Work Facets Predicting Overall Job Satisfaction among Teachers in Selected Secondary schools in Ibadan South-West Nigeria: A Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire Survey

Background: Global measures are often used to assess employees’ job satisfaction. However, important information is lost when this approach is  adopted. The use of multidimensional approach provides robust information for potential intervention. This study aimed to assess the work facets  predicting the overall single-item job satisfaction measure among teachers in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 476 secondary school teachers selected using a multistage sampling  method. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection while data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. The Minnesota Satisfaction  Questionnaire (MSQ) and a single-item satisfaction measure assessed satisfaction. A linear regression model of the overall job satisfaction was developed. P-value ≤ 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of respondents was 38.1±9.0 years. Majority of respondents were females 263 (55.3%) and married 363 (76.3%). The  respondents expressed above average satisfaction with all work facets except compensation 161 (33.8%) and work conditions 223 (46.8%). The work  facets which significantly predicted overall job satisfaction included: supervision-human relations (β = 0.121: 95% CI = 0.013 to 0.229; p = 0.028);policies & practices (β = 0.111: 95% CI = 0.021 to 0.201; p = 0.016); compensation (β =0.125: 95% CI = 0.035 to 0.214; p = 0.006) and recognition (β = 0.113: 95% CI = 0.006 to 0.220; p = 0.039) Conclusion: Overall job satisfaction was mostly predicted by factors extrinsic to the job, so these could be specifically targeted for interventions to  improve job satisfaction among teachers

Responses of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa [Hochst. Ex A. Rich]) accessions to viral diseases and serological identification of the associated viruses

African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) is an orphan crop with lofty nutraceutical benefits grown in Africa. However, pests and diseases often hinder its productivity. Twenty accessions of African yam bean (AYB) were screened for resistance to viral diseases and symptomatic leaves were indexed for the presence of viruses. The Field experiments were conducted during the 2015/2016 cropping seasons (wet and dry seasons). The twenty accessions were grown in triplicates in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) on the field under natural infection and the resistance or susceptibility responses were recorded using visual symptom expression. The characteristic symptoms that were highly prevalent were leaf mosaic and leaf distortion. In both seasons, there were significant (P< 0.05) differences in the severity of these viral symptoms. Also, based on the severity of the symptoms observed in this study, 2 accessions were classified as resistant, 16 as susceptible and 2 accessions as highly susceptible. Two viruses were identified serologically namely Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus (CPMMV) and Blackeye Cowpea Mosaic Virus (BlCMV). The sources of resistance identified in this study would be useful for breeders in developing virus resistant varieties for African yam bean improvement. Keywords: African yam bean, Virus, Symptoms, ACP-Elisa, Screening

Gaussian beam divergence using paraxial approximation

Gaussian beam intensity follows a normal distribution curve in free space. As it propagates, the divergence and the width increase with distance. Using paraxial approximation, the effect of the distance on the intensity, width, radius of curvature and divergence was investigated. Matlab software was used for characteristics parameters calculation. The divergence angle range (26.67o≤ θ ≤35.85o) was obtained at a distance between 3mm and 4mm, and compared with the divergence angle range (43o≤ θ ≤53o) obtained experimentally for the distance between 3mm and 4.5mm. The result obtained in this work indicates smaller angles of divergence that can produce a better beam quality and intensity. Finally, this will serve as a great importance for application such as pointing, free space optical communication etc.Keyword: Gaussian beam, Paraxial approximation, Beam divergence, Normal distribution curve

Culture trial of (Peneaus) Penaeus monodon in concrete tank

Culture trial of the Tiger Shrimp (Peneaus monodon) was carried out in one of the grow-out concrete tanks at Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Victoria Island, Lagos. A total of 264 post larvae of P. monodon (PL 30) produced at the Institute’s shrimp hatchery complex were used for the experiment which lasted for 157 days. Coppens Catco feed of 0.8 - 1.2mm size was used to feed the post larvae throughout the duration of the experiment. The results showed that the shrimps grew from an initial mean body weight of 1.763g at stocking to 19.538g at the end of the experiment. The daily growth rate was 0.113g/day while specific growth rate was 1.532 %. Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) was 3.362 while survival rate was 90%. The study has shown that P. monodon can be successfully cultured in concrete tanks. However further studies aimed at improving growth rate will be undertaken

Collection of broodstock and juveniles of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii from the wild

A total of 457 broodstock and 143,000 juveniles of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii were collected at Isheri Olofin area and Okunmanya River over a period of time. They were transported live to the shrimp hatchery of NIOMR in Lagos. Live transportation of the broodstock of M.vollenhovenii with body weight ranging from 71.0-264.5g in liter-capacity plastic containers half-filled with water, recorded 98-100% survival rate between 80-110 minutes transportation time. However, live transportation of the juvenile in 50 liters capacity plastic containers without water recorded survival rates ranging from 20-66% while those carried with water and aerated recorded 12.5-93.75%. An air conditioned vehicle was used during the live transportation. Higher mortality rate was recorded for the juvenile than the broodstocks due to large number transported in additoin to the small-size gear used for trapping the jiveniles. The study has developed a simple technology for the collection and transportation of live specimens of broodstock and juveniles of M. vollenhovenii. Efforts will be made to increase survival of the juveniles through the use of larger containers and gears

YIELD RESPONSE OF DIALLELIC CROSSED MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) GENOTYPES TO VARYING NITROGEN REGIMES IN NIGERIA

