Kishan L. Jadhav, Priyanka R. Kapare, Divya V. Khairmode, Chaitali H. Keskar, Akash S. Mali
Journal: Journal of Diseases

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Abstract
Atherosclerosis is multifaceted arterial disease involving collaboration of chromosomal and conservational factors; around seven million Americans are experiencing a heart attack during their lifetime. Many biomolecules play different roles in atherosclerosis such as 5-LO enzyme which play vital role in synthesis of leukotriene’s inflammatory intermediates and proteins. Previous studies show that individuals suffering from coronary artery disease more commonly have C. pneumonia antibody than inhabitant’s controls. In recent years the genes and genetic polymorphism which are associated with atherosclerosis had been identified. Phospholipid transfer protein will subsequently decrease the HDL mass and cholesterol efflux capacity due to its overexpression and deletation. Our aim of this review is to demonstrate complex biology of atherosclerosis and effect of cholesterol in cardiovascular diseases.
Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies which have investigated for genetical treatment of atherosclerosis. This study uses new estimation methodology such as by inhibiting RCT. This contributes information about molecular genetic changes in atherosclerosis which open up new vista for further research work.
Medical Sciences » Journal of Diseases » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 1

Characterization and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated from Clinical and Environmental Samples

Research Article
Author(s): Doughari, J.H., Ahmad, A.A., Nafisat K. M.
Journal: Journal of Diseases

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Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa has emerged as a potential problematic Gram negative pathogen. The present study investigated the distribution of P. aeruginosa from the various clinical (wound and post-surgical wound) and environmental (water, industrial effluents and air) samples. The antibiotic resistance test was performed using the disc diffusion method according to NCCLS guidelines. Multidrug resistant genes among the isolates were characterized using PCR. 18 of the isolates with multidrug resistance showed least resistance to ceftazidime (23 %), gentamicin (20 %) and ciprofloxacin (31 %) from clinical isolates and 60, 38.5 and 60 % respectively from environmental isolates. Over 78 % of the isolates were polyvalent 1 strains, 17 % were polyvalent 2 and 5 % were polyvalent 3 strains. Polyvalent 1 were mostly strains from clinical samples while polyvalent 2 and 3 were strains from both (clinical and environmental) samples investigated. PCR analysis of multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa indicates that, PA-SS species specific signature sequences were present in all (100%) the isolates investigated. There was high emergence of antibiotic resistance in the environment and hospital investigated. Proper monitoring, regulating indiscriminate use of chemicals in the environment and restricting the use of antibiotics without susceptibility tests or prescription by a qualified physician should be adopted.
Contribution/ Originality
This study documents the prevalence of drug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from clinical and environmental sources in Yola, Adamawa State., Nigeria.
Medical Sciences » Journal of Diseases » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 1

Has Word of Mouth Advertising in Cyberspace Affected Iran's 2017 Presidential Elections?

Research Article
Author(s): Bahareh Ahmadinejad, Hadi Najafi Asli
Journal: Humanities and Social Sciences Letters

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Abstract
The main objective of political marketing is to facilitate the exchange and benefit for political groups. In this process, special tools and techniques are considered that political marketing seeks to increase the power of political groups in political conflicts, especially in the electoral constituency. Unofficial consumer communications bring many opportunities and opportunities for marketers. The most serious issues that arise for election parties are the negative damage caused by the rumors. Optimistically, political marketers can use word of mouth (WOM) communications for voters in a variety of ways. A total of 110 questionnaires were distributed electronically among the participants in the Iranian presidential elections of 2017. In this questionnaire, the effects of WOM advertisements on the image of the party and its effect on voter turnout were examined. Demographic information was analyzed by using the SPSS software. Data were analyzed by using LISREL software. Results showed that WOM advertising (intensity, positive valence, negative valence) has had no effect on the image of the parties, and the positive or negative behavior (recommendation to others / lack of advice to others).
Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies which have investigated the effect of cyberspace and word of mouth advertising on the behavior of voters. The focus of this paper was on the two main parties of the election (The Right Party / The Left Party) in Iran. Before the elections in the cyberspace, there was a lot of hunch among the supporters of the two parties. In this study, the questionnaires were distributed one month after the election, we examined the psychological propaganda on the behavior of voters.
Social Sciences » Humanities and Social Sciences Letters » Month: 09-2018 Issue: 3

