Job Satisfaction and Self-Efficacy as Correlates of Job Commitment of Special Education Teachers in Oyo State

The study examines job satisfaction and self-efficacy as correlates of job commitment of special education teachers in Oyo State. Four research questions were generated in the study. A sample of 250 special education teachers were the respondents used to ascertain or otherwise the job satisfaction and self-efficacy as correlates of job commitment. The result revealed that there was a positive significant relationship between job satisfaction and commitment (r = .012, p<0.5). Also, there was a positive significant relationship between self-efficacy and job satisfaction of special education teachers (r = .004, p < .05). Further, the study revealed that job satisfaction and self-efficacy when combined together were reliable predictors F (2,247) = 20.163; p < 0.05. Job satisfaction when used alone as the predictor of job commitment was found significant (? = .012, t=2.543; p<.05). Also, self-efficacy of special education teachers was a significant predictor of job commitment when used alone (?=.362, t=6.120; p<0.05). It was recommended that teachers working environment should be improved upon as well as giving more incentives, better remuneration package than what prevailed now to enhance their job commitment. Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Self Efficacy, Job Commitment, Special Education Teacher

Inventory survey of Nigeria inland waters and their fishery resources. Part 1. A preliminary checklist of inland water bodies in Nigeria with special reference to ponds, lakes, reservoirs and major rivers

(59 page document

Assessment of Geologic Controls of Flooding in Parts of OBIO/AKPOR L.G.A., Rivers State, Nigeria

Flooding of Municipal areas is a frequent environmental occurrence in Rivers State that occurs when rainfall runoff meets land surfaces with low water absorbing capacity or when it overwhelms drainage channels. In order to assess the flood situation in the study area, an integrated method which involves field-measurement, geographic information system (GIS),laboratory analysis of soil samples and topographic studies were employed.Digital elevation model of the study area reveals that the flooded areas are situated in areas with elevations lower than its surrounding, thereby acting as a natural basin to retain flood waters after rainfall.Four holes were drilled to depth of 3 m to obtain soil samples at 1 m sampling interval, from which laboratory analysis was carried out to determine some geotechnical parameters such as soil’s particle size, specific gravity, bulk density,porosity,moisture content, permeability and hydraulic conductivity. Results of the analysis show that permeability,hydraulic conductivity and porosity diminishes with respect to depth. The soil in the flooded areas have high fines content (silt and clay), high bulk density which increase with depth and a specific gravity that is typical of organic rich soils that contain sand mixed with a considerable amount of fines. At Nkpolu, mean permeability rates of 0.003 cm/sec, 0.009 cm/sec and 0.033 cm/sec were obtained at 1, 2 and 3 m respectively. At Eneka, mean permeability rates of 0.011 cm/sec,0.018 cm/sec and 0.014 cm/sec were obtained at 1, 2 and 3m respectively,while at Rukpokwu, mean Permeability rates of 0.021 cm/sec was obtained at 1 m, while 0.006 cm/sec was obtained at 2 and 3 m respectively. The mean hydraulic conductivity for the locations under study is of the order of 10-4 ft/day. This study has shown that the flooded areas are located in low lying urban areas which act as basins, therefore, the top soil is crusted with highly compacted soil horizons beneath. With high and frequent rainfall in the region which generates a lot of runoff, in addition to poor drainage system, flooding in the study area occurs frequently.Therefore,construction and maintenance of efficient drainage channels for an effective solution to urban pluvial flooding in the study area are thereby recommended

Improving the quality of set yoghurt using milk fat globule membrane fragments

Lacprodan PL20, a dairy ingredient that is rich in protein and polar lipids, was added into set yoghurts produced from nonhomogenized raw milk. The set yoghurts were prepared using concentrations of 2%, 4%, and 6% Lacprodan PL20, while the control sample was only supplemented with skim milk powder. The effect of Lacprodan PL20 concentrations on the physical and chemical properties, rheology, and microstructure of set yoghurt was thoroughly investigated to determine some likely improvement or changes in quality. Consequently, Lacprodan PL20 showed a gradual improvement in the set yoghurt nutritive values, water holding capacity, and apparent viscosity. The results indicated that the firmness of set yoghurt was altered which steadily improved the gel strength, especially at 4% and 6% concentrations. The fermentation process was slightly delayed at 4% and 6% concentrations and pH values were raised as Lacprodan PL20 concentration increased. The microstructures of the set yoghurts produced with Lacprodan PL20, as examined by scanning electron microscopy, revealed compacted structures with fewer and smaller holes in the gel matrices. Also, a slight color change was observed in set yoghurt using a colorimeter. These results vividly showed that Lacprodan PL20, an enriched milk fat globule membrane fragment, has the potential to improve set yoghurt quality by reducing some defects associated with set yoghurt, such as low gel strength, low dry solids, and the likes

