Geochemistry and risk assessment in surface sediments of the Brass River, Bayelsa State, Niger Delta Region, South-South, Nigeria
This paper deals with the physico-chemical parameters and some heavy metals in sediment samples of the Brass River, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals such as pH, chloride, sulphate, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, chromium, zinc, cadmium, lead, manganese, iron and nickel were analyzed. In this present study, all heavy metals investigated showed low concentration of the Brass River. This means that there is a low source of pollution arriving to the Brass River. Potential ecological risk index assessment of heavy metals and comparison with DPR / FEPA standards was employed to infer anthropogenic input from natural input. The heavy metals concentration and potential ecological risk were evaluated systematically using geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (RI). The results showed that the geoaccumulation index placed Brass River under practically unpolluted (Igeo < 0). Furthermore, the potential ecological risk index of both single and multi-element placed the Brass River under the category of low ecological risk (Eir < 40).and RI<150) respectively. In general, the ranking of heavy metals in surficial sediments samples of the Brass River in terms of potential ecological risk coefficient (Eir) was as follows: Cu > Pb > Ni > Zn. Compared to the heavy metals permissible limit in DPR/FEPA standards copper, chromium, zinc, cadmium, lead, manganese, iron and nickel showed lower concentration, possibly indicating that the origin of these heavy metals is lithogenic.
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Global asymptotic stability of uncertain stochastic neural networks with mixed time-delays
This paper is concerned with the global asymptotic stability analysis problem for a general class of uncertain stochastic neural networks with mixed time-delays. The mixed time-delays under consideration comprise both the discrete time-varying delays and unbounded distributed delays. The main purpose of this paper is by using Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, the well-known Leibniz-Newton formula and the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, and then to establish easy to test sufficient stability conditions under which the addressed neural network is globally, robustly, asymptotically stable in the mean square for all admissible parameter uncertainties. The proposed criteria can be checked effectively by the Matlab LMI toolbox. Finally a simple example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed criteria.
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Green HR practices: an empirical study of certain automobile organizations of India
Purpose: To present a comprehensive literature review of Green HR practices and to report the results of a survey on Green HR practices in certain automobile manufacturing organizations in India. Design/Methodology/Approach- A structured questionnaire was designed, pre-tested, modified and used to capture data on a section of organizations using Green HR practices in certain automobile organizations in India. The questionnaire was pilot-tested by practicing HR professionals. Based on the feedback from pilot-test, the questionnaire was modified and final questionnaire was developed and mailed to several automobile manufacturing companies in India. Most automobile industries in India perceived greatest benefit to implementation of Green HR practices were improved employee morale and greatest barrier was cost of implementation. Drivers for implementation of Green HR practices were contribution to society followed by environmental considerations. Among top environmental practices is encouraging employees to work more environmental friendly. Research Limitations/Implications-Further research should be done on differences in perception of HR professionals and employee regarding benefits and barriers of Green HR Practices. Practical Implications—It provides some insights into the implementation of Green HR Practices by certain automobile organizations in India which should help HR practitioners acquire a better to understanding of the current status of HR practices implemented in these organisations. Value- Little research has been done on Green HR practices in automobile organizations, various barriers and drivers in the implementation of Green HR practices. This study is timely and important in that it examines the current status of Green HR practices in certain automobile organizations in India.
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Growth and Yield of Green Pepper (Capsicum annum) as Affected by Frequency of Organic Fertilizer Application
Most organic vegetable farmers in Central Luzon apply the required amount of organic fertilizers only once during planting. Hence, nutrient requirement of vegetables during vegetative or reproductive stages are no longer available. This condition seriously affects the growth and development of vegetables and subsequently affecting the yield performance that may result to low yield. In order to reduce the effect of nutrient deficiency on organic vegetable production particularly on green pepper, the research aimed to: a) establish frequency of organic fertilizer application employing split application; and b) determine the yield performance and net return based on the different treatments used. The research was conducted for two consecutive dry seasons (2014 and 2015) under full organic system. Twice application of the recommended rate of organic fertilizer obtained the highest yield of 4.21 t/ha while thrice application of the recommended rate of organic fertilizer obtained the second highest with 4.14 t/ha. Basal application obtained the lowest yield of 3.89 t/ha during the first trial. Second trial of the study showed that comparable yield was obtained by twice application and thrice application with 5.03 t/ha and 5.02 t/ha, respectively. Basal application consistently produced the lowest yield. Cost and return analysis of 1000 m2 green pepper following the different treatments evaluated showed that the highest net income during the first trial was obtained from twice application of the recommended rate of organic fertilizer with PhP7,740.00 net income with an ROE of 85.05% which was lower than the ROE of the basal application with 89.76%. Lower net income was obtained from basal application of organic fertilizer due to lower yield obtained. Second trial showed that the highest net income was obtained from two split application of the recommended rate of organic fertilizer with PhP11,020.00 registering an ROE of 121.09%, the highest among the three treatments evaluated.
