Developing Teachers’ Capacity for Teaching Pupils’ Initial Reading Skills: Research Report

The research stemmed from literature that revealed that most pupils in the public primary schools in Nigeria cannot read and write. Some researchers attributed this to poor foundation in teaching initial reading due to teachers’ lack of skills in teaching initial reading and their use of ineffective methods. Based on this, the researchers decided to build the capacity of 40 teachers of Primary 2 classes on the use of the multisensory approach in teaching initial reading which lasted for three weeks. Before the training commenced, a pre-test was administered on the pupils taught by these teachers and eight weeks after the treatment(training) a post-test was administered on the pupils to determine the effects of the treatment. The results of the pre-test and post-test were analysed using t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The t-test results showed a significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores of the pupils and this difference was attributed to the treatment given to the teachers t- calculated value of 24.6 and t-value of 1.984 at 0.05 level of significance with degree of freedom 98. Also the t-test t-test comparison of the mean scores of male and female pupils shows that male students performed better on IRMAT than their female counterpart t-calculated 10.80 at 0.05 level of significance and degree of freedom 98. In addition, when ANOVA was used the result shows that the treatment given to the teachers had a significant impact on the pupils, F-cal =426.29 and f- crit =6.90 (F1, 98 =6.90, P = 0.05). Based on this result, some recommendations were made among which are, the need to retrain all teachers in the lower basic education level, on the use of the multi-sensory approach in teaching initial reading and the use of Jolly phonics technique in teaching initial reading.Key words: Developing, Teachers’ Capacity, Teaching, Initial Reading, Multisensory Approac

Comparative evaluation of partial replacement of soybean meal with raw and oven-dried cassia tora seedmeal on the performance of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to comparatively evaluate partial replacement of soybean meal with raw and oven-dried Cassia tora seed meal (CTSM) on the performance of broiler chickens. An eight-week feeding trial involving two hundred and eighty eight (288), day-old chicks purchased from a reputable chick dealer in Uyo Metropolis was used for the study. Four experimental diets each of raw and oven-dried CTSM was formulated such that diets 1, 2, 3, and 4 contained 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% CTSM respectively. The birds were randomly assigned to the eight dietary treatments of 36 birds each. A treatment was replicated thrice, with 12 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The parameters evaluated were body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and blood parameters. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), using SPSS version 20. The results showed that the dietary treatments significantly influenced the growth indices. Weight gain was highest at 10% inclusion of raw CTSM and also at 15% inclusion of oven-dried CTSM. Feed intake response was highest at 10% inclusion of raw CTSM and 15% inclusion of oven-dried CTSM while feed conversion ratio (FCR) was greatly improved at these inclusion levels. The inclusion of raw and oven-dried CTSM at 10% and 15% respectively did not adversely affect carcass qualities and organs. Inclusion of raw CTSM up to 15% adversely affected carcass quality and haematological parameters. Also, haematological parameters of broiler chicken were best at 10% and 15% inclusion of raw and oven-dried CTSM respectively. When all parameters were considered, performance of broiler chickens was best at 10% inclusion of raw CTSM and 15% inclusion of oven-dried CTSM. It is therefore recommended that raw CTSM can only be incorporated into the diets of broiler chickens up to 10% without any detrimental effect. But oven-dried CTSM can be incorporated up to 15% without any detrimental effect. &nbsp

Evaluation of the Nigerian national antiretroviral (ARV) treatment training programme

There is an understanding that greater availability of HIV treatment for the 40.3 million people currently infected with HIV is a humanitarian imperative that could prolong the lives of millions, restore economic productivity, and stabilise societies in some of the world's hardest-hit regions. The Nigerian government recognises that the country has the third highest burden of infection, with people living with HIV estimated to total 4.0 million, and so in 2002 commenced the implementation of one of Africa's largest antiretroviral (ARV) treatment programmes. A successful ARV programme requires that all components of a functional management system be put in place for effective and efficient functioning. This would include logistics, human resources, financial planning, and monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as sustainable institutional capacities. The Nigerian national ARV treatment training programme was conceived to meet the human resource needs in hospitals providing ARV therapy. This paper reports on the evaluation of the training programme. It examines knowledge and skills gained, and utilisation thereof. Recommendations are made for improved training effectiveness and for specific national policy on training, to meet the demand for scaling up therapy to the thousands who need ARV. Keywords: ARV, training, evaluation, HIV, health care providerJournal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Initiatve Vol. 3 (3) 2006: pp. 488-50

MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION OF SURFACE ROUGHNESS IN END MILLING OF ALUMINIUM USING LEAST SQUARE APPROXIMATION METHOD AND RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

In end milling, accurate setting of process parameters is extremely important to obtained enhanced surface roughness (SR). Due to a recent innovation in mechanization made it possible to produce high quality manufacturing products. The perceptions of quality in mechanical products are their physical look that is the surface roughness (SR). The aim of this research work is to develop mathematical expression (M.E) and mathematical model using least square approximation method and Response Surface Methodology (RMS) to predict the SR for end milling of Al 6061 alloy. The process parameters that were selected as predictors for the SR are Spindle speed (V), axial depth of cut (a), feed rate (f) and radial depth of cut (d). 30 samples of Al 6061 alloy were carried out using SIEG 3/10/0010 CNC machines and each of the experimental result was measured using Mitutoyo surface roughness tester and Presso- firm. The minimum SR of 0.5 μm were obtained at a spindle speed of 2034.608 rpm, feed rate of 100 mm/min, axial depth of cut of 20 mm, and radial depth of cut 1.5 mm. Analysis of variances shows that the most influential parameters was feed rate. Afte

Consumer Motivation and Multilevel Marketing on Health Products

Multi Level Marketing (MLM) for healthcare product is one of the dramatic transformations that have emerged in contemporary times with varying behavioral responses. Its increasing acceptance in Nigeria is because people find it an alternative option to addressing diverse health concerns amidst other economic benefits. The study considered multilevel marketing in health with a key focus on the relationship between multilevel health products and continuance intention

Active case finding and evaluation of IL-6 production among household contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in a high disease setting

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a top infectious disease killer worldwide and remains a huge public health concern. However, most TB case findings are limited to self-referral (passive case finding), when individuals develop symptoms of TB. Only 15% of disease burden in Nigeria are reported. In view of this, it is important to assess the latent and active disease burden amongst HHC of TB patients suffering from pulmonary TB. In addition, it has been suggested that IL-6 levels could be used as a prognostic marker in exposed individuals. IL-6 levels were assessed in this cohort.Methods: A total of 205 subjects participated in this study, comprising 62 pulmonary TB index cases and 143 of their household contacts. Also, 54 apparently healthy subjects were recruited to serve as controls. Active case finding was performed amongst the HHC, using sputum and blood samples; they were tested for active TB. Blood samples were also collected for measuring IL-6 levels.Results: Findings reveal 6.3% previously undiagnosed active TB among the HHC of the TB patients and a significantly higher number of latently infected TB cases compared to the control population (p=0.0078). There were significant differences when comparing HIV co-infected index group to their HIV negative counterparts (P=0.032). Significantly different IL-6 levels were found among the study groups and sub-groups (p<0.0001), with significantly higher levels in TB mono-infection compared to in TB/HIV co-infection (p=0.031).Conclusions: These results demonstrate the importance of active TB case finding for TB control and the possible role of IL-6 as a diagnostic marker in TB control

A Clinicopathological Review of Colonic Polyps in a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria

Background: Colorectal polyps, especially adenomas, are known as precursors of colorectal carcinomas. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and histopathologic characteristics of colonic polyps among Nigerians that underwent colonoscopy at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. The authors also determined the polyp detection rate and adenoma detection rate. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of all colonoscopy examinations performed at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin from March 2013 to September 2017. The endoscopy register was reviewed, and patients’ biodata, indications for colonoscopy and colonoscopic findings were recorded on a proforma. The histopathologic reports of the polyps were also retrieved and their diagnosis confirmed. Results: A total of 289 patients had colonoscopy carried out on them. The age of the patients ranged from 14 to 90 years with a mean ±SD of 57.0 ± 15.3 years and a median age of 58 years. There were 178 (61.6%) males and 111 (38.4%) females giving a M:F ratio of 1.6:1. The indications for colonoscopy were rectalbleeding 124 (42.9%); suspected colorectal cancer 67 (23.2%); abdominal pain 22 (7.6%); chronic diarrhea 18 (6.2%); surveillance colonoscopy 12 (4.2%); constipation 11 (3.8%); change in bowel habit 9 (3.1%); occult bleeding 6 (2.1%); others 20 (6.9%). Endoscopic findings were normal findings 89 (30.8%); hemorrhoids 88 (30.4%); colonic polyps 50 (17.3%); diverticulosis 34 (11.8%); rectal cancer 29 (10.0%); colon cancer 24 (8.3%); colitis 19 (6.6%); others 13 (4.5%). The findings were not mutually exclusive. The diagnostic yield was 69.2%. The overall polyp detection rate was 17.3%. Of the 50 patients with polyps, 33 (66.0%) were males (p = 0.481). Theadenoma detection rate was 4.8%. Conclusion: The authors conclude that their observed polyp detection rate is consistent with the estimated rates for Africa. Rectal bleeding and adenomatous polyps were the commonest presentation and histopathologic finding, respectively

