Susceptibility of conjunctival bacterial pathogens to fluoroquinolones. A comparative study of ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin

In order to determine the most common bacteria implicated in conjunctivitis, and the effectiveness of the antibiotic Fluoroquinolone for its treatment, a total of 50 subjects (100 ) eyes, between the ages of 1-30 years with mean age of 16.94 ± 8.06 years with infected eyes, were examined at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria (LASUTH). Conjunctival swabs were collected and cultured in the laboratory to isolate the pathogens responsible for the infection. Sensitivity and antibiotic suscepticibility tests were carried out with discs impregnated with 0.3% concentration of ophthalmic topical solutions of chibroxin (Norfloxacin), ciloxan (Ciprofloxacin), and ocuflox (Ofloxacin), to ascertain the most sensitive of the three drugs. The results showed that the implicated bacteria in order of decreasing frequency were Staphylococcus aureus (34%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (22%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12%), Hemophilus influenzae (9%), Escherichia coli (9%). All the isolated organisms were highly sensitive to the three drugs. However, a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference in the sensitivity of the three drugs (p< 0.05). ANOVA Post Hoc located Ciprofloxacin as the source of the significance. In conclusion therefore, Ciprofloxacin is the most sensitive of the three drugs and, hence should be the first choice of the fluoroquinolones for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis

Application of Software Design in Teaching and Learning

The search for solution to the various needs of man and the development of computer technology has resulted in the development of various computer software that provides solutions to these problems. Computer software are designed to address specific challenges. The applications of computer software cuts across the various spheres of life. This paper presents some basic concepts about software design; design pattern, levels and as well discusses some basic application areas of software designs

Trapping Methods of the Feral Pigeon in the Central Business District of Butte, Montana

The purpose of this study is to illustrate innovative trapping methods for the successful capture of feral pigeons (Columba livia). Our results highlight unique characteristics of the pigeon’s behavior that, when harnessed, increase success in trapping frequency and bird numbers and underscore the importance of understanding a species behavior when conducting biological research. Our results came about when conducting a population study of pigeons throughout the central business district (CBD) of Uptown Butte, MT. Through a succession of trial-and-error trapping efforts, we identified two aspects of trapping our target species: 1) minimal information exists on effective trapping protocol for pigeons, and 2) effective trapping protocol was closely tied to specific adjustments that prove effective in a number of different pigeon colonies. While pigeons differ from truly wild animals, insofar as they are a Eurasian species and feral, free-roaming colonies of pigeons offer excellent ecological models for studies that include population models, behavioral studies, handling protocol, and, of course, trapping. Our methods address conventional trapping and tagging techniques as well as innovative procedures and traditional urban point-count surveys. These innovative procedures would help with re-sighting tagged birds within the survey routes. All these methods will collectively provide insight into dispersal, recruitment, foraging and abundance of pigeons

Conceptual Review of Literature on Student Plagiarism: Focusing on Nigerian Higher Education Institutions

This paper presents a conceptual review on student plagiarism focusing mainly on International postgraduate Nigerian students. The aim of this review is to provide an insight to issues that relate to the concept, which will present information for the Higher Education Institutions in Nigeria and those overseas where the students decide to further their studies. The paper reviews studies on eight themes: the origin of plagiarism, forms of plagiarism, possible consequences of student plagiarism, general views on student plagiarism, possible causes of student plagiarism, Methods of detecting, deterring and mitigating student plagiarism, and proposed solutions.The author concluded that a lot of Nigerian students struggle with the right perception of plagiarism and in most cases, do not understand the long-term consequences, besides the implementation of a holistic approach at managing student plagiarism, the higher institutions need to monitor and evaluate results and adapt measures to the institutional context. Also, there is a need for overseas universities to adjust their management framework in a way that will cater for international students. In addition, there is needfor more empirical studies to be carried out in Nigeria and other African Higher institutions

