Benefits of Super Food and Functional Food for Companion Animals

This chapter reviews super foods and functional foods for companion animals such as dogs, cats, and horses. Super foods are considered to be beneficial for health and well-being, whereas functional foods are fortified or enhanced foods that may provide a health benefit beyond the traditional nutrient they contain. Super foods for dogs and cats include blueberries, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cocoa, tomatoes, spinach, banana, strawberry, apples, carrots, coconut oil, quinoa, kale, and raw honey. Examples of functional foods for dogs and cats include omega-3–enriched egg, fatty fish, soybean oil, nuts, yogurt, and oatmeal. These food products help pets fight disease, maintain healthy skin and shiny coat, improve healthy digestion, maintain joints and strong bones, boost immune system, promote longevity, boost energy, and maintain good health in general. Many nutrients including essential fatty acids, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, and B-complex vitamins are now incorporated in pet foods for normal functioning of the skin and coat condition. Super foods for horses, such as pollen bee, Echinacea, and spirulina, are natural foods that have high-quality vitamins, minerals, cofactors, and enzymes. They support optimal digestive health and boost the immune system in horses. This chapter highlights the benefits derived by consuming super foods and functional foods and some specific claims supported by scientific research of these foods in companion animals

Making research outcomes count in improving educational delivery in Nigeria

Research drives innovation and development in virtually every facet of life. Over the years conferences are held which bring researchers together to share and disseminate research outcomes and evidences on education and developmental issues and to explore ways of applying such outcomes to improve policies in educational delivery, quality and impact. In addition, individual members of the academia also conduct one form of research or the other to find solutions to problems of education. Studies have however shown that the outcomes of most of these research activities are not adequately utilized for decision and policy making. Several reasons have been adduced to be responsible for this situation. This study assessed to what extent research outcomes are being utilized to improve educational delivery and determine possible reason for ineffective utilization. The study employed both in-depth interviews and questionnaire to collect data for the study. Population of the study consisted of academia in selected Nigerian Universities, policy makers and stakeholders in education. Data collected was analysed using both content analysis and simple percentages. Findings revealed that research outcomes are not effectively utilized because of lack of access by policy makers as a result of ineffective dissemination and collaboration between researchers and policy makers. This finding calls for urgent need to evolve effective pathways to disseminate research outcomes for effective utilization in education improvement.Keyword: Research Outcomes; Improving Education; Educational Deliver

Challenges of accessibility and utilization of Open Education Resources (OERs) in single and dual mode Open Education (ODE) institutions in Lagos

The study investigated the challenges of accessibility and utilization of Open Education Resources (OERs) in single and dual mode Open Distance Education (ODE) Institutions in Lagos. The population of the study was made up of 58,090 students of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Lagos study centers and Distance Learning Institute (DLI) University of Lagos. Six research questions and 1 hypothesis were raised to guide the study. A multi-stage sampling method was used in selecting 400 (232 from NOUN and 168 from DLI) respondents for the study. Researchers-developed 4-point Likert scale questionnaire was used in eliciting information from the respondents. Simple percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions raised while independent t-test was used to test the null hypothesis stated. The findings of the study revealed that there is a relatively high awareness level of OERs among the students. It also revealed that OERs are readily available in the two institutions. It was found out also that the students have access to the OERs. However, the study showed that the students face a lot of challenges in accessing the OERs. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made which include that training on the use of theOERs and other internet-based educational materials should form part of the orientation programme for ODE students in Lagos

Leadership Strategies for Managing Change in the Nigerian Banking Industry

The Nigerian banking system is experiencing changes brought about by globalization. Operating in a changing business environment requires that bank leaders evolve strategies to manage and adapt to change. There are direct and indirect costs associated when banks are unable to adapt to change such as bank closures, and loss of economic and business opportunities. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Nigerian bank leaders regarding strategies they used to manage change in the banking industry. The conceptual framework was based on transformational leadership theory and change management theory. Data were collected from document analysis and semistructured interviews with 30 practitioners in the Nigerian banking industry who have had experience in managing organizational change in the banking industry in Nigeria. Thematic analysis revealed 8 strategies: adoption and application of technology, increased staff training, effective communication, cultural reorientation, customer service quality, cost optimization, deployment of change champions, and adoption of transformational leadership style. The findings from this study may contribute to positive social change by providing policy makers and other bank leaders with more insights on how to manage and adapt to change. Implementing these strategies may help reduce the rate of bank failures and its adverse effects on employees, families, and communities

Evaluation of Resveratrol Supplementation on Laboratory Animals, Cats, Pigs, Horses, Dogs, Cattle, and Birds

