The Role of the Phylogenetic Diversity Measure, PD, in Bio-informatics: Getting the Definition Right

A recent paper in this journal (Faith and Baker, 2006) described bio-informatics challenges in the application of the PD (phylogenetic diversity) measure of Faith (1992a), and highlighted the use of the root of the phylogenetic tree, as implied by the original definition of PD. A response paper (Crozier et al. 2006) stated that 1) the (Faith, 1992a) PD definition did not include the use of the root of the tree, and 2) Moritz and Faith (1998) changed the PD definition to include the root. Both characterizations are here refuted. Examples from Faith (1992a,Faith 1992b) document the link from the definition to the use of the root of the overall tree, and a survey of papers over the past 15 years by Faith and colleagues demonstrate that the stated PD definition has remained the same as that in the original 1992 study. PD’s estimation of biodiversity at the level of “feature diversity” is seen to have provided the original rationale for the measure’s consideration of the root of the phylogenetic tree

Nutrition in Central Uganda - An Estimation of a Minimum Cost Healthy Diet

This study makes use of linear programming methodology to design a minimum cost diet for the Central Ugandan region. We used a set of constraints on recommended levels of daily nutrient intake, recommended proportions of groups of foods, as well as preferences and food availability in Central Uganda, to design a minimum cost healthy daily diet. Several models were considered, each forcing at least one of the following frequently consumed staple foods: matooke, cassava, and rice. We found that the minimum costs of the optimal diets were lowest in the planting season of March and highest in the harvesting season of December.Central Uganda, minimum cost diet, malnutrition, linear programming, Agricultural and Food Policy, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Health Economics and Policy,

Phylogenetic diversity (PD) and biodiversity conservation: some bioinformatics challenges

Biodiversity conservation addresses information challenges through estimations encapsulated in measures of diversity. A quantitative measure of phylogenetic diversity, “PD”, has been defined as the minimum total length of all the phylogenetic branches required to span a given set of taxa on the phylogenetic tree (Faith 1992a). While a recent paper incorrectly characterizes PD as not including information about deeper phylogenetic branches, PD applications over the past decade document the proper incorporation of shared deep branches when assessing the total PD of a set of taxa. Current PD applications to macroinvertebrate taxa in streams of New South Wales, Australia illustrate the practical importance of this definition. Phylogenetic lineages, often corresponding to new, “cryptic”, taxa, are restricted to a small number of stream localities. A recent case of human impact causing loss of taxa in one locality implies a higher PD value for another locality, because it now uniquely represents a deeper branch. This molecular-based phylogenetic pattern supports the use of DNA barcoding programs for biodiversity conservation planning. Here, PD assessments side-step the contentious use of barcoding-based “species” designations. Bio-informatics challenges include combining different phylogenetic evidence, optimization problems for conservation planning, and effective integration of phylogenetic information with environmental and socio-economic data

UTILIZATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION CURRICULUM IN FEDERAL AND STATE UNIVERSITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the utilization of entrepreneurship education curriculum in federal and state universities in Anambra State. Three research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. 7,850 undergraduate students constituted the population of the study; while stratified random sampling technique was used to draw 240 respondents as the sample from the state and federal universities in Anambra State. A 21 item questionnaire developed by the researchers was used for data collection. The validation of the instrument was done by three experts, two in Educational Management and Policy and an expert in Measurement and Evaluation Unit of Educational Foundations Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Data obtained were analyzed through mean and t-test statistic. The findings indicate high extent of utilization of NUC benchmark yet specific objectives were unattained. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that university management should endeavour to adopt appropriate teaching methods in teaching of entrepreneurship education and that the curriculum focus should continue to be practical oriented to enable the achievement of the specified objectives in equipping the undergraduate with relevant skills for self-sustainability on graduation.  Article visualizations

The Medical Education Environment at the University of Nairobi, Kenya: An Assessment with the DREEM Tool

Background: The supportive learning environment can enhance impartating of knowledge and skills. Objective: To assess the learning environment at the School of Medicine of the University of Nairobi using the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure(DREEM) tool. Methods: A cross-sectional survey carried in 2019 out among medical students during their clinical years to obtain their perceptions about the learning environment at the School of Medicine of the University of Nairobi. The DREEM tool was used for the survey. Data were entered and analyzed in SPSS version19. Comparisons were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). p≤0.05 was consideredstatistically significant. Results: We obtained 619 responses (77.4%) from 800 tools distributed. The total mean score of DREEM was 93.3/200. This is a 46.7%score overall indicating a poor perception of the learning environment. Year IV was the class with the poorest perception with a p<0.05. Conclusion: The DREEM score shows numerous problems, with perception of learning and social support being the areas requiring themost improvement. Although teachers are knowledgeable, students are wary of their ability to transfer knowledge and skills. Keywords: Learning environment, DREEM, Medical student

