An adaptive educational system that caters for combination of two models of learning styles

This thesis aimed to explore the affect of combining two models of learning styles (VARK, and Honey and Mumford) in terms of students‘ learning gains and satisfaction. VARK focuses on how the students perceive learning, while Honey and Mumford examines how an individual would like to learn. A web-based educational system was built to test the combination of the two models of learning styles. A study to examine the feasibility of the system was carried out on 129 participants to explore whether the system presented tutorials according to their individual learning styles. A second study to investigate learning gains and user satisfaction was carried out on 149 participants. Satisfaction was divided into three main concepts: usability, preference and perception of learning. Learning gains were tested by giving participants a pre-test, a post-test and a confirmatory test. Participants were divided into four groups and had the lesson presented according to one learning style of either the VARK or Honey & Mumford model, both of the participants‘ learning styles or with no personal customization. The results found that participants who used the two models of learning styles showed higher learning gains and had higher levels of satisfaction across all three factors; compared to those using only one or no learning style. Furthermore, those using only one learning style showed higher learning gains and had higher levels of satisfaction than those with no learning style. The application of these findings would be of benefit to educational institutions‘ decision makers, educators, students and e-learning designers. Adaptation is a key feature of the system of research. It is intended for future work; preliminary research has shown that the users profile and learning item will change over time. This important finding is worth exploring in future research

Global Warming and Stomatal Complex Types

World leaders, public health specialists, engineers, atmospheric chemists, hydrologists, quantum physicists, mathematicians, botanists, zoologists, have all being striving to stop further release of more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and in the occurrence of these gases, they are trying to purifying or cleansing them. One of the cleaners or purifiers that can be employed is stomata. Stomata are microscopic openings or pores located majorly on the abaxial or lower, and adaxial or upper surfaces of leaves of plants

Traditional Preparations and Uses of Maize in Nigeria

Maize is a cereal plant that produces grains that can be cooked, roasted, fried, ground, pounded or crushed to prepare various food items like pap, ‘tuwo’, ‘gwate’, ‘donkunu’ and host of others. All these food types are readily available in various parts of Nigeria among different ethnic groups, notably among which are Yorubas, Hausas, Ibos, Ibiras, Ishas, Binis, Efiks, Yalas etc. Preparations and uses of the maize grains varied from group to group, though at time with some similarities. Apart from food, maize is also useful as medicines and as raw materials for industries. About 28 food items or dishes and 6 medicinal values of maize are discussed with aim of making available the divergent methods of preparations of maize from various ethnic groups

Ethnobotanical Study of Economic Trees: Uses of Trees as Timbers and Fuelwoods in Ilorin Emirate of Kwara State, Nigeria

A survey of the five local government areas that make up Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State, Nigeria, revealed extensive use of economic trees as timber woods and fuel woods. The forest resources are indiscriminately exploited by the poor inhabitants who solely depend on the forest to earn their livelihood. Tree species such as Pterocarpus erinaceus, Parkia biglobosa, Prosobis africana, Trichilia emetica, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Danielia oliveri, Khaya senegalensis, Tectonia grandis, Milicia excelsa and Vitellaria paradoxa are popular among the inhabitants as fuelwoods, with Vitellaria paradoxa being the most frequently used. Among timber woods, Pterocarpus erinaceus is the most highly demanded by artists, casket builders and furniture workers. The hitherto harmonious relationships between the people and the plants whereby the people of a particular culture use plant to cure many inherent diseases and for other natural benefits have been defeated. Presently, the relationships have turned to destruction of many forests and endangering of many species of trees. Thus many forests have been turned to mere woodlands in the study areas

Seasonal Variation of Power Distribution in Niger State of Nigeria using Markov Model with Non-Stationary Transition Probabilities

This paper presents the application of Markov chain model with non-stationary transition probabilities to study the monthly data of the power distribution in Niger state in the wet, Dry-Hot and Hamatten/Dry- Hot seasons. The result indicates an optimal power distribution of over 150,000MWwith probability 0.49 during the wet season, 0.25 during the hot-dry season and 0.19 in the hot-cold season respectively. The variation of power distribution directly affects the electricity consumers. Markov chain model could be used as a predictive tool for determining the power distribution pattern at different seasons in the Study area. These predictions might be used for the management of (NCC) for effective distribution of megawatts.Keywords: Markov Chain, Transition probability, Non-stationary, Power Distributio

Working capital management and financial performance of listed conglomerate companies in Nigeria

This study examines the impact of working capital management on the financial performance of listed conglomerate companies in Nigeria for a period of ten (10) years (2005-2014). Data for the study were quantitatively retrieved from the annual reports and accounts of the studied companies. The study employed descriptive statistics to describe the variable while the relationships among the variables were established via correlation. Variable Inflation Factor (VIF) was used to determine the existence or otherwise of multi-collinearity while Ordinary Least Square (OLS) Regression was used to analyze the data. It was found that debtors collection period, creditors payment period and firm size were negatively related to return on investment while cash conversion cycle has positive but insignificant relationship with the financial performance of the studied companies. The study however, recommends among others that listed conglomerate companies should maintain the current debtors’ collection period or further reduce it in order to continue to enhance financial performance.peer-reviewe

Anatomical and Physiological Effects of Spent-Engine Oil on Two Varieties of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. from Malvaceae