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Homo astralis
The paper deals with the fate of homo gravitas. As an archetype of the existing humans, homo gravitas is mirroring in Heraclitus’ universe like into its whole. In spite of this privileged astral position, homo gravitas is experiencing trouble with its own life at home, on the earth and behaves cruelly to its environment. This paper brings proof that all trouble is due to some disconnections occurring with its gravitational and energetic ties. Some of the damage lasts for a long time, but most has been produced during the former cultures. Those disconnections disturb what Paracelsus called the inner harmony of humans and psychic disorders result. They disclose the existing conflicts between the body and the mind. It was evaluated that 25% of total population is seriously affected by the disease called here schizophrenia astralis. It is not an infecting disease, but its danger increases with population growth. By raising awareness and eliminating its causes with equanimity, schizophrenia astralis can be eradicated before it is too late. Then, with a well-balanced body-mind couple, homo gravitas automatically becomes homo astralis. Anyway, there is no longer need to emigrate on other planets or meet aliens.
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Housing Schemes, Price fixation of houses and other related issues: A Study
In various housing scheme launched by State through its instrumentality like ‘Housing Boards’, the issues relating to allotment, price fixation and other connected matters often arise, quite frequently resulting in litigation. Courts are called upon to decide these issues in accordance with rules and procedures formulated by the appropriate State Governments or the Boards authorised to frame rules. The recent instance of such a case is M.P.Griha Nirman Mandal Adhiniyam established under M.P. Griha Nirman Mandal Adhiniyam Act, 1972. The Board floated the “Housing Scheme” for allotment of (36) residential houses for the employees of the State Government and of public sector undertakings.
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Impact of different phosphorus sources on major and micro nutrient availability to main and residual crop
Pot culture experiment was conducted to study the impact of organic and inorganic phosphorus source on major and micronutrient availability for main and residual crop. Organic and inorganic Phosphorus sources (farmyard manure, poultry manure, vermicompost, sewage sludge and single superphosphate), to supply 34 kg P2O5 ha-1, were used as treatments with no phosphorus source as control. These six treatments replicated four times, making a total of 24 pots. In main groundnut crop all the phosphorus sources improved soil organic carbon and major and micronutrient contents. Among them poultry manure had the greatest influence on the availability of phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and sulphur. In the residual sunflower crop phosphorus source improved the nutrient availability and soil organic carbon content. Among them, poultry manure registered higher soil available nitrogen and phosphorus content and sewage sludge treatment increased potassium and sulphur content. Residual iron, zinc and copper content was higher and comparable in sewage sludge and farmyard manure treatment. And residual manganese content was higher in single super phosphate treatment.
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Impact of Financial Leverage on Profitability of Automobile and Allied Companies of Pakistan
Financial leverage is an index of how much company uses equity and debt to finance their cash-flow and improving the financial condition of the company. The objective of this study is to empirically investigate the relationship between the leverage and profitability of 13 Automobiles and allied companies listed on Karachi Stock Exchange companies from year 2010 to 2014. A Cross sectional random effect estimation for the dependent and independent variables were carried out in order to understand the direction of the impact between them. The results indicated a negative correlation between the leverage and profitability for automobile and allied companies of Pakistan.
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Implementation of blind adaptive filtering using VLSI technology
We are living in a very congested world where there are more and more vehicles. The noise and interference produced by these vehicles are enormous and their unwanted amplification of noise causes irritation. We aim to present a blind technique, enhancing speech, attenuating any kind of noise, by designing an adaptive filter depending on the nature of noise. The differentiation between speech and noise is made. This characteristic is used to derive a cost functional for speech enhancement. Adaptation is by changing two sets of weights. The simulation and synthesis of the above technique/algorithm is implemented using Verilogger pro and Leonardo spectrum.
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Implementation strategies of the re-entry policy of teenage mothers to school in Bungoma County. Kenya.
The Kenyan government developed the policy of the re-entry of the teenage mothers to school in 2001. The policy allows teenage mothers to re-enter schools after delivery. Despite the policy being in place, very few teenage mothers have been returning to school. This study sought to assess the implementation strategies of the re-entry policy of teenage mothers to school in Bungoma County. The main objective of the study was to assess the implementation strategies of the re-entry policy of teenage mother to schools in Bungoma County. The critical theory by Habernes was adopted as the theoretical framework. The convergent parallel mixed method research design was used. The research population comprised of teenage mothers, student girls, head teachers, principals, Guiding and Counselling teachers, Sub County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers. The main data collection instruments were Questionnaires and Interview schedules. Questionnaires were administered to the Teenage mothers, school girls, Guidance and counselling teachers, while the interview schedule were administered to Sub County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers and head teachers. Pilot study was carried out in Trans Nzoia County. Reliability index of 0.79 was obtained. Quantitative data was coded and presented using tables and analyzed through frequency distribution and percentages. Qualitative data was organized and broken into themes synthesized to search for patterns and meaning. This study was significant for it identified various strategies that are used in implementation of the re-entry policy. The study revealed that there are a number of strategies that are used in articulating the policy, support that are given to the teenage mothers and the enforcement of the policy. There is need to harmonise the implementation strategies so that the various stakeholders are reading form the same script.
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