Early Signs of the Cardiovascular System in Athletes with Symptoms of Connective Tissue Dysplasia

Research Article
Author(s): Dao Chanh Thuc
Journal: Journal of Sports Research

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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to improve the medical and pedagogical support of the training process of athletes with signs of connective tissue dysplasia by substantiating the early criteria of acute physical overstrain of the cardiovascular system. 132 athletes were examined, 31 of them with signs of systemic involvement of connective tissue in the dysplastic process. Early signs of overstrain of cardiac function during exercise of athletes with signs of connective tissue dysplasia were symptoms of disturbance of myocardial relaxation by the indicators of diastolic function of the heart, therewith the ejection fraction at rest can be maintained at normal levels. The presence of signs of connective tissue dysplasia in athletes with different predicted states requires sports doctors and trainers to conduct in-depth analysis and differential diagnostics of clinical forms in order to prevent complications during training competitive loads.
Contribution/ Originality


Physical Sciences » Journal of Sports Research » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 1

Military Regimes and Nigeria’s Economic Development, 1966-1999

Research Article
Author(s): Peter Oluwaseun OYEWALE, Oluwaseun Samuel OSADOLA
Journal: Journal of Social Economics Research

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Abstract
This paper examines the military regimes and their various efforts at developing the economy of Nigeria. Economic development and growth have little or nothing to do with military duty or responsibility in any sovereign state. They are supposed to be specialists in ammunitions and war-related strategies. The various military take-overs in Africa during the 1950s and 1960s changed the political and economic administration of the countries involved. Aside from the civil wars that affected most of these countries, economic recessions also nearly brought them to their knees. Nigeria as a major factor in Africa and West Africa politics as at this period also had her fair share of military dictatorial regimes that gave room for a complete change of administration control and nation-building. The paper which derives its data from majorly secondary source employs descriptive and analytic methods in analyzing the data of the study.
Contribution/ Originality


Economics » Journal of Social Economics Research » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 1

Vaccine Development Strategies, Progresses and Challenges for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): A Review

Research Article
Author(s): Tekeba Sisay, Deepak Verma, Mesfin Tsegaw, Nega Berhane
Journal: The International Journal of Biotechnology

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Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus is classified under the Retroviridae family and identified as a causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).Since Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is identified as causative agent of AIDS, about 39 million people have been died and 78 million people have been infected worldwide. Despite tremendous efforts are being made to develop successful diagnosis, treatment and prevention methods, and to develop HIV vaccine the effort remains great challenge for researchers, due to extreme genetic variability of the virus. Even though vaccination of HIV is the most promising, cost effective and feasible intervention strategy to control and eradicate HIV disease route and transmission, still now we are struggling to find an elusive vaccine after thirty years and disappointing results are recorded from previous clinical trials, except the promising RV144 HIV vaccine which is phase III clinical trial with the modest vaccine efficacy. The contribution of this study is to reveal the challenges to found potent HIV vaccine during the last decades, significant lessons learnt about the basic virology, pathogenesis, immunology, HIV/AIDS treatment and HIV infection prevention and significant findings and clinical trials progresses which are currently open the way to some extent to hope that HIV vaccine development is possible.
Contribution/ Originality
The contribution of this study is to reveal the challenges to found potent HIV vaccine during the last decades, significant lessons learnt about the basic virology, pathogenesis, immunology, HIV/AIDS treatment and HIV infection prevention and significant findings and clinical trials progresses which are currently open the way to some extent to hope that HIV vaccine development is possible.
Biological Sciences » The International Journal of Biotechnology » Month: 01-2018 Issue: 1

The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on the Muscle Stem Cells Fibers

Research Article
Author(s): Dao Chanh Thuc
Journal: International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research

