Effect of Computer Simulation and Jigsaw Technique in Teaching Reproductive System in Human in Senior Secondary Schools Minna Metropolis, Niger State

The conventional method of teaching is most common in Nigeria and researchers have shown that this method has led to poor performance of students in Biology and in other subjects. Researchers have been able to ascertain that students will learn best when they participate in the teaching-learning process. This study examined the effects of Computer simulation and jigsaw technique on the performance of senior secondary school students in Biology in Minna metropolis, Niger state. The study also investigated gender differences in the performance of Male and Female students in Biology. The sample used consists of seventy-eight (78) Senior Secondary (SSII) Biology students. Twenty-six (26) students consisting of thirteen (13) males and thirteen (13) females were randomly selected from each school. The schools were randomly assigned to Experimental group 1, Experimental group 2 and Control group. Experimental group 1 (n=26) was treated with jigsaw technique, experimental group 2 (n=26) was treated with computer simulation, while the control group (n=26) was treated with convectional teaching method. Quasi-experimental design employing pre-test, treatment and post-test was adopted. The test instrument used for the study was a twenty (20) multiple-choice Biology Achievement Test (BAT) questions. The test had a reliability index of 0.72 determined using split- half reliability approach.  The data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), t-test, mean, standard deviation and mean gains. Three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Treatments used had significant effects on students’ Post-test achievement score. Students exposed to Computer simulation and jigsaw technique performed better than their counterparts who were taught with conventional teaching method (F=8.811, df=2, 75 P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the performance of the Male and Female students taught with both Computer simulation and jigsaw technique. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that biology teachers should adopt computer simulation technique and jigsaw technique in teaching Biology concepts in view of its high facilitative effect on students’ performanc

PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF ALAU DAM CONSTRUCTION IN ALAU COMMUNITY, KONDUGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

This research focuses on identifying the problems and prospects of Alau dam construction in Alau community on Konduga local government area of Borno state. The construction of the dam though, has contributed to the development of various activities in Alau community, but has also resulted in various problems as well as loss of lives and property, loss of arable agricultural land, forced resettlement and destruction of farmlands leading to low yield. Data was garnered based on questionnaire administration, interviews and observations. The questionnaire was administered based on households, taking 5% of the total of 1154 households; using systematic sampling technique which gives a sample households of 58. Data was collected on the general information of the respondents, problems, threats and benefits of the construction of Alau dam in Alau community. The data was presented in tables and analyses was done by extracting the major occurrences using percentages which then further discussed with recommendations made to harness the prospects and mitigate the problems

PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEASE EXTRACTED FROM “YATSIN BIRI” GINGER (Zingiber officinale) CULTIVAR OF NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA

enzymes for cheese making and related processes have ignited a flame of scientific enquiries on the possibility and suitability of their substitution by other enzymes of plant sources. In this study, ammonium sulphate fractionation, characterization and milk clotting activity (MCA) of protease extracted from YatsinBiri ginger rhizome cultivar of the family Zingiberaceae from northwestern Nigeria were analysed. The protease extracted showed optimum activity at 50 °C and pH value of 5.5. Relative activity of the enzyme was also observed within a broad pH range of 4.5 to 7.0 accordingly. The enzyme was completely denatured at 100 °C and alkaline pH of 11.5. The milk clotting property of the protease indicated 2.83 and 1.81 folds of MCA and MSCA respectively in relation to commercial calf rennet with MCA/PA ratio of 2.18. These properties of YatsinBiri ginger protease, especially its milk clotting activity, broad pH ranges and moderately elevated temperature of 50 °C, may favour its suitability as substitute calf rennet in the food industries, especially incheese making and related product

PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF ALAU DAM CONSTRUCTION IN ALAU COMMUNITY, KONDUGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

This research focuses on identifying the problems and prospects of Alau dam construction in Alau community on Konduga local government area of Borno state. The construction of the dam though, has contributed to the development of various activities in Alau community, but has also resulted in various problems as well as loss of lives and property, loss of arable agricultural land, forced resettlement and destruction of farmlands leading to low yield. Data was garnered based on questionnaire administration, interviews and observations. The questionnaire was administered based on households, taking 5% of the total of 1154 households; using systematic sampling technique which gives a sample households of 58. Data was collected on the general information of the respondents, problems, threats and benefits of the construction of Alau dam in Alau community. The data was presented in tables and analyses was done by extracting the major occurrences using percentages which then further discussed with recommendations made to harness the prospects and mitigate the problems

Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Borreria verticillata Species of Sudano-Sahelian Savanna on CCl4 Induced Hepatotoxicity

Preliminary phytochemical screening of Borreria verticillata species of Sudano-Sahelian savanna and the effect of aqueous leaf extract of the plant were studied in CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity rats. Screening of the aqueous extract indicates the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, sterol and saponins. While athraquinone was absent. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP) and bilirubin (BL) were analysed in rats intraperitoneally administered with 100 mg/kg CCl4 followed by oral treatment with 300mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of B. verticillata for 48 and 96hrs. The rats treated for 48 hours after had serum AST, ALT, ALP, TP and BL levels not statistically different (P>0.05) compared to both normal control and positive control (treated with 100mg/kg standard drug) although the value of positive control was slightly lower than the test values. However, the test values were statistically lower compared to toxicity control at P< 0.05. The serum AST, ALT, ALP, TP and BL levels when the treatment was extended to 96 hours showed similar pattern to 48 hours treatment. Even though the test values with respect to the enzymes activity were slightly lower in the extended treatment. This result indicates the hepatocurative properties of aqueous leaf extract of B. verticillata on CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity rats, which could be attributed to its phytochemical contents. Keywords: Borreria verticillata, Hepatotoxicity, Hepatocurative, Aqueous leaf extract, CCL

