Determinants of Academic Success in Agricultural Science Subject among Senior Secondary School Students

The study examined determinants of academic success in Agricultural science among senior secondary school students in Oru L.G.A. of Imo State, Nigeria. Cross sectional data generated from 200 students drawn from 2 secondary schools randomly selected from the lists of secondary schools in Oru L.G.A of Imo State was used. Descriptive statistical tools such as percentages and frequency tables, as well as regression analysis were used in analyzing the data. Results of the analysis showed that likeness or interest in agricultural science subject by the students, occupation of the parents of the students, type of accommodation which symbolized environmental influence on the students, the level of teaching experience possessed by the teachers, level of class attendance by the students, togetherness of the parents and the educational level of the parents of these students were statistically significant determinants of academic success in agricultural science subject among senior secondary school 1 and 2 students in the State. It is therefore recommended that the Government should boost and sustain the interests of these students through the provision of the requisite instructional materials. The recruitment of qualified and well experienced teachers was also advocated in order to sustain the interests in agricultural science subject. Keywords: Success, Senior Secondary Students, Agricultural Scienc

Ni(II) Complex of a Novel Schiff Base Derived from Benzaldehyde and Sulphathiazole: Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Studies

Communication in Physical Sciences 2020, 5(2): 145-155 Authors: Ifeanyi. E. Otuokere, J.C. Anyanwu and K.K. IgweReceived 09April 2020/Accepted 01May 2020 New Schiff base and its Ni(II) complex, were synthesized using benzaldehyde and sulphathiazole. They were characterized usingelemental analyser, UV-visible spectrophotometer, FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. IR spectral data suggested that the ligand coordinated to nickel ions through two azomethine nitrogen, and one amine nitrogen. Electronic spectral measurement indicated the occurrence of ligand to metal charge transfer. Based on the continuous variation method, metal: ligand ratio of 1:1 was proposed. Elemental analysis and spectroscopic studies suggested that the Schiff base behaved as a tridentate ligand towards nickel ion. Antibacterial sensitivity of the ligand and its Ni (II) complex were assayed in vitro against Staphylococcusaureus, Echerichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi. It was observed that the Ni(II) complex was more potent than the Schiff base against the bacterial strains used. Therefore, the Schiff base and its Ni(II) complex may inhibit bacterial infections caused by E.coli, P.aeruginosa,S. typhi and S.aureus. The Ni(II) complex showed enhanced antibacterial activity when compared with the pure the Schiff base.&nbsp

Assessment of the Teleconnection Between El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and West African Rainfall

In this study, rainfall variability over Nigeria was analysed in relation to ocean-atmospheric interaction due to ENSO event. Monthly rainfall data were collected from Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) from six (6) synoptic stations selected across three (3) geographical regions in Nigeria for a period of 26 years (1988 - 2013). Cluster analysis grouped the rainfall data into three clusters namely Coastal South, Middle belt and Sahel North, while Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) data from 1988 to 2013 was retrieved from National Ocean Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as updated by the National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Rainfall Analysis Index (RAI) was computed for each of the three sub-regions and respective anomalies revealed in a time series. Additionally, linear correlation analysis between the RAI and SOI were computed at lag three months to determine any relationship between ENSO and Nigerian rainfall. The result shows that correlation between RAI and SOI were not uniformly significant, with Region 1 having a positive correlation and a negative correlation recorded for regions 2 and 3. Likewise, simple matrix confirm for region 1 the positive rainfall anomalies occurring during warm ENSO phase. How forecast will be improved if ENSO indices are included as precursor variables in rainfall forecast for the region will be of interest.Key Words: El Nino Southern Oscillation, Nigerian rainfall, Southern Oscillation Index (SOI

New wine in old wine skin : an assessment of African Union’s peace and security initiatives in Africa

Abstract: The need for continental freedom, peace, security, and unity were among the major reasons for the formation of Organization of African Unity (OAU). This organization fought acidulously to guarantee independence for the African countries and end apartheid regime in South Africa. With time, both intended and unintended internal activities of independent African countries led to series of conflicts that jeopardized the peace, security and unity of the continent. The need for a more dogged organization that would fit into the trending globalization and create peace and security in the continent therefore led to the formation of the African Union (AU). This research therefore employed qualitative historical method of data collection and analysis as a way juxtaposing the extents the two organizations went in maintaining peace, security and unity of the continent. It tried to examine the extent AU was different from the OAU. The study weighed the strengths and weaknesses of the two organizations. Some of the weaknesses were evident: the OAU was more like a toothless bulldog as it failed in many occasions to back plans with actions; the AU also beclouds the Article 4(h) with conceptual ambiguities that retard its functionalities. The strength of the OAU is evident in the attainment of independence while the AU can boast of success in peacebuilding in the post-Cold War Africa. The study recommended increased peacebuilding efforts and transformative national leadership as the sustainable road to African peace, security and development