The effect of different levels of spent engine oil application on germination, survival, growth, leaf anatomy, yield, nutrient content and heavy metals uptake of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus – ‘Clemson’ spineless variety and ‘OLA 3 Local’ variety) was assessed in the present study. Completely randomized design was used with five treatment levels of spent engine oil at 0 ml (control), 50 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml and 200 ml applied to 5 kg of soil. Data on germination, seedling survival, growth, chlorophyll nutrient and heavy metal content, as well as leaf epidermal features collected from the study were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) analyses. Spent engine oil at 200 ml per pot significantly (P < 0.05) delayed seed germination for 4 days and reduced germination percentage by approximately 24% compared to the control. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, chlorophyll A, B and stomata area were reduced by 21.33-72.89%; number and dry weight of fruits were reduced by 67.4-13.58%. Number of stomata was increased on the adaxial surface by 57.73% and on the abaxial surface by 34.99%. Na, K, Cr, Cd and Fe contents increased by 0.0178-6.2698 mg/kg-1. The present study has shown that plant constituents and anatomy can be influenced by spent oil contamination. Contamination of soil with spent engine oil therefore should be avoided in order to ensure sustainable crop plant productivity and to reduce the risk of heavy metals toxicity for human beings

Evaluation of Sperm and Haematological Parameters Boosting Potential of Breynia nivosa (W.Bull) Sm. (Euphorbiaceae) Leaf Extract in Male Albino Rats

Background: In Nigeria and almost all countries in Africa, the use of herbal medicines and herbal products had received general recognition by the people owing to their affordable prices as well historical believes associated with the efficacy of these herbs as compared to conventional drugs in the management and treatment of diseases.Objectives: This study was carried in order to evaluate sperm and haematological parameters boosting potential of leaf methanol extract of Breynia nivosa in male Swiss albino rats.Materials and Methods: Methanol leaf extract of the plant was administered to thirty male Swiss albino rats grouped into six groups of six rats per group orally for four weeks. The rats in group I served as negative control (administered with 10 mL normal saline), group II served as positive control (administered with a standard drug Spermovite 50 mg/kg), while groups III-VI were given 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w) of leaf extract respectively. Effect of the leaf extract on sexual organ's weight and blood parameters were determined as well as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) serum levels, and semen characteristics.Results: Oral administration of methanol extract at doses of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg increased the body and sexual organ weights. There was significant increase in serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in the treated groups (III-VI) compared to the control groups(I-II) at p≤0.05. The haematological parameters increased in dose-dependent fashion especially the white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC) and lymphocytes in the experimentally studied rats.Conclusions: Our study showed that B. nivosa crude leaf extract boosts quality of sperm production as well as increases blood parameters in albino rats. Thus, the plant can be useful in the management of male infertility and sexual disorders.Keywords: Breynia nivosa, Sperm boosting, Haematological parameters, Male albino rat

Aeropalynological Investigation of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Hay fever allergy could either be from pollen or fungi spores. Using theHirst model of pollen trap, pollen buckets were constructed; with pollen trap solutions inside them, they were placed in specific locations in the  University of Ilorin for four months (December 2012/January 2013 to  March/April 2013). Using acetolysis reaction, pollens and spores were  recovered from the trap solution and were analyzed and identified in the microscope. Pollen/spore were counted and compared with meteorologicalparameters i.e. rainfall, sunshine, wind speed, humidity, and temperature. It was observed that pollen/spore concentrations were influenced by these meteorological factors. Hence there is need for us to always determine the amount of these pollen/spore concentrations all year round as it will help to predict the vegetation of a given area as well as helping hay fever sufferers manage their allergies effectively. ©JASEMKEYWORDS: Hey fever, meteorological parameters, pollens, spores, climate, University of Ilorin

Characterization of a New Biotype Moringa of Saudi Arabia Using Rapd and Issr Markers

Moringa peregrina and M. oleifera are the only Moringa species found in Saudi Arabia. Both species are drought resistant and have very high nutritional and medicinal properties. Detection of genetic diversity is of great value for the improvement of nutritional and medicinal value of these plants. The aim of the present study was to characterize a new biotype Moringa observed in Al Bahah Region, Saudi Arabia. We used 11 RAPD and 15 ISSR primers to characterize and compare the new biotype with M. peregrina and M. oleifera. Level of polymorphism generated by each marker was calculated. We also calculate Nei and Li\u27s coefficient to measure the genetic distance between the studied species. Level of polymorphism generated by RAPD and ISSR was 46% and 57%, respectively. RAPD and ISSR primers revealed that the new biotype shared 55 amplicons (45.08%) with both M. peregrina and M. oleifera, 28 amplicons with M. peregrina (22.95%), 21 amplicons (17.21%) with M. oleifera, and displayed 18 unshared amplicons (14.75%). Based on RAPD data, genetic distance between M. oleifera and M. peregrina was 0.32, whereas genetic distance between the new biotype and M. oleifera and M. peregrina was 0.21 and 0.29, respectively. For ISSR data, genetic distance between M. oleifera and M. peregrina was 0.5, whereas genetic distance between the new biotype and M. oleifera and M. peregrina was 0.36 and 0.34, respectively. Based on these results we suggested that the new biotype is a hybrid crossbred between M. peregrina and M. oleifera