This chapter evaluated resveratrol supplementation on laboratory animals, cats, pigs, horses, dogs, cattle and birds. Resveratrol (3, 5, 4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a stilbenoid, a derivate of stilbene. It is found in some plants such as red grape, grape products, cocoa, peanuts, raspberries, mulberries, strawberry and Japanese knotweed roots. The most important dietary source of resveratrol is red wine, and it is often assumed to be an important factor in the French Paradox, a term used to describe the observation that the French population has a very low incidence of cardiovascular disease, despite a diet high in saturated fats. Research has shown some therapeutic effects of resveratrol ranging from antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antiatherogenic, antiaging, antiplatelet aggregation, anticancer, antidiabetic, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. In laboratory animals, benefits of resveratrol comprise antitumor effects while in cats it has shown to improve hepatic function. In pigs, the antibiotic and antiviral effects of resveratrol have been illustrated. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of resveratrol in horses and cattle were also reviewed. The supplement was shown to be useful as an antibiotic and an aid in improving alertness in dogs. Resveratrol also showed to increase growth performance in birds. It is therefore concluded that use of resveratrol is a potent aid in improving animal production and health

Open Distance Learning: An Alternative Strategy for Rural Teachers’ Professional Development in Lagos State, Nigeria

Advancement in technology and changes in knowledge delivery are making it imperative for teachers to acquire new skills and knowledge to meet the needs of today’s students. Teachers in rural areas rarely take advantage of professional development opportunities provided for them. This study explored the perspective of rural teachers on the constraints of accessing professional development programmes in order to situate Open Distance Learning (ODL) as an alternative method of delivering professional development training. Rubenson’s Recruitment Paradigm (1977), Cross’ Chain-of- Response Model (1981) and Darkenwald and Merriam’s Psychosocial Interaction Model (1982) guided the study. The study employed survey research design to answer the research questions raised. The population consisted of all teachers in public secondary schools in the rural areas of Lagos state. Ten secondary schools were randomly selected for the study. Twenty teachers were purposively selected from each school, making a total of 200 teachers. A self-developed questionnaire was employed to collect data. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that teachers in the rural areas rarely go for professional development programmes as a result of constraints such as lack of time, lack of funds, inability to forego family time for development training and teachers’ disposition. Based on the findings, it was suggested that the effects of these barriers can only be mitigated through ODL which allows teachers to learn whatever, wherever, whenever, and however they want to learn through information communication technology

CHALLENGES OF COOPERATIVE AND WORK- INTEGRATED EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY NIGERIA

The 21st century is associated with advancement in technology that has affected almost every facet of human endeavour.  This has made it imperative for educational institutions to produce graduates that are globally competitive. Cooperative and work-integrated education is an out-of-school type of education designed to equip undergraduates with requisite practical skills, knowledge and abilities that will not only make them competitive but also help them to be employable. Cooperative and work-integrated education in Nigeria like in other countries is confronted with several challenges that are impeding the achievement of its objectives.  This study is an attempt to identify the challenges of cooperative and work-integrated education from the perspective of undergraduates and employers of labour.  The study employed the qualitative research method and the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of all 400-level undergraduate students who have undergone one form of a work-integrated programme or the other and employers of labour in some selected organizations. 120 undergraduates and six employers of labour were selected for the study. Data were collected using a combination of researcher-made questionnaires and Focused Group discussions. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages. The study revealed among other things that the duration of most of the work-integrated programmes is inadequate, and that the programme is confronted with several challenges despite its relevance in enhancing employability. Based on the findings it was recommended that there should be adequate funding by the government

Serological investigation of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in horses, Port Harcourt Polo Club, Nigeria

Equine babesiosis is the most important tick-borne disease which is endemic in most tropical and sub-tropical areas. Chronic cases lead to loss of condition, poor exercise tolerance and slow recovery. The present study was aimed at investigating Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in Port Harcourt Polo Club using serological approach. 35 polo horses consisting of 11 female and 24 males and aged between 6 months and 15 years were screened for babesia parasites using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Physical examination of the horses showed Rhipicephalus species of ticks on different parts of some of the horses. Haematological, some biochemical and IFA tests were carried out using standard methods. 25(71%) of the samples were seropositive to IFAT. 5(14%) of the samples were positive for B. caballi while 9(25.7%) were positive for T. equi. 11(31.4%) tested positive for both B. caballi and T. equi. 6(17%) of the horses that tested positive to IFAT were less than 5 years and 19(54%) were more than 5 years. The mean PCV, Hb concentration, RBC counts and WBC counts of the positive horses were lower than normal values. Total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase values were significantly higher in IFAT positive horses compared to non-infected horses. This study provided a high prevalence of equine babesiosis and supported the use of IFAT for the detection of latent cases of piroplasmosis in Port Harcourt Polo horses. More research should be geared towards effective vector control and treatment of infected and carrier horses in horses.Keywords: Equine babesiosis; indirect fluorescent antibody test; Rhipicephalus species

Effects of Harmattan on erythrocyte osmotic fragility and Malondialdehyde concentration in goats administered with Resveratrol

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