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Abstract
Satellite cells are indispensable for skeletal muscle repair and regeneration and are associated with muscle growth in humans [1]. Aerobic exercise training results in improved skeletal muscle health also translating to an increase in satellite cell pool activation. We postulate that aerobic exercise improves satellite cell function in skeletal muscle.
Contribution/ Originality


Medical Sciences » International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research » Month: 02-2018 Issue: 2

Social Protection Programmes, Agricultural Production and Youth Employment in Nigeria: Analysis from LSMS-ISA

Research Article
Author(s): Romanus Osabohien
Journal: International Journal of Business, Economics and Management

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Abstract
This study examined how effective implantation of social protection programmes in the agricultural sector will induce youth participation, thereby creating employment for the youths and reduce the incidence of households’ poverty in Nigeria. The study engaged a qualitative discuss methodology from the Living Standard Measurement Study-Integrated Households Panel Survey on agriculture for two farming seasons (post-planting and post-harvest seasons). Results showed that, out of the three main activities (agricultural, non-farm enterprise and wage employment) engaged by the Nigerian households, for the post-planting interview, agriculture remains the most engaged activity, this is because; about 38.5% of the rural households engaged in agriculture; 17.9% engaged in nonfarm enterprise, while 7.8% engaged in wage employment. It was also noted that; more of the women engaged in a household-nonfarm activities (25%) than men; however, fewer youths engaged in both agriculture (21.8%) in the post-planting visit. The farmers revealed that, one of the reasons for less youth participation in the agricultural activities is due to the low attractiveness of the sector to the youths. Therefore, the study recommended that the agricultural activities should be made attractive through the implementation of social protection programmes to induce youth participation as this will boost rural opportunities and reduce the rural-urban migration and its attendant challenges.
Contribution/ Originality


Economics » International Journal of Business, Economics and Management » Month: 02-2018 Issue: 2

Feature Analysis of Ship Emission Under China’s ECA Policy: A Perspective from Shanghai

Research Article
Author(s): Yibing Zhu, Jiawei Ge, Xuefeng Wang, Zhipeng Xu
Journal: International Journal of Management and Sustainability

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Abstract
The prosperity of maritime commerce brings economic benefits to port cities; however, the air pollution along with the calling of ships undermines the local environment. Being conscious of this, the Chinese government officially issued its agenda on emission control areas (ECA) along her coastal areas at the end of 2015. This paper measures the features of ship emission via an activity-based approach based on AIS data. The air pollutant emission from 24 filtered ocean-going vessels calling the port of Shanghai are calculated, where the emission reduction rates are identified and classified through ship type, engine model and sailing conditions. Findings show that the ECA scheme has an effective impact on reducing the ship emission. The average emission reduction rates of oil tankers/chemical ships, container ships, bulk carriers, liquefied gas ships, general cargo ships, cruise ships and roll-on-roll-off ships are 30.52%, 23.28%, 20.65%, 14.23%, 13.84%, 12.66% and 12.30% respectively. Implications for the next phase of ECA Act are proposed in enacting stricter emission control standards and expanding the scope of ECA after 2020.
Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of few studies which analyze the feature of ship emission with AIS data. The primary contribution is combining ship activity with the implementation of China’s ECA Act, implying the formation of future ECA scheme.
Business & Management » International Journal of Management and Sustainability » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 3

The Value of Selected Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of East Mau Forest Ecosystem, Kenya

Research Article
Author(s): D.K. Langat, E.K. Maranga, A.A. Aboud, J.K. Cheboiwo
Journal: Journal of Forests