Application of Educational Gaming and Robotics in Teaching and Learning Process

The development of technology has resulted in the development of many assistive tools employed to facilitate education. Amongst these technologically enhanced tools developed for education are games and robots. This paper examines the application of educational games and robots through review of available literature. The areas of application of games and robots in education have been presented. The paper further highlights some challenges encountered in the deployment of games and robotics in education

Expert System as Tools for Efficient Teaching and Learning Process in Educational System in Nigeria, First Step

In educational field, many of the expert systems application are embedded inside the Intelligent Tuttoring System (ITS) by using techniques from adaptive hypertext and hypermedia. Most of the systems usually will assist student in their learning by using adaptation techniques to personalize with the environment, prior of student and students ability to learn in terms of technology, expert system in education has expanded very consistently from micro computer to web based (Woodin, 2001) and agent based expert system, it can provide an excellent alternative to private tutoring at anytime from any place (Markham, 2001) where internet is provided. Also agent based expert system surely will help users by finding materials from the web based on users profile. Supposedly, agent expert system should have capability to diagnose the users and giving the results according to the problems. Besides the use of expert system in technology, it also had tremendous changes in the applying of methods and techniques. Starting from a simple rule based system, currently expert system techniques had adapted a fuzzy logic (Starek, Tomer, Bhaskar, and Garcia, 2001) and hybrid based technique (Pretzas, Hatzilygeroudis, and Koutsojannis, 2001)

Impact of Expert System as a Tool for Efficient Teaching and Learning Process in Educational System in Nigeria – Final Step

The study examined impact of expert system as a tool for efficient teaching and learning process in educational system in Nigeria, using University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria as a case study. The specific objectives of the study include to: Identify types of expert systems available to the teaching and learning process in the study area; Identify expert systems used in the education sector in the study area; Identify human systems used in the study area; determine the extent to which expert systems influenced performance of students in the study area; determine the extent to which human expert system influenced performance of students in the study area; determine perception/satisfaction of teachers and students on application of expert systems in the teaching and learning process

Impact of Expert System as Tools for Efficient Teaching and Learning Process in Educational System in Nigeria

Introducing an expert system as tool in the teaching and learning process in the Nigeria educational system is a much needed step to improving the process, this is because it is filled with a few challenges involved. The advent of computer system has definitely opened way to Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) for which an expert system is one. An expert system is a well known area of artificial intelligence which is a computerized tool designed to enhance the quality and availability of knowledge required in educational system. The general society sees CAI/expert system as inevitable and a must in teaching and learning process. Borrowing a leaf from the civilized world in their knowledge preservation and distribution, it now becomes necessary for the Nigeria educational system to adopt CAI, and especially expert to duplicate the rare knowledge and experience of a few experts in different fields of education and to place the Nigerian educational system at par with their international counterparts. Though expert system has enormous benefits, they remain un-established as a useful technology due to few research and documentation. This research work proposes that the effective introduction of expert system in teaching and learning process in Nigerian educational system should be adopted as its advantages over traditional chalk-talk method is innumerable

Application of Expert System for Quality Evaluation in Higher Educational Institutes

The study examined impact of expert system as a tool for efficient teaching and learning process in educational system in Nigeria, using University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria as a case study. The specific objectives of the study include to: Identify types of expert systems available to the teaching and learning process in the study area; Identify expert systems used in the education sector in the study area; Identify human systems used in the study area; determine the extent to which expert systems influenced performance of students in the study area; determine the extent to which human expert system influenced performance of students in the study area; determine perception/satisfaction of teachers and students on application of expert systems in the teaching and learning process

Impact of Expert System as a Tool to Improve Teaching and Learning in School

The capacity of information and communications technology (ICT) has grown exponentially over the last 10 to 15 years. IDA report emphasized that the information and communications technology (ICT) sector has undergone a revolution over the last decade in all developing countries. The performance of the sector has been driven by market liberalization, which has in turn stimulated private sector investment and competition. This, to a great extent has made impact on the education sector. There is no doubt, changes in the following have evolved due to ICT: � Teaching and learning practice in institutions of any level. New teaching ideas, approaches and methodologies have being developed, relying on ICT, for example distance education, home schooling, cross curriculum, and virtual reality