L.E. Yahaya, O.M. Aliyu, L.A. Hammed and S.O. Aroyeun
The purpose of this paper is to determine the physicochemical characteristics of yellow and red apples cultivars of cashew. This is with a view to harnessing the quality…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the physicochemical characteristics of yellow and red apples cultivars of cashew. This is with a view to harnessing the quality attributes of the different cultivars of cashew. Parameters investigated include pH, refractive index, specific gravity, vitamin C content, juice astringency, chlorophyll and juice yield.
Design/methodology/approach
The methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) are employed in assaying the physicochemical properties, while the astringency is determined spectrophotometrically according to standard methods.
Findings
Results showed that percentage juice yield increases linearly with maturity for both cultivars. A maximum of 79.5 per cent is obtained for the yellow apple cultivars, while 74.1 per cent juice yield is obtained in the red apple cultivar. The pH ranged from 3.73‐4.5 and 3.64‐4.55 for red and yellow apple cultivars, respectively, with a marked fall between seven and eight weeks after pollination (WAPo). Specific gravity and refractive index are of the order 0.999‐1.007 and 1.34‐1.89 for both selected samples. Highest refractive index is obtained in red and yellow cultivars at seven and eight WAPo. The changes in ascorbic acid followed a linear pattern and the maximum values of 249.5 mg/100 ml and 185.5 mg/100 ml are obtained for yellow and red apple cultivars, respectively. Meanwhile, the juice astringency level decreased steadily with maturity and at the ninth WAPo, values obtained are 0.47 and 0.86 mg/100 ml tannin for yellow and red apple cultivars, respectively. Generally, pH, astringency, refractive index, juice content, ascorbic acid and chlorophyll contents showed marked variations between six and eight WAPo, confirming physiological maturity and ripening in the crop species.
Originality/value
Cashew farmers and industrialists will know the best time to harvest the crop when the quality is at its peak.
Details
Keywords
Aarhus Kommunes Biblioteker (Teknisk Bibliotek), Ingerslevs Plads 7, Aarhus, Denmark. Representative: V. NEDERGAARD PEDERSEN (Librarian).
IN devoting this number of The Library World in the main to county libraries, we shall not, we think, be guilty of producing what the journalists call “stale matter.” There was a…
Abstract
IN devoting this number of The Library World in the main to county libraries, we shall not, we think, be guilty of producing what the journalists call “stale matter.” There was a time when county libraries appeared to dominate all small meetings of librarians and even appeared to obsess conferences; a new thing always creates in its advocates and workers an enthusiasm which, to some, appears to be out of proportion. We say “appears to be” because many town librarians felt that their own work was being by‐passed and occasionally belittled. Cooler minds, however, realised from the beginning that the first stages of county library development were as acorns from which oaks would inevitably grow. Few movements have the social importance that the county libraries undoubtedly have. Speaking from the librarianship point of view, it can now be said that the county libraries have proved themselves. The service as yet is uneven, as is inevitable; the movement began and grew in times of great stringency; and even those who advocated it, and it may be those who financed it, did not see its full possibilities. Growth will continue and in time the county library movement will be as fully organised as that of the great city libraries.
ON April 23rd this year, when all countries in the world will be celebrating the Quater‐centenary of Shakespeare's birthday, the Shakespeare Memorial Library in Birmingham will…
Abstract
ON April 23rd this year, when all countries in the world will be celebrating the Quater‐centenary of Shakespeare's birthday, the Shakespeare Memorial Library in Birmingham will have attained a majority of one hundred years. Although founded in 1864 the scope of the library was first envisaged by George Dawson, President of the local Shakespeare club in a letter to Aris's Birmingham Gazette of 1861.
Dimitrios G. Mavridis and Pantelis Kyrmizoglou
The field for Intellectual Capital (IC) and the related philosophy of Knowledge Management (KM) has arisen recently to an interesting research object worldwide. Researchers round…
Abstract
The field for Intellectual Capital (IC) and the related philosophy of Knowledge Management (KM) has arisen recently to an interesting research object worldwide. Researchers round the globe presented interesting realistic contributions to the “intellectual” matter like Tobin’s “q”, Intangible Assets Monitor ‐IAM or “Skandia Navigator”. Increasingly the metrication of the intellectual intangibility, the visualization of the invisible intellectual brain power or the calculation of the intellectual potentiality provoked many “serious” researchers to fight like the hero of La Mancha “again wind, light and sound”. A. Pulic “VAIC™ – Value Added Intellectual Capital Method” is one way to bridge the distance from “tacit to ex plicit” because it helps to understand the metrics of intangibility. In the present research the data (published balance sheet and profit/loss account information) of seventeen main Greek banks for the period 1996 to 1999 is analyzed. The focus is put on the used human capital (HC) and physical capital (CA) of the Greek banking sector and their impact on firms’ value added (VA) based performance is discussed. The predictive (regression analysis) impact on the “intellectual” value added (VA) based performance confirms the existence of value added (VA) based performance differences among the various banks – always due to their potential of intellectual and physical capital.
Details
Keywords
Alan E. Bayer and Gerald Jahoda
Industrial and academic users of online bibliographic searching over a year's time did not generally diminish their amount of use of other traditional manual means of information…
Abstract
Industrial and academic users of online bibliographic searching over a year's time did not generally diminish their amount of use of other traditional manual means of information gathering activities. However, in comparison to less frequent users and nonusers, frequent users increased their reliance on librarians. Online users increased their appraisal of the adequacy of information services available to them, particularly as regards those aspects generally considered the primary benefits of online searching. Users positively increased their assessment of the utility of online searches to their work, and online bibliographic searching capability was subsequently adopted as a permanent feature in both the industrial and academic work settings.