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Abstract
The ecosystem services from Kenya’s forest ecosystems have remained largely unmeasured and undervalued. Consequently, the benefits they provide are ignored in most forest management and conservation decisions. This has led to degradation and conversion to alternative uses. To provide a sound basis for decision making in forest management, it is important to estimate economic values provided by East Mau. This study relied on data collected from households using structured interviews and secondary data from published and unpublished sources. The total indirect use values (soil functions, hydrological functions, climate regulation values) from East Mau forest ecosystem was about US$219 million (KES 20billion). The economic values of nutrient cycling, erosion control, water flow and quality regulation were US$13.30, US$ 4.50 ha-1yr-1, US$ 1421.03 ha-1yr-1 and US $12.83 HH-1yr-1 respectively. The annual value for carbon sequestration and oxygen generation was US$3308.05 ha-1yr-1 and 1365.13 ha-1yr-1 respectively. These results provide valuable information on the magnitude of the selected ecosystem services that could be relevant in decision-making concerning conservation and management of East Mau forest ecosystem for enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods.
Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies which have quantified indirect use values of forest ecosystem in Kenya. The study has provided valuable information on the magnitude of the selected ecosystem services relevant to sustainable conservation and management of forest ecosystems for enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods
Agricultural Sciences » Journal of Forests » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 1

Entrepreneurial Networking and Women Entrepreneurs’ Contribution to Employment Creation in Rivers State, Nigeria

Research Article
Author(s): ADIM, Chidiebere Victor, ADELAIYE, M.B.O., ADUBASIM, Ikechukwu Ernest
Journal: International Journal of Business, Economics and Management

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial networking and women entrepreneurs’ contribution to employment creation in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design to solicit responses from women entrepreneurs in Rivers state, using simple random. The target population of Women Entrepreneurs in Rivers State was 329 obtained from the 2017 Directory of the Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs and Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The sample size was 181 using the Taro Yamen’s formula. After data cleaning, only data of 153 respondents were finally used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation were used for data analysis and hypothesis testing. Findings revealed that entrepreneurial networking has a significant relationship with women entrepreneurs to employment .The study thus concluded that entrepreneurial networking bears a positive and significant influence on women entrepreneurs’ contribution to employment creation. We recommend that women should be engaged in entrepreneurial education to develop right competencies, skills and needed entrepreneurial capacities.
Contribution/ Originality
This study sought to empirically examine the impact of the entrepreneurial networking (EN) construct and its impact on women entrepreneurs in Rivers State, Nigeria. This is because there has been paucity of empirical works that has examined the predicting impact of (EN) on the contribution of women entrepreneurs to employment creation.
Economics » International Journal of Business, Economics and Management » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 3

Participatory Processes in Planning for Self-Help Housing Provision in South Africa: Policies and Challenges

Research Article
Author(s): Sithembiso Lindelihle Myeni, Bongekile YC Mvuyana
Journal: International Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research

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Abstract
In contemporary post-apartheid a number of housing policies have been made since the 1994 democratic dispensation in an attempt to solve housing problems especially for poor and low-income population in South Africa. The most recent policy has been the Comprehensive Housing Plan for the Development of Integrated Sustainable Human Settlements commonly known as the Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing plan of 2004. The aims of this paper are to present an overview and empirical analysis on research and emerging legitimisation of the participation of informal institutions in planning phase for housing development in rural areas. This paper analyses public participatory processes in the planning phase of rural housing project(s) in Jozini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. Since the establishment of a fully-fledged local government institutions and the promulgation of the BNG in 2004, inhabitants have experienced materialisation of new housing opportunities for community members. These opportunities created during the planning phase which results to community members benefiting in housing development excludes the poor in the process of self-help subsidy administration and housing allocation. Grounded on the works of Foucauldian scholars especially the ‘discourse of power’ in participation, the paper argues that the local community members not only embody the local knowledge to be accessed, but their participation presents an important entry point to the political decision-making needed for collecting differing viewpoints and interests but also for initiating the negotiations needed that would lead to coordination, if not cooperation for housing development. We propose that participatory processes that are beneficiary to the poor are best understood when traced over time as a dynamic response to a constantly unfolding-project related intervention.
Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes in the existing literature on self-help housing and applies Foucauldian approach in order to present how the participation of informal institutions in the planning phase for housing development in rural areas was legitimated.
Economics » International Journal of Public Policy and Administration Research » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 1

The Moderating Effect of Governance Mechanisms on the Relationship Between Innovation Strategy and the Performance