Experimental and Mathematical Modeling for Prediction of Tool Wear on the Machining of Aluminium 6061 Alloy by High Speed Steel Tools

In recent machining operation, tool life is one of the most demanding tasks in production process, especially in the automotive industry. The aim of this paper is to study tool wear on HSS in end milling of aluminium 6061 alloy. The experiments were carried out to investigate tool wear with the machined parameters and todevelopedmathematicalmodelusingresponsesurface methodology.Thevariousmachiningparametersselected fortheexperimentarespindlespeed(N),feedrate(f),axialdepthofcut(a)andradialdepthofcut(r).Theexperimentwasdesignedusingcentralcompositedesign(CCD) inwhich31sampleswererunonSIEG3/10/0010CNCend milling machine. After each experiment the cutting tool wasmeasuredusingscanningelectronmicroscope(SEM). Theobtainedoptimummachiningparametercombination arespindlespeedof2500rpm,feedrateof200mm/min, axialdepthofcutof20mm,andradialdepthofcut1.0mm wasfoundouttoachievedtheminimumtoolwearas0.213 mm. The mathematical model developed predicted the toolwearwith99.7%whichiswithintheacceptableaccuracyrangefortoolwearpredictio

Assessment of performance indices of selected gas turbine power plants in Nigeria

In this study, performance assessment of selected gas turbine power plants in Nigeria was evaluated using performance indices. The results of the study showed that for the period under review (2006–2010), the percentage shortfalls from the target energy in the selected power plants range from 26.33% to 86.61% as against the acceptable value of 5–10%. The capacity factor of the selected power plants varies from 16.88% to 73.67% as against the international value of 50–80%. The plant use factor varies from 45.89% to 97.03% and the utilization factor varies from 6.31% to 93.074% as against the international best practice of over 95%. From this result, it can be concluded that the generating units were underutilized. This is due to inadequate routine maintenance and equipment fault development. The analyses of reliability indicators revealed that the mean time between failures varies from 5.42 to 378.44 h, the mean time to repair varies from 18.3 to 153.88 h and the plant availability varies from 12.86% to 91.31% as against the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers recommended standard of 99.9%. Evaluation of operating figures of the selected power plants revealed that starting reliability (SR) and operating reliability vary from 71.95% to 93.9% and 5.33% to 55%, respectively. The SR of the selected power plants is low in value compared with standard value of 99.9%. The statistical analysis carried out on plant availability revealed that at 95% confidence level; there is a significant difference in availability of the selected power plants. This indicates differences in their systems installation, operation and maintenance. The performance indicator developed to evaluate the performance indices for the selected stations can also be applicable to other power stations in Nigeria and elsewhere. Measures to improve the performance indices of the plants have been suggested in this paper

MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION OF SURFACE ROUGHNESS IN END MILLING OF ALUMINIUM USING LEAST SQUARE APPROXIMATION METHOD AND RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

In end milling, accurate setting of process parameters is extremely important to obtained enhanced surface roughness (SR). Due to a recent innovation in mechanization made it possible to produce high quality manufacturing products. The perceptions of quality in mechanical products are their physical look that is the surface roughness (SR). The aim of this research work is to develop mathematical expression (M.E) and mathematical model using least square approximation method and Response Surface Methodology (RMS) to predict the SR for end milling of Al 6061 alloy. The process parameters that were selected as predictors for the SR are Spindle speed (V), axial depth of cut (a), feed rate (f) and radial depth of cut (d). 30 samples of Al 6061 alloy were carried out using SIEG 3/10/0010 CNC machines and each of the experimental result was measured using Mitutoyo surface roughness tester and Presso-firm. The minimum SR of 0.5 μm were obtained at a spindle speed of 2034.608 rpm, feed rate of 100 mm/min, axial depth of cut of 20 mm, and radial depth of cut 1.5 mm. Analysis of variances shows that the most influential parameters was feed rate. After the predicted SR has been obtained by using the two methods, average percentage deviation was calculated, the result obtained using least square approximation method (that is the mathematical expression) show the accuracy of 99% and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) mathematical model shows accuracy of 99.6% which is viable and appropriate in prediction of SR. When either of these models are applied this will enhance the rate of production