The Influence of Budget and Financial Control in Selected Government Parastatals in Nigeria

The study examined budget and financial control in selected government parastatals in Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted in the study. Primary data was obtained using a well-designed questionnaire. Data gathered in the study was analyzed using descriptive, correlation analysis, logit regression analysis and other post estimation tests. Findings obtained in the study indicated that budget preparation exerts insignificant positive impact on financial control in Nigerian government parastatals with coefficient estimate of .034178 (p=0.195> 0.05); budget implementation exerts insignificant positive impact on financial control of Nigerian government parastatals with coefficient estimate of .0082354 (p=0.750> 0.05) and budget monitoring and evacuation exert insignificant positive impact on financial control, with coefficient estimate of .0468773 (p=0.234> 0.05). Premise on these findings, the study concluded that financial control on the average tends to increase as government parastatals experience effectual budget performance, with more budget preparation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation as opposed to the usual neglect of budget after implementation. Hence, it was suggested that government should ensure improvement in budget design; government should ensure adequate budget monitoring procedure and government should ensure viable budget evaluation procedure.

Coefficient Estimate of Toeplitz Determinant for a Certain Class of Close to Convex Functions

Let S denote the class of analytic and univalent functions in D, where D is defined as unit disk and having the Taylor representation form of S. We will determine the estimation for the Toeplitz determinants where the elements are the Taylor coefficients of the class close-to-convex functions in S.

Certain Coefficient Estimate Problems for Three-Leaf-Type Starlike Functions

In our present investigation, some coefficient functionals for a subclass relating to starlike functions connected with three-leaf mappings were considered. Sharp coefficient estimates for the first four initial coefficients of the functions of this class are addressed. Furthermore, we obtain the Fekete–Szegö inequality, sharp upper bounds for second and third Hankel determinants, bounds for logarithmic coefficients, and third-order Hankel determinants for two-fold and three-fold symmetric functions.

Sample sizes for cluster-randomised trials with continuous outcomes: Accounting for uncertainty in a single intra-cluster correlation estimate

Sample size calculations for cluster-randomised trials require inclusion of an inflation factor taking into account the intra-cluster correlation coefficient. Often, estimates of the intra-cluster correlation coefficient are taken from pilot trials, which are known to have uncertainty about their estimation. Given that the value of the intra-cluster correlation coefficient has a considerable influence on the calculated sample size for a main trial, the uncertainty in the estimate can have a large impact on the ultimate sample size and consequently, the power of a main trial. As such, it is important to account for the uncertainty in the estimate of the intra-cluster correlation coefficient. While a commonly adopted approach is to utilise the upper confidence limit in the sample size calculation, this is a largely inefficient method which can result in overpowered main trials. In this paper, we present a method of estimating the sample size for a main cluster-randomised trial with a continuous outcome, using numerical methods to account for the uncertainty in the intra-cluster correlation coefficient estimate. Despite limitations with this initial study, the findings and recommendations in this paper can help to improve sample size estimations for cluster randomised controlled trials by accounting for uncertainty in the estimate of the intra-cluster correlation coefficient. We recommend this approach be applied to all trials where there is uncertainty in the intra-cluster correlation coefficient estimate, in conjunction with additional sources of information to guide the estimation of the intra-cluster correlation coefficient.

Correlation between CSF and blood neurofilament light chain protein: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo assess the overall pooled correlation coefficient estimate between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood neurofilament light (NfL) protein.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase and Web of Science for published articles, from their inception to 9 July 2019, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Studies reporting the correlation between CSF and blood NfL in humans were included. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to calculate the overall pooled correlation coefficient estimate, accounting for correlation technique and assay used. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic test. In sensitivity analyses, we calculated the pooled correlation coefficient estimate according to blood NfL assay: single-molecule array digital immunoassay (Simoa), electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assay or ELISA.ResultsData were extracted from 36 articles, including 3961 paired CSF and blood NfL samples. Overall, 26/36 studies measured blood NfL using Simoa, 8/36 ECL, 1/36 ELISA and 1 study reported all three assay results. The overall meta-analysis demonstrated that the pooled correlation coefficient estimate for CSF and blood NfL was r=0.72. Heterogeneity was significant: I2=83%, p<0.01. In sensitivity analyses, the pooled correlation coefficient was similar for studies measuring blood NfL using Simoa and ECL (r=0.69 and r=0.68, respectively) but weaker for ELISA (r=0.35).ConclusionModerate correlations are demonstrated between CSF and blood NfL, especially when blood NfL was measured using Simoa and ECL. Given its high analytical sensitivity, Simoa is the preferred assay for measuring NfL, especially at low or physiological concentrations, and this meta-analysis supports its use as the current most advanced surrogate measure of CSF NfL.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019140469

