Participation of women in leadership must be a common agenda for both men and women

LSE’s Jescinta Izevbigie examines the obstacles faced by African women in entering the public life

Effect of season on the metabolizable energy requirement for broiler growth, carcass yield and carcass composition

Two experiments were conducted at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, poultry farm to evaluate effects of high and low ambient temperatures on the metabolizable energy requirement for broiler growth, carcass quality and carcass composition. The first experiment was conducted in July through September, while the second experiment was conducted in December through February, as these two seasons represent the two temperature extremes prevalent in the southeastern part of the United States. Both experiments employed a 23% crude protein corn soybean diet with the following dietary energy levels: 2880, 3040, 3200, 3360 and 3520 kcal ME/kg diet. Diets were fed to color-sexable Shaver chicks from 1 day of age until an average treatment live body weight of 2.05 kg was achieved. In experiment 1, a total of 330 day-old color-sexable chicks were utilized. Eleven male and eleven female chicks were randomly allotted to each experimental group. Results obtained indicated a linear response of both gain and feed efficiency to dietary energy level at 28 and 49 days of age. Abdominal fat pad expressed as percentage of live weight increased in males and females as dietary energy level increased. Abdominal fat pad increased in females approximately 8.42% for every 5% increase in metabolizable energy, and 36.04% for every 5%, or more specifically, 160 kcal ME/kg diet in males. In experiment 2, increasing dietary energy level improved (P \u3c .0001) feed efficiency. Both dietary energy level and sex significantly (P \u3c .0001) affected live weight gain. Abdominal fat pad weight was also significantly affected by dietary energy level (P \u3c .0001) and by sex (P \u3c .0001). Chickens fed the low energy diets contained approximately 57% less abdominal fat content than those fed high energy diets. Females contained an average of 20% more abdominal fat than males. Season had a marked effect on broiler performance. For example, it required 57 days for birds fed the 2880 kcal ME/kg diet to achieve an average live weight of 2.05 kg during the summer, but only 49 days during the winter. In general, these results indicate that 3200 kcal ME/kg diet is adequate during both summer and winter seasons. Although higher dietary energy levels resulted in heavier body weights, the high cost of these high fat diets would probably make such a feeding system not feasible

Parental Blessing in Genesis 49:8-12 and its Implications on Children in Edo Land

The application of Jacob’s blessings in Genesis 49:1-28 to Edo Culture is the focus of this research work. It is also to make exegetical study of the passage and make appropriate interpretation of the passage and analyse the contents of. There are two basic aims for the research work. The first one is to undertake a thorough interpretation of the passage and determine the contents of the passage. The second aim is to apply it to Edo culture with underlining motif of promoting positive pronouncements of parents on their children. The traditional way of life among the Edo people, is being gradually eroded by the influence of modernization which makes the family becoming loosely. As a result, parental obligations to children are becoming abandoned. Part of these obligations is parental care and blessing. This paper is gear toward promoting the value of parental blessing. Key words: Parental Blessing, Children, Edo-Land DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/50-02 Publication date:August 31st 202

Cultural Integration in Newly Formed Public-Private Partnership Organizations

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) formed public-private partnerships (PPPs) with local and international private companies during the construction of the Port of Miami Tunnel (POMT) project. These PPPs had employees from different cultural backgrounds who brought new cultures, ideas, innovation, and experiences to their PPPs. The limited PPP literature did indicate that different cultures should be properly integrated to avoid challenges and conflicts in the new organization. If not properly managed and integrated, cultural conflict can create communication problems, increased employee dissatisfaction, higher turnover, and poor employee performance. Using Risberg\u27s communication theoretical foundation, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of PPP employees to see how their intercultural communication facilitated cultural integration. Data were generated through semi-structured, open-ended interviews with 11 employees of the PPPs formed with FDOT during the POMT project. Data were coded and analyzed using a thematic analaysis procedure. Findings were that cultural aspects like social interaction, comfort in interacting with people from different cultures, empathy, respect for others, knowledge about other cultures, open-mindedness, and managerial support helped in facilitating cultural integration in the respective PPPs. Positive social change implications may include the improvement of PPP efficiency and efficacy with: greater leadership awareness of the challenges and opportunities of diversity; new policies and management strategies that take advantage of different cultural contributions; and, policies that encourage cultural competency and sensitivity

Native African Arts and Cultures in the New World; A Case Study of African Retentions in the United States of America

Despite the different languages, and cultures in Africa, there is commonality in religious artistic and musical traditions. Did the native Africans sold into slavery retain any of the traditions in the "New World" in general and in the United States of America in particular? There is considerable retention in the Latin American countries, because the slaves had many more rights in South America than in the United States. Consequently, the African slaves in the United States of America gradually lost contact with his past. However, there are certain church rituals and some aspects of the black American music which have been identified as cultural carry-overs in the United States

Perceptions of Foundation Phase mainstream school teachers regarding differentiated assessment

