Towards qualitative teaching of vocational subjects in secondary schools in Nigeria

The teaching of vocational subjects in secondary schools has become paramount to achieving the entrepreneurship goals and realizing the objectives of the functional educational system. This paper examined the need for ensuring qualitative teaching of vocational subjects in secondary school, with great emphasis on methodological procedure of development of learning content. Various vocational subjects that were purported to be taught in schools as stated in the NPE (2004, 2008) were highlighted. Problems and prospects of teaching vocational subjects were identified and the various useful methods for teaching vocational subjects were explained. Recommendations on possible strategies to ensuring qualitative teaching of vocational subjects in secondary schools were suggested

TOWARDS QUALITATIVE TEACHING OF VOCATIONAL SUBJECTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA

Abstract. The teaching of vocational subjects in secondary schools has become paramount to achieving the entrepreneurship goals and realizing the objectives of the functional educational system. This paper examined the need for ensuring qualitative teaching of vocational subjects in secondary school, with great emphasis on methodological procedure of development of learning content. Various vocational subjects that were purported to be taught in schools as stated in the NPE (2004, 2008) were highlighted. Problems and prospects of teaching vocational subjects were identified and the various useful methods for teaching vocational subjects were explained. Recommendations on possible strategies to ensuring qualitative teaching of vocational subjects in secondary schools were suggested

Crosswalk study on blood collection-tube types for Alzheimer's disease biomarkers

Introduction: Blood-based Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers show promise, but pre-analytical protocol differences may pose problems. We examined seven AD blood biomarkers (amyloid beta [ A β ] 42 , A β 40 , phosphorylated tau [ p - ta u 181 , total tau [t-tau], neurofilament light chain [NfL], A β 42 40 , and p - ta u 181 A β 42 ) in three collection tube types (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA] plasma, heparin plasma, serum). Methods: Plasma and serum were obtained from cerebrospinal fluid or amyloid positron emission tomography-positive and -negative participants (N = 38) in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention. We modeled AD biomarker values observed in EDTA plasma versus heparin plasma and serum, and assessed correspondence with brain amyloidosis. Results: Results suggested bias due to tube type, but crosswalks are possible for some analytes, with excellent model fit for NfL ( R 2 = 0.94), adequate for amyloid ( R 2 = 0.40-0.69), and weaker for t-tau ( R 2 = 0.04-0.42) and p - ta u 181 ( R 2 = 0.22-0.29). Brain amyloidosis differentiated several measures, especially EDTA plasma pTa u 181 A β 42 ( d = 1.29). Discussion: AD biomarker concentrations vary by tube type. However, correlations for some biomarkers support harmonization across types, suggesting cautious optimism for use in banked blood

Survival Association of Angiotensin Inhibitors in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Comparisons Using Self-Identified Race and Genomic Ancestry

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether there is a racial disparity in the response to angiotensin inhibitors in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and whether the role of genomic ancestry plays a part. Therefore, we compared survival rates associated with angiotensin inhibitors in patients with HFrEF by self-identified race and proportion of West African genomic ancestry. METHODS: Three datasets totaling 1153 and 1480 self-identified Black and White patients, respectively, with HFrEF were meta-analyzed (random effects model) for race-based analyses. One dataset had genomic data for ancestry analyses (416 and 369 self-identified Black and White patients, respectively). Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for propensity scores, assessed the association of angiotensin inhibitor exposure with all-cause mortality by self-identified race or proportion of West African genomic ancestry. RESULTS: In meta-analysis of self-identified race, adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) for exposure to angiotensin inhibitors were similar in self-identified Black and White patients with HFrEF: 0.52 (0.31-0.85) P = 0.006 and 0.54 (0.42-0.71) P = 0.001, respectively. Results were similar when the proportion of West African genomic ancestry was \u3e 80% or \u3c 5%: 0.66 (0.34-1.25) P = 0.200 and 0.56 (0.26-1.23) P = 0.147, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among self-identified Black and White patients with HFrEF, reduction in all-cause mortality associated with exposure to angiotensin inhibitors was similar regardless of self-identified race or proportion of West African genomic ancestry

Poor sleep is associated with CSF biomarkers of amyloid pathology in cognitively normal adults

ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between sleep quality and CSF markers of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology in late midlife.MethodsWe investigated the relationship between sleep quality and CSF AD biomarkers in a cohort enriched for parental history of sporadic AD, the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention. A total of 101 participants (mean age 62.9 ± 6.2 years, 65.3% female) completed sleep assessments and CSF collection and were cognitively normal. Sleep quality was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale. CSF was assayed for biomarkers of amyloid metabolism and plaques (β-amyloid 42 [Aβ42]), tau pathology (phosphorylated tau [p-tau] 181), neuronal/axonal degeneration (total tau [t-tau], neurofilament light [NFL]), neuroinflammation/astroglial activation (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], chitinase-3-like protein 1 [YKL-40]), and synaptic dysfunction/degeneration (neurogranin). To adjust for individual differences in total amyloid production, Aβ42 was expressed relative to Aβ40. To assess cumulative pathology, CSF biomarkers were expressed in ratio to Aβ42. Relationships among sleep scores and CSF biomarkers were assessed with multiple regression, controlling for age, sex, time between sleep and CSF measurements, and CSF assay batch.ResultsWorse subjective sleep quality, more sleep problems, and daytime somnolence were associated with greater AD pathology, indicated by lower CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 and higher t-tau/Aβ42, p-tau/Aβ42, MCP-1/Aβ42, and YKL-40/Aβ42. There were no significant associations between sleep and NFL or neurogranin.ConclusionsSelf-report of poor sleep was associated with greater AD-related pathology in cognitively healthy adults at risk for AD. Effective strategies exist for improving sleep; therefore sleep health may be a tractable target for early intervention to attenuate AD pathogenesis

Colonialism, migration and intergroup relations in Africa: The Igbo and their Southern Cameroon neighbours, 1916-2014

Migration has been an inseparable and indispensable part of the history of the Igbo nation. However, the nature, dynamics, and drivers of migration among the Igbo significantly altered since colonial era. Scholars have interrogated aspects of migration and its impact on the Igbo nation. Not many studies; however, have interrogated Igbo migration into Cameroon as well as the Igbo-Cameroon Intergroup relations during the period under review. This paper, therefore, examines the drivers of migration, the nature, dynamics, and impact of Igbo-Cameroon intergroup relations on both groups during the period under review. The study utilized primary and secondary sources while thematic, historical descriptive and analytical approaches were employed in the analysis of its data. The study reveals that colonialism impacts the nature of migration among the Igbo, particularly, from the 20th century up to the mid-20th century.</p