Impact of Passive and Active Teaching Methods on Students’ Learning among Secondary School Students in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

The purpose of this study is to find out the impact of passive and active teaching methods on students’ learning in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Pretest-posttest experimental design was adopted for this study. Two hundred secondary school students were randomly selected for this study (X = 14.42; SD = 0.91). The sample was made of 72 males and 128 females. Data was collected via administration of achievement test in Biology with specific focus on Osmosis and Diffusion. Frequency count, percentages, ANOVA and MANOVA were used to analyse data. The findings showed that the traditional lecture method (verbal teaching) was the most commonly used teaching method in public secondary schools in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Out of the four teaching methods assessed, students attain 61% level of learning with video watching method, 70% with traditional lecture method, 84% with practical teaching method and 85% with discussion method. On the overall, active teaching methods had significant impact on students’ learning than the passive teaching method at p<.05 level for the four conditions (F (3,192) = 162.03, p = .000).  However, gender factor appeared not to have significant effect on students’ learning. Based on these finding, it was recommended that the Ministry of Education should embark on enlightenment campaign on the need for teachers to employ effective teaching methods in classroom.

Pesticides and food safety in Africa

African countries have experienced nonconformance in the levels of pesticides for local consumption and export. Sometimes this leads to rejects and other forms of embarrassment from the importing countries. Economic challenge and lack of awareness heighten the overall cost of interventions in pesticide-related food safety management. For example, not a few of the infractions were a result of incorrect ways of pesticide application. The hazard accompanying chemical pesticide application has left open a window of biological alternatives which this review article seems to explore. The bio-alternatives, including green pesticides cancel out the adverse effect of residual chemicals on crops in farm and store and so make it more attractive. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.123754

Climate change and mycotoxins - The African experience

The role of climate change on mycotoxin profile and activity was reviewed. The unprecedented spread and relocation experienced by some regulated mycotoxins on food and feed items were investigated. Aspergillus species and aflatoxin, originally associated with tropical and subtropical climate characteristics of Sub-Saharan Africa are now comfortable guests in temperate zones. The same applies to Fusarium and Penicilium species, earlier thought to be strictly specific to temperate regions of Europe, now encountered in tropical Africa, with their toxins like zearalenone and trichothecenes, particularly in recent surveillance studies. This review is an update on the unstable trend on a global mycotoxin map with reference to the obvious climatic dynamics, having Africa in view

Pesticides and food safety in Africa

African countries have experienced nonconformance in the levels of pesticides for local consumption and export. Sometimes this leads to rejects and other forms of embarrassment from the importing countries. Economic challenge and lack of awareness heighten the overall cost of interventions in pesticide-related food safety management. For example, not a few of the infractions were a result of incorrect ways of pesticide application. The hazard accompanying chemical pesticide application has left open a window of biological alternatives which this review article seems to explore. The bio-alternatives, including green pesticides cancel out the adverse effect of residual chemicals on crops in farm and store and so make it more attractive. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.123754

Evaluation of Geotechnical and Structural Performance of Cement-Stabilized Soil with Saw Dust Ash (SDA)

Availability of good soils for the construction of Civil engineering works is pivotal to the development and progress of any nation. Where good soils are lacking, it is necessary to make the soil fit through soil improvement methods. This study investigates the geotechnical performance of soil stabilized with the blend of cement and saw dust ash (SDA). The blend consists of 9% cement by weight and up to 10% of SDA at interval of 2%. The tests conducted on both stabilized and unstabilized soils samples at three different locations, identified as A, B, and C were: particle size distribution, natural moisture content, Atterberg’s limits, compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS). The results showed decrease in plasticity index from high to medium, increase in CBR values: 4 – 10% for sample A, 2 – 12% for sample B and 5 – 8% for sample C, and increase in unconfined compression strength values: 45.23 – 65.88 kN/m2&nbsp;for sample A, 34.01 – 59.18 kN/m2&nbsp;for B and 41.80 – 63.94 kN/m2&nbsp;for C. The results of this investigation showed that improvement of soil for construction purpose can be achieved when SDA is applied as a stabilizer in a cement-stabilized soil, up to 6% by weight of cement. Specifically, improved shear stress demonstrated up to 6% replacement is an indication of fitness for application of such soil in the design of footing, especially for columns, where shear stresses usually control the footing thickness

The Role of State and Professional Bodies in Developing Code for Structural Concrete – Learning from other Nations