Estimation of zinc levels among children with malnutrition at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria

Objective: Zinc plays a critical role in many body functions and its deficiency is associated with impaired cognitive function, behavioral problems, memory impairment, growth retardation, increased incidence of diarrhoea and recurrent infections. Although severe zinc deficiency is not common, mild to moderate deficiency is quite common globally. It is estimated that some form of zinc deficiency affects about one third of the world population, with estimates ranging from 4% to 73% across sub Saharan Africa. To determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency among malnourished children at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.Methods: Study was descriptive cross-sectional, carried out at the Paediatric department of UDUTH, Sokoto from April 2013 to June 2014. It was conducted among children aged between 6 and 60 months who presented to the OPD and those that were admitted into paediatric wards of UDUTH with malnutrition. Children with similar characteristics that were well nourished served as controls. Cohorts were recruited consecutively until the required sample size was obtained. 5mls of venous blood was taken for serum zinc analysis from each child.Results: A total of 550 children were studied with 275 apiece for cohorts. The mean age of the malnourished children was 26.2±14.6 months compared to 28.2±17.0 months recorded for the controls (p=0.157).The mean serum zinc levels for the study subjects 13.5±3.3μmol/Lwas significantly lower than that of the controls (15.8±1.9μmol/L) (t=9.42, df=548, p=0.0001).Conclusion: The prevalence of zinc deficiency among both malnourished children and the controls was 0% using WHO reference value for children below the age of 5 years. Prophylactic doses of zinc should be given in all malnourish children in situation where mineral mix is not added to feed or f75 and f100 are not available. There is need to adhere to and use recommended cut off values recommended by WHO for defining zinc deficiency by researchers.Keywords: zinc, malnutrition, Sokot

Consumer preferences and socioeconomic factors decided on plantain and plantain-based products in the central region of Cameroon and Oyo state, Nigeria

Open Access Journal; Published online: 22 Aug 2021Plantain is a key staple food in Central and West Africa, but there is limited understanding of its market in Africa. In addition, the cooking methods for enhancing the nutritional value, consumer preference, and willingness to pay for plantain and plantain-based products are not well understood. The knowledge gaps in the market and consumer dimension of the food chain need to be known to increase plantain utilization and guide breeding efforts. This research contributes by examining the cooking methods, consumer preference, and willingness to pay for plantain and plantain-based products in Cameroon and Nigeria. A household survey sample of 454 Cameroonian consumers in four divisions of Central Region and 418 Nigerian consumers in seven government areas of Oyo State in southwest Nigeria was the basis for the analysis. The results showed some levels of similarity and difference in the consumption and cooking of boiled, roasted, and fried plantain in both countries. The trend in consumption of all plantain-based products was constant in Cameroon but increased in Nigeria. The most important factor influencing Cameroonian consumers’ choice of plantain and its products was taste, while the nutrition trait influenced Nigerian consumers. Both Cameroonian and Nigerian consumers considered packaging, location of produce, and size and quantity as the least important factors. In addition, socioeconomic characteristics were significant determinants of consumers’ choices to consume plantain and its products. Gender significantly influenced (p < 0.05) taste, while nutrition was significantly driven (p < 0.05) by education and annual income. Household size played a significant role (p < 0.05) in consumers’ choices when the price was considered. These findings serve as a guideline to improve existing products to match the needs of consumers in each country and develop products for different consumer segments and potentially increase production

Extraction and physicochemical characterization of chitin and chitosan isolated from house cricket