Context: Development of early maturing maize cultivars that remain productive under low N fertilizer farming system, consistent with the farmers’ technologies is a prerequisite to improving adoption of new varieties without increasing production cost. Objective: To assess the performance of ten early open pollination maize varieties (OPVs) and their F1 hybrids for grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and also identify productive cultivars under low N fertilizer regimes. Materials and Methods: The trials were set up in a split plot arrangement with three N fertilizer levels (0, 45 and 90 kg N ha-1) as main plot and the genotypes as sub-plot. Each plot within N level was four-row, laid out in a randomized complete block design of four replications. Ten OPVs were crossed in a half diallel to generate 45 F1 hybrids during 2004 and 2005 growing seasons. Planting were carried out on 20th July, 2005 and 2nd July, 2006. Agronomic characters studied were grain yield, maize establishment count, days to 50% tasselling and silking as well as plant and ear heights. Results: The year 2005 growing season was better for all observed characters amongst all the genotypes than the year 2006. Although, expressions of these traits in the hybrids were relatively higher than the OPVs including the grain yield. The total increase in grain yield observed was 1.72 t ha-1 and 1.95 t ha-1 for OPVs and hybrids respectively on application of 90 kg ha-1 over no N-application. However, NUE was optimum at 45 kg N ha-1 in both groups. Grain yield and NUE correlated positively with growth characters measured except for days to 50% silking. Higher genetic gains were recorded for plant and ear heights. Conclusion: Two drought tolerant varieties (Acr 90 Pool 16-Dt and Tze Comp3 Dt) that combined well with specific cultivars for grain yield and NUE probably have gene pools for low N-tolerance. Keywords: Nitrogen use efficiency, diallel crosses, maize cultivars, open pollinated varietie

Effects of Crude Oil contaminated Water on the reproductive system of Female Wistar Rats

The rising level of infertility in the females have been associated with environmental pollutants and one such pollutants is crude oil. Crude oil pollution occurs in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria and interaction with this toxicant by both humans and animals may adversely the female reproductive system. This study was designed to investigate the effect of crude oil contaminated water on reproductive functions in female Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) female rats weighing between 140g-230g were used for this study and the rats were divided into three (3) groups (1, 2 and 3) and each group had five rats. Group 1 was the control group while group 2 and 3 were the test groups receiving 2.5mls and 5mls of crude oil contaminated water twice daily for four weeks. The stages of Oestrus cycle of the rats were checked daily. The rats were sacrificed after four weeks and the blood collected were used for hormonal assays (Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Testosterone). The uterus and ovaries were used for histology (Haematoxylin and Eosin staining), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. The results were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software for windows and data were expressed as mean±standard error of mean. Statistical significance was accepted at p<0.05. There was no significant changes (p>0.05) in the weights and relative reproductive organ weights (uterus and ovary) of among the three groups. FSH and LH in the test group of rats fed with crude oil contaminated water when compared with the control were not statistically significant (p<0.05). Oestradiol was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the test group whereas progesterone and progesterone-oestradiol ratio was significantly elevated (p<0.05) in the test groups when compared with the control. There were degenerative changes in the ovaries and uterus of rats fed with crude oil contaminated water when compared with the control. SOD was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in the test group while MDA was elevated in the ovaries and uterus of the test group. The oestrus cycle was irregular in the test groups.   Crude oil contaminated water has endocrine disrupting effects on the female reproductive system as well as inducing oxidative stress and this may adversely affect female reproductive functions and fertility. KEY WORDS: Crude oil contaminated water, Endocrine disruptor, Female reproductive functions, Oxidative stress DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/72-05 Publication date: June 30th 202

Design and construction of a shrimp hatchery for the breeding of the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

A shrimp hatchery for the breeding of the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon was constructed by the Nigeria Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research in 2008 by the reconstruction of an existing old shrimp hatchery. The new shrimp hatchery comprises of the following: water treatment, water storage, broodstock maturation, spawning/incubation, nursery and micro-algae units. The design included the construction of a concrete sump for the collection and treatment of wastewater before disposal, in addition to an aeration unit equipped with root blower for adequate supply of dissolved oxygen. The reconstructed NIOMR shrimp hatchery has been successfully used for the production of post larvae, which are presently being reared to adult shrimp in concrete tanks. The successful completion of the shrimp hatchery and breeding of P. monodon has confirmed that the species can be spawned and reared to adult size in Nigeria for local and export markets

Whole-genome sequencing reveals host factors underlying critical COVID-19

Critical COVID-19 is caused by immune-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Host genetic variation influences the development of illness requiring critical care1 or hospitalization2,3,4 after infection with SARS-CoV-2. The GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care) study enables the comparison of genomes from individuals who are critically ill with those of population controls to find underlying disease mechanisms. Here we use whole-genome sequencing in 7,491 critically ill individuals compared with 48,400 controls to discover and replicate 23 independent variants that significantly predispose to critical COVID-19. We identify 16 new independent associations, including variants within genes that are involved in interferon signalling (IL10RB and PLSCR1), leucocyte differentiation (BCL11A) and blood-type antigen secretor status (FUT2). Using transcriptome-wide association and colocalization to infer the effect of gene expression on disease severity, we find evidence that implicates multiple genes—including reduced expression of a membrane flippase (ATP11A), and increased expression of a mucin (MUC1)—in critical disease. Mendelian randomization provides evidence in support of causal roles for myeloid cell adhesion molecules (SELE, ICAM5 and CD209) and the coagulation factor F8, all of which are potentially druggable targets. Our results are broadly consistent with a multi-component model of COVID-19 pathophysiology, in which at least two distinct mechanisms can predispose to life-threatening disease: failure to control viral replication; or an enhanced tendency towards pulmonary inflammation and intravascular coagulation. We show that comparison between cases of critical illness and population controls is highly efficient for the detection of therapeutically relevant mechanisms of disease