Oxidation of cadaverine by putrescine oxidase from Rhodococcus erythropolis

BACKGROUNDPutrescine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.10) is of interest for the microbial production of unsubstituted platform nitrogen (N-)heterocycles, because it only requires inexpensive oxygen as co-substrate. Putrescine oxidase from Rhodococcus erythropolis (Re-PuO) was shown previously to catalyze the oxidation of cadaverine; however, there is little information in the literature about the robustness of this enzyme for biotechnological applications. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of Re-PuO for the bioproduction of 1-piperideine from cadaverine under different reaction conditions.RESULTSThe formation of 1-piperideine catalyzed by Re-PuO was demonstrated using o-aminobenzaldehyde as a reagent to trap the cyclic imine and shift the equilibrium for cyclization. A direct assay of Re-PuO activity for cadaverine oxidation was then implemented, by monitoring oxygen consumption. Characterization of the reaction mixture by 1H NMR and mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of piperideine dimers and trimers, yet the quantification of the reaction products could not be achieved. The optimum temperature and pH conditions for enzyme activity were determined as 55 °C and 8.5, respectively. At pH 7.5, the enzyme retained its activity after 65 h incubation at 25 °C, but lost 75% of its activity after 1 h incubation at 55 °C. The enzyme showed no substrate inhibition at concentrations as high as 100 mmol L–1 cadaverine. Complete biotransformation of cadaverine was observed in whole cells at physiological conditions.CONCLUSIONSThese results successfully demonstrate the potential of putrescine oxidase for the bioproduction of N-heterocycles from cadaverine. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)

Emotional Intelligence: Practices to Manage and Develop It

Emotional intelligence (EI) describes the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions, both in oneself and in others. It has strongly emerged as a game changer, playing crucial roles in various aspects of human development, including interpersonal relationships, academic and professional success, and overall well-being. Despite the unprecedented impact of emotional intelligence in human development, happiness and survival, it seems to have been given inadequate attention or ignored entirely by some people. Worse still, in some professional curricula, little or no attention has been given to it. This research paper explores the significance of emotional intelligence and presents strategies for enhancing emotional intelligence through strengthening self-management, self-awareness, relationship management and social awareness activities

Improvement of attention span and reaction time with hyperbaric oxygen treatment in patients with toxic injury due to mold exposure

It is, by now, well established that mold toxins (mycotoxins) can cause significant adverse health effects. In this study, 15 subjects who developed an attention deficit disorder (ADD) and slowing of reaction time at the time of exposure to mold toxins were identified. Deficits in attention span and reaction time were documented not only by taking a careful history, but also by performing a Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). The TOVA test provides an objective measure of these two variables. It was found that mold-exposed subjects show statistically significant decreases in attention span and significant increases in reaction time to stimuli compared to controls. After ten sessions of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT), a statistically significant improvement was seen in both measures. This preliminary study suggests promising outcomes in treating mold-exposed patients with hyperbaric oxygen

Gene expression dysregulation domains are not a specific feature of Down syndrome

Down syndrome (DS), trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21), results in a broad range of phenotypes. A recent study reported that DS cells show genome-wide transcriptional changes in which up- or down-regulated genes are clustered in gene expression dysregulation domains (GEDDs). GEDDs were also reported in fibroblasts derived from a DS mouse model duplicated for some Hsa21-orthologous genes, indicating cross-species conservation of this phenomenon. Here we investigate GEDDs using the Dp1Tyb mouse model of DS, which is duplicated for the entire Hsa21-orthologous region of mouse chromosome 16. Our statistical analysis shows that GEDDs are present both in DS cells and in Dp1Tyb mouse fibroblasts and hippocampus. However, we find that GEDDs do not depend on the DS genotype but occur whenever gene expression changes. We conclude that GEDDs are not a specific feature of DS but instead result from the clustering of co-regulated genes, a function of mammalian genome organisation