Chitin ranks next to cellulose as the most important bio-polysaccharide which can primarily be extracted from crustacean shells. However, the emergence of new areas of the application of chitin and its derivatives are on the increase and there is growing demand for new chitin sources. In this study, therefore, an attempt was made to extract chitin from the house cricket (Brachytrupes portentosus) by a chemical method. The physicochemical properties of chitin and chitosan extracted from crickets were compared with commercial chitin and chitosan extracted from shrimps, in terms of proximate analysis in particular, of their ash and moisture content. Also, infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis were conducted. The chitin and chitosan yield of the house cricket ranges over 4.3%–7.1% and 2.4%–5.8% respectively. Chitin and chitosan from crickets compares favourably with those extracted from shrimps, and were found to exhibit some similarities. The result shows that cricket and shrimp chitin and chitosan have the same degree of acetylation and degree of deacetylation of 108.1% and 80.5% respectively, following Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The characteristic XRD strong/sharp peaks of 9.4 and 19.4° for α-chitin are common for both cricket and shrimp chitin. The percentage ash content of chitin and chitosan extracted from B. portentosus is 1%, which is lower than that obtained from shrimp products. Therefore, cricket chitin and chitosan can be said to be of better quality and of purer form than commercially produced chitin and chitosan from shrimp. Based on the quality of the product, chitin and chitosan isolated from B. portentosus can replace commercial chitin and chitosan in terms of utilization and applications. Therefore, B. portentosus is a promising alternative source of chitin and chitosan

Etiology and Risk Factors for Mortality in an Adult Community-acquired Pneumonia Cohort in Malawi

RATIONALE In the context of rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) rollout and an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, there are few contemporary data describing the aetiology and outcome of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVES To describe the current aetiology of CAP in Malawi and identify risk factors for mortality. METHODS We conducted a prospective observational study of adults hospitalised with CAP to a teaching hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Aetiology was defined by blood culture, Streptococcus pneumoniae urinary antigen detection, sputum mycobacterial culture and Xpert MTB/RIF, and nasopharyngeal aspirate multiplex PCR. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS In 459 patients (285 [62.1%] males; median age 34.7 [IQR: 29.4-41.9] years), 30-day mortality was 14.6% (64/439) and associated with male sex (adjusted odds ratio 2.60 [95% CI: 1.17-5.78]), symptom duration >7 days (2.78 [1.40-5.54]), tachycardia (2.99 [1.48-6.06]), hypoxaemia (4.40 [2.03-9.51]) and inability to stand (3.59 [1.72-7.50]). HIV was common (355/453; 78.4%), frequently newly diagnosed (124/355; 34.9%), but not associated with mortality. S. pneumoniae (98/458 [21.4%]) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (75/326 [23.0%]) were the most frequently identified pathogens. Viral infection occurred in 32.6% (148/454) with influenza (40/454 [8.8%]) most common. Bacterial-viral co-infection occurred in 9.1% (28/307). Detection of M. tuberculosis was associated with mortality (aOR 2.44 [1.19-5.01]). CONCLUSIONS In the ART era, CAP in Malawi remains predominantly HIV-associated with a large proportion attributable to potentially vaccine-preventable pathogens. Strategies to increase early detection and treatment of tuberculosis and improve supportive care, in particular the correction of hypoxaemia, should be evaluated in clinical trials to address CAP-associated mortality

Assessment of Skeletal Muscle Contractile Properties by Radial Displacement: The Case for Tensiomyography

Skeletal muscle operates as a near-constant volume system; as such muscle shortening during contraction is transversely linked to radial deformation. Therefore, to assess contractile properties of skeletal muscle, radial displacement can be evoked and measured. Mechanomyography measures muscle radial displacement and during the last 20 years, tensiomyography has become the most commonly used and widely reported technique among the various methodologies of mechanomyography. Tensiomyography has been demonstrated to reliably measure peak radial displacement during evoked muscle twitch, as well as muscle twitch speed. A number of parameters can be extracted from the tensiomyography displacement/time curve and the most commonly used and reliable appear to be peak radial displacement and contraction time. The latter has been described as a valid non-invasive means of characterising skeletal muscle, based on fibre-type composition. Over recent years, applications of tensiomyography measurement within sport and exercise have appeared, with applications relating to injury, recovery and performance. Within the present review, we evaluate the perceived strengths and weaknesses of tensiomyography with regard to its efficacy within applied sports medicine settings. We also highlight future tensiomyography areas that require further investigation. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to critically examine the existing evidence surrounding tensiomyography as a tool within the field of sports medicine