Years of Education and Total Intracranial Volume: A Longitudinal Study

Background: Education is one of the factors that contribute to a higher brain reserve. Based on the brain reserve hypothesis, the greater the brain reserve, the less likely it is to develop a neurocognitive disorder, such as dementia. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies (OASIS) longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in nondemented and demented adults. There was a total of 150 right-handed participants and 373 imaging sessions, with an average duration of 719 days between visits. The primary outcome was estimated total intracranial volume (eTIV). Multivariable longitudinal regression was used to determine the relationship between years of education and eTIV, while adjusting for age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Results: We found a significant association between years of education and eTIV. For every additional year of education, there was an increase in eTIV by an average of 14.1 cm3 (Mean difference [MD]: 14.09, 95%CI: 4.44–23.74). However, after adjusting for age, gender, and socioeconomic status, there was no association between years of education and eTIV (MD: 6.23, 95%CI: -5.60 – -18.06). The association between years of education and eTIV was found to be modified by gender (MD: -25.30, 95%CI: -44.85 – -5.75). Conclusion: This longitudinal study showed a crude relationship between years of education and eTIV which reinforces the brain reserve hypothesis. This study further emphasizes the need for more intense dementia prevention measures for less educated individuals

Paediatricians and trainee paediatricians perspectives on industrial action by medical doctors in Nigeria

Background: Industrial actions have become a common means by which medical doctors attempt to communicate their grievances to the  government. Paediatricians are frequently caught between a desire to support the course of their professional association and caring for their patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the opinion of paediatricians and trainee paediatricians regarding strike actions, the likely cause(s) and their reasons for and against industrial actions as a means for communicating grievances to the government.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires randomly distributed to consenting participants at the 48thAnnual Scientific Conference of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.Results: A total of 102 respondents from the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria returned appropriately filled forms. Fifty-seven (55.9%) were females, 91 (81.2%) were married, 72 (70.6%) were Christians and 49 (48%) were Consultant paediatricians. Poor remuneration (36%), poor working conditions(24.3%) and failure of the government to keep promises to doctors (19.9%) were the top three reasons given for the incessant industrial actions in the recent past. Forty-nine percent of respondents did not support industrial actions, 65% responded that strikes affect the quality of training and practice and (84.3%) volunteer their services during a strike.Conclusions: Industrial actions are not the paediatricians’ preferred means of communicating grievances. Other methods should, therefore, be explored to limit the deleterious effects of industrial actions. Keywords: Paediatrician, Nigeria, industrial action, strike, medical doctors, traine

Key aspects of an effective surgical curriculum for medical students

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An Analysis of the Policy Framework on Electricity in South Africa: A Public Interest Approach

The policy framework on electricity in South Africa includes government’s intention to provide quality and affordable electricity to the people. This article focuses on the issues that affect electrification and their impact towards the goal of achieving universal access to quality and affordable electricity in the country from a policy perspective. The provision of electricity to the poor and previously disadvantaged communities is a matter of social welfare in the country. Hence, the electricity-related policy issues are examined in the context of public interest. In South Africa the identification of limited availability of electricity as a public problem by the post 1994 ANC government has led to an integrated policy framework which focuses on balancing economic concerns with social and environmental considerations. The methodological approach allows for an in depth textual study on the post 1994 electricity policy documents and the examination of issues relating to the provision of quality and affordable electricity to the people, especially the previously disadvantaged South Africans. The article posits that good governance has enabled for the identification of issues relating to sustainable public interests. These public interests include social equity, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability and government also using public sector agencies to play key roles in service delivery. Through this article, the author intends to make a contribution towards the body of knowledge pertaining to the niche areas of poverty alleviation and socio-economic development in the discipline of public administration.Key words: Electricity, universal access, reconstruction and development, social equit

Awareness of Genetic Testing for High-Risk Cancer Among Different Racial Groups in the United States

Background: Genetic testing for high-risk cancer can provide information on personal risk of developing cancer, as well as diagnosis, prognosis and treatment once cancer has been detected. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the Health Information National Trends (HINTS 5, Cycle 4), conducted among U.S. adults (age ≥ 18 years) from February 24 to June 20, 2020. An equal probability sample of addresses were stratified, and an adult was selected from each household. Data analysis was conducted 3,865 respondents who completed the survey. The primary outcome was awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer (GTHC). We used weighted multivariable logistic regression to determine the awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, household income, general health status and history of cancer. Results: We found a significant association between race/ethnicity and awareness of GTHC. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic respondents were less likely to be aware GTHC, compared to White respondents (Non-Hispanic Black: aOR=0.53; 95%CI: 0.32–0.87. Hispanic: aOR=0.58; 95%CI: 0.36–0.95). The awareness of ancestry testing was also significantly associated with awareness of GTHC (aOR=5.62; 95%CI: 2.95–10.72). Female respondents were more likely to be aware of GTHC compared to males (aOR=1.92; 95%CI: 1.37-2.68), and relative to respondents 50-64 years, those 35-49 years were more likely to be aware of GTHC (aOR=1.92; 95%CI: 1.37-2.68). Conclusion: This cross-sectional study showed less awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic groups, highlighting the need for more health education among minority racial groups