Assessment of user needs of primary biodiversity data: Analysis, concerns, and challenges

A Content Needs Assessment (CNA) survey has been conducted in order to determine what GBIF-mediated data users may be using, what they would be using if available, and what they need in terms of primary biodiversity data records. The survey was launched in 2009 in six languages, and collected more than 700 individual responses. Analysis of the responses showed some lack of awareness about the availability of accessible primary data, and pointed out some types of data in high demand for linking to distribution and taxonomical data now derived from the GBIF cache. A notable example was linkages to molecular data. Also, the CNA survey uncovered some biases in the design of user needs surveys, by showing demographic and linguistic effects that may have influenced the distribution of responses received in analogous surveys conducted at the global scale

Medical Students’ Perceptions of the Medical Education Learning Environment at the University of Nairobi: II. A Qualitative Study

Background: The educational environment (EE) has a significant influence on effective student learning. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) is a validated tool to assess the EE. A DREEM survey done in early 2019 among medical students at the University of Nairobi highlighted many problems. It was therefore important to explore why such perceptions existed among the medical students. Objectives: To explore medical students’ perceptions ofthe medical education learning environment at the University of Nairobi. Methods: Qualitative focus group discussions (FGD) were held among medical students in years III to VI in groups of between 8and 12students. The discussions were recorded using a Samsung J6 phone voice recorder, transcribed, coded, and analysed for themes until saturation was reached. Results: We held six FGD with medical students in years III to VI and identified four thematic areas: 1) poor educational infrastructure, 2) poor educational structure, 3) teacher-centred teaching, and 4) lack of social support for students in difficulties. Conclusion: Exploring the perceptions of the EE confirmed students have a poor view of the educational environment. The issues raised are good feedback on teaching, governance and the social culture of the institution. Keywords: Learning environment, DREEM, Medical students, Qualitative methods&nbsp

TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA: A COINTEGRATION ANALYSIS (1980-2015)

This study examined the effect of trade liberalization on economic growth in Nigeria, using the Gross domestic product (GDP) as proxy for economic growth. The study made use of set of data that spanned (1980 – 2015). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) was used in estimating the effect of trade liberalization on economic growth in Nigeria with a view to ascertaining whether long-run relationship exists between the two and also used in verifying for structural change that may have occurred within the implementation period of a free trade regime that started in 1986. Data for the study were sourced from World Development Indicators (WDI) of the World Bank and Statistical Bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) various issues. Results indicate that liberalization has positive and significant effect on economic growth in Nigeria, with an evidence of a long-run relationship. Similarly, strong evidence was found to support structural change that took place in 1986 when free trade policy was adopted. The results also presented a violation of the a priori in the case of export and import which showed negative and positive signs respectively. In the light of the above, it was recommended among others that an enabling environment should be provided by the government in the areas of infrastructural facilities to boost domestic production, revitalize ailing industries to enable them produce goods that can compete favourably with their foreign counterparts in the international market to enhance further growth in Nigerian economy.Keywords: , ,

The Role of Entrepreneurial Competencies in Promoting Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: A Study of Practicing Entrepreneurs in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study examined the role of entrepreneurial competencies in promoting entrepreneurship in Nigeria using selected practicing entrepreneurs in Anambra State as case study. The study adopted descriptive survey design. Eight hundred and fifty-one (851) business owners and managers within the defined category were identified. An item structured instrument designed to reflect a likert scale format was used to elicit information from the 272 respondents estimated as the sample through Taro Yameni’s formula for estimating sample size from a finite population. The data generated in the study were analyzed through simple summary statistics of percentages and the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). All tests were carried out at 0.05 level of significance. Majorfindings are that entrepreneurial failures in Nigeria should not be seen only in the area of inadequate access to financial resources, as the entrepreneur also needs to acquire competencies in the areas of time management, communication, marketing, decisionmaking and financial management. In the light of the findings, it was recommended that the government should encourage the entrepreneurs to develop the identified competencies for effective performance in their business among other recommendations.Key Words: entrepreneurial, competencies, entrepreneurship, development, Nigeri