PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF THE GEOGRAPHY FIELD PROJECT SCORE ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN THE GEOGRAPHY THEORY IN CHOMA, ZAMBIA

The study investigated the predictive validity of students’ scores in Geography Field Project on their final scores in Geography Theory examination. The predictors were Geography Field Project in terms of Observation, Recording and Interpretation while the criterion was the score in the final Theory examination in Geography. This study was an ex-post facto type of the descriptive research design because all the variables used had already occurred and therefore were not manipulated. The population consisted of all the grade twelve students from all the thirteen High Schools in Choma District, Zambia, who sat for the Geography examinations in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. The population for the study consisted of all the 1950 students who sat for Geography examination in all the schools in the years under study. Seven hundred and eighty (780) students were selected and used for the study. The only research instrument used was a format designed for recording all necessary information in respect of students used for the study. The data collected were analysed using the descriptive statistics, regression analysis, Analysis of Variance and multiple comparison. The study revealed that students’ performance in Geography Field Project and Geography Theory final Examinations were on the average. Geography Field Project in terms of Interpretation and Observation accounted for 79.7% variance in students’ performance in Geography Theory Examination. Interpretation accounted for 79.6% while Observation accounted for 0.1%. The positive beta value shows that the more students were able to interpret and carry out observations; the better was their performance in Geography Theory Examinations. The overall mean score in Geography Field Project accounted for 79.7% variance in performance in Geography Theory Examination. The positive beta value of .560 indicated that the more students performed in Geography Field Project, the better their performance in Geography Theory Examination. There is no significant difference in the performance of students in Geography Final Examination Scores according to year of examination. It was however observed that there was a continuous decline in performance of students from 2009 through 2011

INFLUENCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION ON EMPLOYABILITY AS PERCEIVED BY LECTURERS OF UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, NIGERIA

This study investigated the perception of university lecturers on influence of higher education on employability across the variables of gender, length of service and faculty. Sixty lecturers from five out of the eleven faculties in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria responded to three hypothetical scenario formulated to measure their perception. Findings of the study revealed that respondents perceived that science-oriented faculties have higher levels of influence on employability. Specifically, the faculties of science and technology and agriculture were ranked highest in this direction. However, the responses from the sample revealed no significant difference in their perception based on gender and length of service. These findings underscored the need for higher education to take an overtly focus on its academic provision in such that the demands of global labour market is taken into account. Thus, there is the need to rejuvenate university lecturers through induction programmes that would update and equip them on the global expectations on employability of youths

Observation for spoilage in fish and beef in a daily simulated local market style of Southwestern, Nigeria

The degree of spoilage of fish and beef in a daily simulated market style of southwest, Nigeria was determined by Trimethylamine (TMA) levels in each sample using the standard pictrate technique. 100g of each of the three different parts of a bull (liver, meaty and fatty tissues) and fresh African cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) (liver, meaty portion and head) were purchased twice a week for five weeks from the abattoir and Oja-Oba market in Akure respectively. The samples were subjected to ambient temperature and their degree of spoilage was assessed after 3 hours, 6 hours and 9 hours of purchase. The results showed that, there was no significant difference (P≥ 0.05) in the effect of time (hours) on TMA concentration in different parts of the fish and bull samples, though, the mean concentration of TMA in the fish samples increased with time. However, the degree of spoilage is slower in the bull compared to the fish samples but higher in the late evening (9 hours). Hence, buying and selling of beef in the late evening should be discouraged to avoid consumption of unwholesome meat with high TMA concentrations, while fish should be stored-frozen and sold in deep freezers

Prostaglandin levels and semen quality in male partners of infertile couples in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Objective: To provide data on semen prostaglandins in Nigerian men and relate this to fertility potential as provided by semen analysis results.Design: Prospective studySetting: Infertility Clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, NigeriaSubjects: All male partners of infertile couples who reported for male factor test at the clinic and agreed to be part of the study by completing informed consent forms.Results: The study revealed a high percentage of men with sub-normal semen .Range of PGF2a in the subjects was 0.15-11.05ƒÊg/ml with a mean of 2.77} 0.23 ƒÊg/ml while that of PGE was 21.8- 652.0 ƒÊg/mlwith a mean of 248.79} 13.88 ƒÊg/ml. Among men with normal semen profile, mean PGF2a and PGE levels are 2.1} 0.32 ƒÊg/ml and 325.1} 28.3 ƒÊg/ml respectively while that in semen of men with subnormal semen are 3.0} 0.28 ƒÊg/ml and 225.1 } 15.1ƒÊg/ml respectively. Despite the wide range of PG values in all the groups, significant differences(P<0.05) were found to exist between the PG values of men in the normal and sub normal semen groups. Significant differences were also found when theywere grouped according to sperm count alone. However, differences observed when in the grouping according to other individual semen characteristics are not significant.Conclusion: The wide range of PG values obtained in all the groups make it difficult to make far reaching conclusions as to the relationship between PG levels and semen quality. Further research is desirable in establishing the role of PGs in sperm function