In-silico Investigation of the Interaction between Beta-class Glutathione S-Transferase and Five Antibiotics, namely; Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol, Ciprofloxacin and Cephalexin

Glutathione s-transferases(GSTs) are enzymes involved in the conjugation and deactivation of various xenobiotics including drugs. Thisin-silico study was undertaken in order to investigate the interaction between beta-class glutathione s-transferase and five selected antibiotics, namely; ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and cephalexin using molecular docking study. RaptorX server was used to predict the amino acids involved at the binding sitewhile molecular docking study was employed in order to investigate the binding interactions.RaptorX predicted several amino acids which were different from the ones observed in molecular docking because of the variability in the substrate binding site of GSTs however, all the amino acids predicted by RaptorX were also found to be involved in the GSH binding.Lys107, Phe109, Ser110, Leu113, Trp114, His115 and Arg123, Leu168 were the amino acids involved in the binding of various antibiotics to the substrate binding site of the protein while Ala9, Cys10, Leu32, Tyr51, Val52, Pro53, Glu65 and Ala66were involved in the binding of the co-substrate GSH to the binding site of the protein. The results indicated that all the antibiotics showed a good binding affinity with the beta class GST and are therefore capable of deactivating the drugs. With these, finding a beta class GST inhibitors alongside antibiotics during a treatment of diseases will be of beneficial in the current fight against antibiotic resistance

Lupeol Acetate Isolated from n-Hexane Extract of Tapinanthus globiferus Leaf

A study was carried out to isolate and characterise Lupeol Acetate from the leaves of Tapinanthus globiferus. The dried pulverized plant material was extracted for 24 hours with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol solvents. The /n-hexane fraction obtained was subjected to column chromatography followed by preparative thin layer chromatography, which resulted in isolation of a colourless crystalline compound. The spectral data (1H NMR, 13C NMR and FTIR) and literature comparison infer that the isolated compound is a pentacyclic triterpenoid namely Lupeol Acetate.Keywords: Tapinanthus globiferus, Lupeol Acetate, Structure elucidatio

Survey on Social Media Network Participation, Impact on Biology Students’ Performance in Senior Secondary Schools in Minna Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria

This study looks at social media network participation. its evident impact on performance on senior secondary School students in biology, the study was aimed at identifying social media network sites and their usage among students, how students networked and participated on social media networks, time invested by students on social networks, the effects of social media networks participation on student's academic performance within the context of the social learning and the axe and gratification theories. To achieve the objectives of the research, the study used a mixed method approach which involved the survey of students in jour senior secondary schools and interviews of heads of the schools. The study revealed that majority of respondents used social networks for chatting for downloading videos, music and listening to music. In addition, majority of respondents experienced negative effects such as, late submission of assignment, less study time and poor performance in biology and addiction problems due to the heavy participation on social media networks Furthermore. there was a high addiction rate among students in the usage of social media network., Nevertheless, there were few cases where other students experienced improvement on their performances as a result of participation on social media networks. Recommendations generated from the research studies were: students should reduce their exposure to social media and pay more attention to their studies, students, especially those willing to record huge academic success should guide themselves against the use of social media and the government, schools and other well to do individuals .should encourage hard work by rewarding successful students through Scholarship schemes and other incentives

AN EXAMINATION OF BOKO HARAM CONFLICT AND FISHERS CHILDREN EDUCATION UNDER THE BACKGROUND OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL IN BORNO STATE OF NIGERIA

The study focused on an examination of Boko Haram conflict and fishers’ children education under the background of sustainable development goal in Borno state of Nigeria. Interview for the research work was carried on available displaced fishermen and other people (IDPs) involved in fishing activities in major fish market of the state (Baga Motor Park) within the period of thirty (30) days; from 04th of the months, February to 04th March, 2022. Data for the study was obtained from a primary and secondary sources and was analyzed with the application of qualitative technique. The result of the study revealed that Boko Haram conflict does not affect the level of consciousness and commitment in the promotion of education but have negative effect on the free basic education and has affected long-life equitable and inclusive quality education learning opportunities of fishers’ children education in the study area. Recommendation were made for the attainment of sustainable fishers’ children education through formation of international forum, devising a means of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced fishers and vigorous sensitization campaign on awareness creation in the study area

Review of patients with chronic suppurative otitis media in the National Ear care centre, Kaduna Nigeria.

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the most common condition presenting to Otolaryngological clinics, often patients present late with consequent complications that require surgical intervention. This study aimed to review the mode of clinical presentation, modality and outcome of treatment of CSOM seen at NECC Kaduna. Methodology:This was a retrospective study carried out in the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna for a period of 3 years; from January 2016 - December 2018. Results: Two hundred and thirty-four patients with CSOM were studied. There were 127 males and 107 females making M: F =1.2:1. The age range was from 8-60years with a mean age of 26.5±12.6years. The age group 11-20 (31.2%) had the highest number. Majority presented with hearing loss and ear discharge 228(97.4%) and 182(77.8%) respectively. Other symptoms were otalgia, tinnitus, vertigo and nasal symptoms. Eleven (4.7%) had complications at presentation. Ninety-two (39.3%) had surgery, 64 had only aural toileting and dressing with topical antibiotic with recorded success as majority achieved dry ear, while 38 patients were lost to follow up. Postoperative complications include; loss of taste sensation, facial nerve palsy, recurrent/persistent ear discharge, persistent dizziness, and infection of the donor site and no mortality was recorded. Conclusion: One-third of the patients who benefitted from surgery had a good outcome and for those with conservative treatment, the majority achieved dry ear. Early presentation is advised to avoid complications