Research Article
Author(s): Mouna REKIK
Journal: International Journal of Business, Economics and Management

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Abstract
The aim of this research is to examine the effect of innovation strategy on firm’s performance and investigate the moderating effect of ownership structure and board of directors’ characteristics, as governance attributes, on this relationship. Based on a sample of 29 Tunisian companies over a period from 2008 to 2013, we show that innovation strategy has no effect on firm’s performance. However, some corporate governance attributes are likely to affect this relationship which turns significant. Overall, the independence of board members, CEO duality, audit quality and the independence of audit committee members have moderating effects on the relationship between the innovation strategy and performance. These results illustrate the crucial role played by the board of directors in determining the relationship between the innovation strategy and firm performance.
Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes in the existing literature both theoretical and empirical reconciliations between these two corpuses: source of performance and value creation. This study is one of very few studies which have investigated the effect of internal mechanisms of governance (ownership structure and board of directors) on the relationship between the innovation strategy and the firm performance.
Economics » International Journal of Business, Economics and Management » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 3

An Investigation of the Relationship between Manufacturing Output and Economic Growth : Evidence from Nigerias Data Set

Research Article
Author(s): Ogunlana Olarewaju Fatai
Journal: International Journal of Business, Economics and Management

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Abstract
This paper examined the relationship between manufacturing output and economic growth using Nigeria's data set for empirical testing. The study adopts cointegration technique, error correction mechanism and granger causality test to investigate the long run, short run dynamics and causal relationship between manufacturing output and economic growth. The key variables employed in the estimation are technology, domestic investment, lending rate to private investors, foreign direct investment inflows, capacity utilization rate, foreign exchange rate and price movement. The cointegration tests suggests that long run relationship exists among the variables employed in the estimation. Findings from the long run and short run estimation shows that gross fixed capital formation, capacity utilization rate, foreign direct investment inflows, price movement, technology and lending rate to private investors are credible determinants of manufacturing output in Nigeria. The causality test suggests a unidirectional relationship between economic growth and observed manufacturing output. Policy direction is instructive towards achieving sustainable industrial growth and development.
Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes to the existing literature by pooling together all the credible variables identified as determinants of manufacturing output and also establish the relationship between economic growth and manufacturing output in Nigeria. The study uses new econometrics techniques to analyze the variables used in the model and also originates new formula for generating observed manufacturing output in Nigeria.
Economics » International Journal of Business, Economics and Management » Month: 04-2018 Issue: 4

Smart Campus: An Implementation of a Cloud-Based Mobile Learning Application

Research Article
Author(s): Olutayo Boyinbode
Journal: Journal of Information

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Abstract
A cloud-based mobile learning application allows access to learning resources stored in the cloud. The limitations of the traditional mobile learning such as insufficient storage, limited power have made mobile learning applications inefficient, hence the need to integrate mobile learning with cloud computing. This paper focuses on providing a smart platform where instructors or lecturers can upload learning resources to the cloud, and learners can access these resources with their mobile devices, after they have been successfully uploaded. Also the concepts, technologies, and tools used for the implementation were also discussed.
Contribution/ Originality
This paper contributes a smart campus initiative using the concepts of Cloud Computing and Mobile Learning.
Computer Sciences » Journal of Information » Month: 06-2018 Issue: 2

Survey of Image Processing Based Applications in AMR

Research Article
Author(s): K. Karthick, M. Premkumar, R. Manikandan, R. Cristin
Journal: Review of Computer Engineering Research

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Abstract
The ability to use computer and human based interaction would make things easier for the user, but would be challenging for the researchers. More sophisticated imaging systems can handle inter plot the results of image analysis and describe the various objects and their connections in the scene. The electricity, gas, and water metering instruments may employ the Automatic meter reading (AMR) system for automation of bill generation process. The image processing implementation may ease the process of AMR. In this paper, we discussed the image processing applications in AMR.
Contribution/ Originality
This study is one of very few studies which have investigated the applications of image processing in automatic meter reading.
Computer Sciences » Review of Computer Engineering Research » Month: 03-2018 Issue: 1