Prostaglandin levels and semen quality in male partners of infertile couples in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

The study revealed a high percentage of men with sub-normal semen .Range of PGF2á in the subjects was 0.15-11.05µg/ml with a mean of 2.77± 0.23 µg/ml while that of PGE was 21.8- 652.0 µg/ml with a mean of 248.79± 13.88 µg/ml. Among men with normal semen profile, mean PGF2á and PGE levels are 2.1± 0.32 µg/ml and 325.1± 28.3 µg/ml respectively while that in semen of men with subnormal semen are 3.0± 0.28 µg/ml and 225.1 ± 15.1µg/ml respectively. Despite the wide range of PG values in all the groups, significant differences(P<0.05) were found to exist between the PG values of men in the normal and sub normal semen groups. Significant differences were also found when they were grouped according to sperm count alone. However, differences observed when in the grouping according to other individual semen characteristics are not significant. Conclusion: The wide range of PG values obtained in all the groups make it difficult to make far reaching conclusions as to the relationship between PG levels and semen quality. Further research is desirable in establishing the role of PGs in sperm function

Influence Of Smartphone Attributes On Student’s Buying Decision In Lagos State Tetiary Institutions

The study was carried out to evaluate the influence of smartphone attributes on student’s buying decision in Lagos State Tertiary Institutions. Research design adopted was purely descriptive, employing cross sectional survey method in data collection. Data for the study were generated through the use of structured questionnaire and administered to a sample of 362 out of 3,792 students in selected tertiary institutions in Lagos State. Data collected were analyzed using Multiple Regression Analysis. The results showed that all smartphone attributes considered in the study were found to be positively and significantly related to student’s buying decision. Specifically, technology attribute has highest impact on student’s buying decisions, followed by application and price attributes. The study concluded that technology, application and price are considered the most top three attributes that significantly influenced student’s buying decision of Smartphone. It was recommended that firms should focus on improving their technology in other to bring about innovative features and application, and more importantly adopt variety of price strategies while not neglecting the image and design attributes, as these were regarded as secondary attributes in determining consumers’ choice of Smartphone

Social presence and dynamics of group communication: an analysis of a health professionals WhatsApp group chats

WhatsApp has become a medium of communication with the potential of promoting collaborative environment with peers, patients and general population. Till date, no analysis of professional WhatsApp groups' activities exists in physiotherapy. The official WhatsApp group chats of the Association of Clinical and Academic Physiotherapists of Nigeria (ACAPN) was analyzed. A total of 20760 chats were gleaned from July 2020 to June 2021. Videos, audios and emoticons were excluded in the analysis. Administrative permission to conduct was obtained from ACAPN leadership. Two consenting physiotherapists who had never deleted their ACAPN group chats shared and exported all chats to a Gmail. The social presence theory for group communication was used as the framework of analysis. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages were used to summarize data. Based on social presence theory classifications, interactive messages (64.5%) followed by cohesive messages (30%) were predominant. Members used the platform more for expression of emotions affectively (100%), referring explicitly to others' messages interactively (56.6%) and for greetings (phatic and salutation) cohesively (61.8%). Qualitative themes indicate that all three categories of social presence theory communications were present sufficiently with interactive category being the most common, as members used the WhatsApp platform to interact, construct and share knowledge. Group WhatsApp platform is a veritable means of communication and an indicator of level of social presence among Nigerian physiotherapists. Communication among Nigerian physiotherapists is mostly interactive, then cohesive and affective in terms of dynamics

Homeostatic Regulation of Salmonella-Induced Mucosal Inflammation and Injury by IL-23

IL-12 and IL-23 regulate innate and adaptive immunity to microbial pathogens through influencing the expression of IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-22. Herein we define the roles of IL-12 and IL-23 in regulating host resistance and intestinal inflammation during acute Salmonella infection. We find that IL-23 alone is dispensable for protection against systemic spread of bacteria, but synergizes with IL-12 for optimal protection. IL-12 promotes the production of IFN-γ by NK cells, which is required for resistance against Salmonella and also for induction of intestinal inflammation and epithelial injury. In contrast, IL-23 controls the severity of inflammation by inhibiting IL-12A expression, reducing IFN-γ and preventing excessive mucosal injury. Our studies demonstrate that IL-23 is a homeostatic regulator of IL-12-dependent, IFN-γ-mediated intestinal inflammation