In order to arrest the rampant structural failures of buildings, there have been call for the development and adoption of structural design codes that will capture all relevant environmental issues that are peculiar to Nigeria.  This paper presents the results of analysis of data collected from the public domain (libraries and internet sources) on Nations with acceptable structural design codes in concrete and allied materials. Some of the findings are that: (i) Code or Standard does not necessarily need to be a legal document or backed by the state to enjoy wider acceptance or be recognized, (ii) it is possible for people in the same professions to form professional association and regulate the operation of the profession by setting standard of practice which can be recognized, not only by people, but also acceptable to the State and (iii) whether a standard developed as a legal document or recommendations of professional association, openness and consideration for the inputs for all are necessary. This is to ensure that the operation of the standard will not run contrary to the public good, or in violation of the common law, or infringe the rights of a subject/citizen. Keywords — Building failures, Codes, Concrete, Legal document, Professional bodies, Structures

Cucurbitaceae - the family that nourishes and heals

A review of the activities of members of the Cucurbitaceae was carried out. Many of them are confirmed nutritious and therapeutical. Their global spread, diverse genera and phytochemical profile further confirm them as an attraction for the growth and survival of humanity. The need for alternative control measures to address resistance has heightened the passion for Cucurbitaceae in bioprospecting. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.143679

Nutritive value of Stylosanthes guianensis and Lablab purpureus as sole feed for growing rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of Stylosanthes guianensis and Lablab purpureus as sole feed for growing rabbit. Thirty-six cross-bred growing rabbits of mean weight 515 ±2.3g were used for the study. The animals were randomly allotted to 3 different treatments. The animals in T1 were fed S. guanensis only, while animals in T2 and T3 were fed solely on L. purpureus andsunflower leaf (control), respectively. Feed intake and weight gain were measured on daily and weekly basis respectively. The results showed that rabbits fed S. guanensis and L. purpureus compared favourably with those fed sunflower leaf in terms of feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The results also revealed that the nutrients digestibility (dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre) were also better in rabbit fed S. guanensis and L. purpureus. The dressing percent, lung weight, heart andkidney weight were not affected by the dietary treatment

A Review of Some Agricultural Wastes in Nigeria for Sustainability in the Production of Structural Concrete

A review of agricultural wastes available in Nigeria that is suitable for use in concrete industry, in order to attain sustainability in structural concrete production and practice, is presented in this paper. The wastes reviewed are: Cassava Peel Ash (CPA), Empty Palm Oil Fruit Brunch Ash (EPO-FBA), Rice Husk Ash (RHA), and Saw Dust Ash (SDA). Others were Palm Kernel Shell Ash (PKSA), Groundnut Husk Ash (GHA), Corncob Ash (CA), and Egg Shell Powder (ESP). The study revealed that some agricultural wastes that have potential for use as supplementary cementing material (SCM) for cement in the production of structural concrete abounds in Nigeria. It was also revealed that the necessity of standardization of procedures for testing of such wastes so that structural performance index can be compared. In addition, there is also the need for the development of classification methods similar to that of fly ash, so that their use can be enhanced. Using these waste materials in concrete will lead to sustainability in concrete production, reduction in the use of natural non-renewable resources, innovativeness in the use of wastes, and the development of small-scale industries

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERISATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF MIXED LIGAND NICKEL(II),COPPER(II) AND ZINC(II) COMPLEXES OF BENZALDEHYDE WITH 1,10-PHENANTHROLINE, 2,2′-BIPYRIDINE AND ETHYLENEDIAMINE

Nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) mixed ligand complexes of benzaldehyde with 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′-bipyridine&nbsp; and ethylenediamine have been synthesised and characterised by metal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, electronic spectra studies, magnetic susceptibility measurement and antimicrobial activities. The infrared spectra of the complexes confirmed the coordination through the carbonyl oxygen of the benzaldehyde while the electronic transitions are consistent with the adoption of octahedral geometry for all the synthesised complexes. The magnetic moment of the synthesised complexes suggested that all the complexes were paramagnetic except Zn(II) complex which was diamagnetic. The microbial susceptibility testing showed that the copper complexes had stronger antibacterial and antifungal activity than nickel and zinc complexes. Notably, [Cu(Bz)2Bipy(NO3)2] and [Ni(Bz)2(phen)Cl2].H2O showed no antifungal activity