The indigenous South American Tsimane exhibit relatively modest decrease in brain volume with age despite high systemic inflammation

Brain atrophy is correlated with risk of cognitive impairment, functional decline, and dementia. Despite a high infectious disease burden, Tsimane forager-horticulturists of Bolivia have the lowest prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis of any studied population and present few cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors despite a high burden of infections and therefore inflammation. This study (A) examines the statistical association between brain volume and age for Tsimane, and (B) compares this association to that of three industrialized populations in the U.S. and Europe. This cohort-based panel study enrolled 746 participants aged 40 to 94 (396 males), from whom computed tomography (CT) head scans were acquired. Brain volume (BV) and intracranial volume (ICV) were calculated from automatic head CT segmentations. The linear regression coefficient estimate β⌢T of the Tsimane (T), describing the relationship between age (predictor) and BV (response, as a percentage of ICV), was calculated for the pooled sample (including both sexes) and for each sex. β⌢T was compared to the corresponding regression coefficient estimate β⌢R of samples from the industrialized reference (R) countries. For all comparisons, the null hypothesis βT = βR was rejected both for the combined samples of males and females, as well as separately for each sex. Our results indicate that the Tsimane exhibit a significantly slower decrease in brain volume with age than populations in the U.S. and Europe. Such reduced rates of brain volume decrease, together with a subsistence lifestyle and low cardiovascular disease risk, may protect brain health despite considerable chronic inflammation related to infectious burden.

Working Capital Management and Corporate Financial Performance of Consumer Goods Sector in Nigeria

The study assessed the impact of working capital management on corporate financial performance of consumer goods sector in Nigeria. The study specifically determined the impact of average collection period on the return on assets of consumer goods industries in Nigeria; assessed the effect of cash conversion cycle on the return on assets of consumer goods industries in Nigeria and evaluated the effect of average payment period on the return on assets of consumer goods industries in Nigeria. Panel data spanning five years (2013-2017) was gathered for five consumer goods firms in Nigeria. Panel estimation techniques such as descriptive, correlation, fixed effect (cross section and time specific), random effect and other post estimation tests was used in the study. Findings from the study indicated that average collection period exerts negative insignificant impact on the profitability of consumer goods firms with coefficient estimate of -.0000662(p=0.848>0.05); cash conversion cycle exerts negative insignificant impact on profitability of consumer goods firms with coefficient estimate of - .0002468 (p=0.527>0.05) and average payment period exerts negative significant impact on the profitability of consumer goods firms in Nigeria with coefficient estimate of .0016386 (p=0.049<0.05). Premise on these findings, the study suggested that management of manufacturing firms should adopt effective cost reduction strategies, measures to control labour cost vis-à-vis ensuring adequate supervision of workers, monitor firm’s assets and occasion employee training.

Friction Coefficient Estimate for Threaded Joints Made of Carbon-Carbon Composite Materials

Experimental studies were carried out to estimate the friction coefficients for a screw-nut threaded pair made of spatially reinforced carbon-carbon composite materials (CCCM). Quantitative values were obtained for the thread friction coefficient and nut end friction coefficient. The ultimate screw-in torque for the CCCM threaded pair was determined, and its failure mode at a destructive screw-in torque was established. The laboratory tests were carried out to measure the tightening force. The nut screw-in torque was measured using a torque wrench.

Hyperbolically Lipschitz continuity, area distortion and coefficient estimates for -quasiconformal harmonic mappings of unit disk

UDC 517.51 We study the hyperbolically Lipschitz continuity, Euclidean and hyperbolic area distortion theorem, and coefficient estimate for the classes of -quasiconformal harmonic mappings from the unit disk onto itself.