Impact of PEDDA and Cooperative Learning Approach on Students’ Conception of Energy and Society in Senior Secondary School Physics in Onitsha Education Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria

The study investigated the impact of PEDDA and Cooperative Learning Approach (CLA) on students’ conception of energy and society in senior secondary school physics in Onitsha Education Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria. Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study employed quasi experimental research design. The population of the study comprised all the 6,138 SS2 physics students in 32 public secondary schools in Onitsha Education Zone of which 315 students were sampled using simple random sampling technique specifically with replacement. Four public schools or groups were used for the study. Two groups were taught using PEDDA while the other two groups taught using CLA. The instrument for data collection was Conception Test on Energy and Society (CTES) consisting of 20 multiple choice questions. The reliability coefficient of 0.82 for CTES was determined using Kudder-Richardson twenty (K-R 20) formula. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the two research questions while ANCOVA was used to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed that male and female students’ conception when taught energy and society using PEDDA and those taught using CLA is significant in favor of CLA group. Thus, the study recommended that physics teachers should adopt PEDDA so as to enhance students’ conception. Keywords: PEDDA, Cooperative Learning Approach, Gender, Energy and Society DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-22-13 Publication date: August 31st 201

Improvisation of electric fan using rubber bottle in the teaching of basic technology in selected secondary schools in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State

This study was designed to determine the importance of improvisation of instructional materials in the teaching of Basic technology in selected secondary schools in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State. The study examined the effects of improvised materials on secondary school students’ retention and academic achievements in Basic technology concepts. Three purposes, three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study; the study adopted a survey research design. Population of the study comprises of one hundred and seventy five respondents comprising 150 students and 25 teachers drawn from the selected secondary schools. The population was manageable, hence, the entire population was used for the study, and there was no sampling. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using mean score average to determine the upper and lower limit boundaries for either accepting or rejecting a decision. The study discovered inadequacy of instructional materials for teaching of Basic technology in secondary schools in ONELGA. The study also discovered a low level of exposure of teachers’ and students’ to improvisation of instructional materials in teaching and learning of Basic technology. Based on the findings, the study recommended amongst others that government and school administrators should ensure the provision of facilities and instructional materials for teaching Basic technology in their various schools to enhance effective teaching and learning process

Achebe’s There Was A Country In The Court Of Public Opinion: 43 Years After The Nigerian Civil War

The Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970 ended with the then military government of Gen. Gowon maintaining the“No Victor, No Vanquished” posture. This was despite the fact that the defunct Biafra, as it were, clearly lost outwith millions of casualties, mostly women and children. This posture, with all its criticisms from those whoinsisted that Biafrans should be treated as prisoners of war, was maintained by the then Head of State whobelieved it was a reconciliatory take off point. Ever since, several policies, and programmes have been put inplace to reduce the hostility between the then Biafrans (now mainly South- Easterners and a few South-Southerners) and the rest of the country. At the point when available evidence was suggesting that the hostilitywas reducing, late Prof. Chinua Achebe published a controversial book, “There was a Country: A PersonalHistory of Biafra,” in 2012. This book, with a detailed account of the war, analysts argue, has reengineeredhostility, “thereby bringing to naught all reconciliatory moves made in the last forty-two years.” ConsideringAchebe’s intellectual capacity, world status and what he represented, especially to the Igbo nation, one istempted to agree with these analysts. However, such conclusion could be hasty without empirical proof.Therefore, the obvious questions are: has the book in any way influenced Nigerians to construct or reconstructtheir memories of the war? Is it leading to fresh hostility, considering the fact that he accused prominentNigerians of genocide? Qualitative and quantitative data generated through interview, questionnaire and focusgroup discussion revealed that the book has influenced Nigerians to construct and reconstruct negative memoriesof the war.Keywords: Nigerian Civil War, Memory Construction, Reengineering Hostilit

Adherence to Journalism Code of Ethics by Reporters in Imo State

Thus, the purpose of this research was to investigate whether or not journalists in Imo State followed the Journalism Code of Conduct. Theories of relativism and social responsibility served as the basis for the research. This study employed a mixed research methodology consisting of a survey and an in-depth interview. The study's population included 193 registered journalists based in Imo State for the quantitative portion, and 6 media professionals classified as stakeholders for the qualitative portion. This study’s data collection methods included a questionnaire and an interview guide. The study found that journalists in Imo State have an above-average understanding of professional ethics, with a mean score of 5.4 on a 10-point scale. The research also found that journalists adherence to ethical standards is inadequate. According to the findings, if we want the public to continue to respect the journalism profession, we need to ensure that journalists are held to high standards of ethics