The need for classroom assessment to be differentiated is gradually gaining momentum in mainstream schools around the globe. Differentiated assessment takes appreciation of the diverse and special needs of learners and seeks to accommodate them. Thus, promoting learners’ access to the curriculum. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) in South Africa makes provisions through the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) document and assessment guidelines to manage schools’ assessment practices. However, most teachers still use the traditional and standardised approaches to classroom assessments, which the literature criticises as an unfair approach. Although standardised approaches to classroom assessment appear superficially unbiased, it has proven to be exclusive and discriminatory with deeper scrutiny. This study investigated Foundation Phase mainstream schoolteachers’ perception regarding differentiated assessment and their support requirements from the District Based Support Teams (DBSTs). Non-probability purposive sampling was used to identify two mainstream primary schools in Eersterust, Gauteng Province, and five Foundation Phase teachers, two being the departmental heads as the participants. Two Foundation Phase teachers in school 1 and three Foundation Phase teachers in School 2. The study adopted a qualitative multiple case study design within an interpretivist paradigm. The conceptual framework draws from the Psychometric Theory which served as the lens through which standardised one-size-fits-all assessment was analysed. Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development, and Piaget’s cognitive development theory, provided insights into learners’ cognition. Furthermore, Sen and Nussbaum’s capability approaches served as the lenses for understanding the fairness of assessment policies and practices in mainstream schools. Finally, Lave and Wenger’s Community of Practice provided the lens to understand teacher support needs and partnerships with the DBSTs within the participants' sociocultural contexts. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis. The findings suggest that the Foundation Phase teachers had a limited perception regarding differentiated assessment, which was hinged on Bloom’s taxonomy. The findings further revealed that the teachers are not adequately supported by the DBSTs in differentiating assessment in their classrooms. It was recommended that mainstream schoolteachers be trained on the meaning and purpose of differentiated assessment and be shown practical ways to differentiate assessment in their classrooms to cater to learners' diverse needs.Dissertation (MEd (Early Childhood Education))--University of Pretoria, 2021.Early Childhood EducationMEd (Early Childhood Education)Unrestricte

Democratic governance and the poor: adjusting to the new realities in Nigeria

This study undertook an analytical examination of the dynamic adjustment of the poor to the current socio-economic realities created by democratic governance in Nigeria. This was a departure from the usual theoretical prepositions and an attempt to look into what actually constitute the fundamental challenges of the Nigerian democratic government. The inferences drawn from the analysis revealed that there are various issues militating against the smooth functioning of democratic governance as well as its attendant effects on the poor majority in Nigeria. As a result, far reaching recommendations were proffered in the hope of correcting this undesirable situation in Nigeria.Keywords: Democratic Government, Poverty, Nigeri

Cryptocurrencies in Nigeria

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to theoretically examine the place of the use of cryptocurrencies in entrepreneurship, accounting and taxation in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology used is library-based research through review of related extant literature which informed the position taken in this paper. From the critical review of literature, it can be inferred that despite the novelty and attraction these digital currencies promise, it is not without inherent limitations, but requires the needed legal and regulatory framework in order for it to enhance security of the value of money of the owners who may want to key into it usage. Findings: It is therefore recommended that the relevant national and international money market/financial regulators and authorities should take proactive steps in coming up with the needed framework to help eliminate any doubt that may be associated with the use of cryptocurrencies. Paper type: Research Paper

Vitamin E in Human Health and Oxidative Stress Related Diseases

Oxidative stress characterized by an imbalance in the production and degradation of radical species has been implicated in the onset and progression of several diseases. The efficacy of antioxidants acting via the inhibition of radical chain reactions, scavenging of free radicals, direct donation of electrons to radical species and chelation of metal ions have been reported to attenuate the oxidative process. Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant and its hydrophobic nature and membrane permeability offer some benefits to application and bioavailability. This chapter highlights the following; structural differences in the vitamin family, biosynthesis in plants and the native biological role, antioxidant mechanisms of vitamin E, an overview of the prophylactic action of vitamin E as well as the effect on the oxidative process in some diseases

Fecal Carriage of Colibactin-Encoding Escherichia coli Associated With Colorectal Cancer Among a Student Populace

Fecal carriage of the colibactin (clb) gene in Escherichia coli is described as a source that could promote carcinogenesis, progressing to colorectal cancer. The present study investigated the demographic, dietary, and antibiotic consumption variables as correlates for fecal carriage of clb+/E coli among the student populace. In a randomized cross-sectional survey, E coli (N = 136) from the fecal samples of eligible students were characterized and evaluated for antibiotic resistance, β-lactamase (blm), biofilm, virulence factor production, and strain tryptophan reverse mutagenic activity. The encoded clb+/E coli were analyzed for correlates with principal component analysis. Of all the E coli strains, a low rate of 2 clb+/E coli (1.5%) and higher rates of biofilm (13.2%) and blm producers (11.8%) were recorded among the mutant strains as compared with the nonmutant types. All the clb+/E coli showed complete resistance to amoxicillin, Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanate), gentamicin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The fecal clb-encoded E coli (1.5%) were not associated with demographic status, fiber-based food (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 56.74–138.7; P = .213), alcohol (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 61.74–147.1; P = .221), antibiotic consumptions (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 61.29–145.3; P = .222), and handwashing (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 60.19–145.5; P = .216). The hierarchical cluster of blm+/E coli revealed high-level resistance with a multiantibiotic resistance index ≥0.2 (P < .05). Only 12% of all strains were tryptophan mutant/blm+, and 1.5% of clb+/ECblm+ were observed in fecal samples with a 452–base pair size. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and biofilm production positively regressed with clb expression (P > .05). Principal component analysis score plot indicated an association of clb+/ECblm+ with dietary pattern, alcohol, blm, and hemolysin production. The combined activity of blm and biofilm production in the gut microbiota could promote clb+/E coli colonization, facilitating genotoxin production and possible colorectal cancer induction