A parallel structure is suggested for feedback control systems. Such a technique can be applied to either single or multi‐sensor environments and is ideally suited for parallel…
Abstract
A parallel structure is suggested for feedback control systems. Such a technique can be applied to either single or multi‐sensor environments and is ideally suited for parallel processor implementation. The control input actually applied is based on a weighted summation of the different parallel controller values, the weightings being either fixed values or chosen by an adaptive decision‐making mechanism. The effect of different controller combinations is a field now open to study.
Details
Keywords
K.J. Burnham, O.C.L. Haas and D.J.G. James
By considering a number of practical case study examples, the paper highlights some of the design methods of intelligent systems for use in optimisation and control. The paper…
Abstract
By considering a number of practical case study examples, the paper highlights some of the design methods of intelligent systems for use in optimisation and control. The paper describes tools and approaches that are used as well as the systems to which they are applied. The approaches include fuzzy logic decision making for optimal start‐up of combined cycle power plant, control and modelling within an automotive air fuel ratio application and optimisation of intensity modulated radiation therapy treatment. These diverse application areas have much in common in regard to the problem‐solving approaches; in recognition of this, generic aspects of the use of intelligent methodologies are also highlighted.
Details
Keywords
Waliu Olawale Shittu, Hammed Agboola Yusuf, Abdallah El Moctar El Houssein and Sallahuddin Hassan
This paper measures the impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI), globalisation and political governance on economic growth in West Africa. The empirical analysis also includes…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper measures the impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI), globalisation and political governance on economic growth in West Africa. The empirical analysis also includes the interaction effect of political governance and FDI on the growth of the sub-region, over the period of 1996–2016.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs the autoregressive distributed lag technique on data obtained from the World Bank and the KOF institute.
Findings
The study findings suggest a positive relationship between globalisation and political governance on economic growth. Even though there have been inconclusive results on the FDI–growth nexus, the authors found that FDI stimulates the growth of the sub-region, while political governance enhances the positive impact of FDI on economic growth. The other factors of growth included are labour, capital and government size, whose effects on growth are, respectively, negative, negative and positive.
Practical implications
The governments of the West African countries promote policies that attract FDI into the sub-region, so that economic performances may be enhanced. In addition, the governments of the West African sub-region should work to reap the benefits of globalisation, by promoting the competitiveness of their local economies in order to keep pace with the global markets. Finally, the political-governance infrastructures should be overhauled; the culture of accountability and transparency should be promoted, while all efforts should be made to improve stability in the political environment in order to increase investors' confidence in the West African economy.
Originality/value
This study is the first to single out the impacts of political governance, as categorised by the World Bank, through both direct and interactive measures. This is necessary in view of the assertion that political governance largely accounts for improved economic performance in an economy. The use of the Pesaran (2007) technique of unit root is also a deviation from existing studies. This is in view of the fact that it tests variable unit root in the presence of cross-sectional dependence; thus, controlling for contemporaneous correlation which was not considered in the first-generation tests.
Details
Keywords
Hammed Agboola Yusuf, Waliu Olawale Shittu, Saad Babatunde Akanbi, Habiba MohammedBello Umar and Idris Abdulganiyu Abdulrahman
In this research, we examine the role of financial development, FDI, democracy and political instability on economic growth in West Africa.
Abstract
Purpose
In this research, we examine the role of financial development, FDI, democracy and political instability on economic growth in West Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses the dynamic fixed effects technique on the secondary data obtained from 1996 to 2016.
Findings
Our empirical findings suggest that even though no significant relationship is established in the short run, the long-run coefficient of FDI is found to be significant and positive; a 1% increase in FDI inflow into the West African sub-region results in a 0.26% increase in economic growth. The coefficient of democracy is significant neither in the short run nor in the long run, but political instability is found to significantly and negatively impact the growth of the countries. Finally, the estimate of financial development–growth nexus follows the supply-leading hypothesis.
Research limitations/implications
This research affirms the proposition that FDI is a relevant means of technology and knowledge transfers, thus resulting in increasing returns to production as a result of productive spillovers, which drives the growth of the economy. Consequently, an efficient institution – where the rule of law, political stability and economic freedom are top priorities – is a key to accelerate the growth of the West African economy. Similarly, we confirm the validity of the supply-leading hypothesis in West Africa. As such, by deepening the financial system, the growth of the subregion is propelled because an efficient financial system is a basis for sustainable development.
Practical implication
The applicable policies are those that promote growth through FDI, financial development, democracy and political instability. The governments of West African countries are enjoined to promote policies that attract FDI into the subregion and promote financial sector credits so that economic performances may be enhanced. In addition, the governments of West African subregion should fully entrench democratic practices and enhance a stable and sustainable political environment. This will not only restore investor confidence but will also facilitate the inflow of FDI into the West African economy.
Originality/value
Our study is the first to jointly examine these important growth determinants, especially in the context of West Africa. This becomes necessary in order to open the eyes of policy makers to the need for entrenched full democracy and to proffer sustainable cures to the frequent unrests in the subregion. The use of Pesaran (2007) technique of unit root is also a deviation from several existing studies. One advantage of this technique over others is that being a second-generation test, it tests variable unit root in the presence of cross-sectional dependence.