Effects of the use of Documentary Videos in Teaching Setting-out in Nigerian Secondary Schools

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of the use of documentary videos in teaching setting-out in Nigerian secondary schools. One research question and one hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted Quasi-experimental research design. The population for the study was 16 ST 1 students from Government Technical Training School, Jalingo offering Building Construction subject. There was no sampling. The instrument for data collection was Setting-out Test (ST) developed by the researcher. The instrument was validated by three experts. Test re-test was used to establish the reliability of the instrument and a reliability coefficient of 0.83 and 0.87 was obtained for the traditional and documentary video teaching methods respectively. The ST 1 students were arranged in intact groups, A and B; treatment was given to the two groups. Group a students were taught using the traditional method while Group B students were taught using the documentary video. A Pre-Test and Post-test was administered on the two groups under examination condition. The data obtained were analyzed using mean, standard deviation for research question and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for the hypothesis. Findings from the study indicated that students taught Setting-out with documentary videos performed better than those taught with the traditional teaching method; and there was a significant difference in the performance of students taught Setting-out with documentary video and those taught with traditional teaching method. Based on the findings some recommendations were mad

Effects of processing on the mineral content, proximate composition and phytochemical factors of the seeds of bauhinia monandra (kurz)

The mineral content, nutritive value and anti-nutritional factors in boiled seeds of Bauhinia monandra collected from the main campus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria were evaluated. Mineral content analysis revealed concentrations of Potassium 103.33mg/g, Iron 75.92mg/g, Calcium 56.55mg/g, Sodium 53.33mg/g, Phosphorus 47.60mg/g, Magnesium 43.33mg/g, and Zinc 01.11mg/g. Proximate composition of the seeds showed high crude protein in the boiled (25.75-31.69mg/g) and low crude fiber (7.11-10.75mg/g) in the raw samples. Phytochemical screening of the seeds showed that the concentration of Hydrogen cyanide, fluorine and sulphur levels reduced significantly (

Balancing Audience’s Needs and Producer’s Expectations in Television Serial Drama Programming

The study sheds light on how the TV station executives balance the entertainment needs of its audience and the producers' expectations within a changing digital broadcast environment. The study is anchored on uses and gratification and the encoding and decoding theories. The research employs a mixed-method design by using survey questionnaires (415), FGDs, and in-depth interviews with 5 TV station executives and serial drama fiction producers in Kenya. The results indicate that the station executive takes centre stage to fulfil the urban audience’s needs and the producers’ needs respectively. The station executives contextualize the viewers and the serial drama producers as “profit vessels” and any decision made towards them should culminate in economic benefit to the statio

Modified water-cement ratio law for compressive strength of rice husk ash concrete

This work examines the modification of age long water – cement ratio law of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) concrete to cater for concrete with Rice Husk Ash (RHA). Chemical analysis of RHA produced under controlled temperature of 600°C was carried out. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) RHA concrete cubes at five different water/binder ratios and at six replacement levels of RHA (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%) were produced with specific attention given to cement/water (c/w) content and RHA/water (r/w) content. The cubes were subjected to compressive strength test at 56 days of curing producing a compressive strength in the range of 3.77 N/mm² to 34.04N/mm². A linear polynomial model was fitted into the experimental data using Minitab Package and was found adequate with an adjusted coefficient of determination of 73.0%.Test results show that the compressive strength of hardened RHA concrete depends on cement/water content by weight on one part and RHA/water content by weight on the other part. This indicates that the model equation is suitable to evaluate the compressive strength of RHA concrete at 95% confidence interval and the linear model has the capability of explaining the variability in the data by 73%.Keywords: water-cement ratio, compressive strength, rice husk ash, model

EFFECTS OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL FACTORS ON SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF THE PHYTOPLANKTON IN NGURU LAKE, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA.

Studies were conducted in Nguru Lake between May 2006 and April 2008 to map temporal changes in phytoplankton composition and attempt to relate these changes to physico-chemical parameters in the ecosystem. Temperature, conductivity and alkalinity showed significant spatial variation. Nutrients showed significant seasonal variation. Twenty five phytoplankton genera were recorded. Green algae (Chlorophyta) were the most dominant contributing 46% of the total biomass followed by blue green algae-Cyanophyta(29%), Bacillariophyta(22%) and Dinophyta(2%). Seasonal changes were observed for the three major plant nutrients total phosphorus (PO­4-P) ranged from 5.2 -9.6mg/l. Total nitrogen (NO3-N) ranged from 2.4-12.8mg/l and sulphates ranged from 1.0-10.1mg/l. wide variations in environmental variables were observed in the lake. Results obtained in this study showed that the lake was undergoing gradual eutrophication resulting in deterioration of water quality, decreased fish yield and subsequent reduced income to the local communities. The eutrophication was further aggravated by increasing human and livestock population. Key Words: Biomass, Nguru Lake, Nutrients, Phytoplankton, Water quality

In vitro Inhibitory Studies and Effect of Selected Plant Extracts and Cations on Elastase (EC 3.4.21.11) Activity produced by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus

Elastase is a member of the serine protease enzyme family that hydrolytically degrades elastin, a connective tissue component leading to aging and wrinkling of the skin. In this report, we investigated the in-vitro inhibitory effects of some cations and n-hexane extract of Hibiscus cannabinus, Vernonia amygdalina, Murraya koenigii, and Telfairia occidentalis on the activity of Elastase isolated from Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Elastase was extracted, isolated and partially purified from Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The data obtained in this study demonstrated that the activity of elastase in Aspergillus flavus was higher compared to that of Aspergillus niger after salting out. The elastase inhibition activities of Hibiscus cannabinus, Vernonia amygdalina, Murraya koenigii, and Telfairia occidentalis reveal that the leaf extract from Murraya koenigii, in Aspergillus flavus had more significant inhibition was obtained compared to that of Aspergillus niger, with inhibitory effect from 40µg/ml. While that of Hibiscus cannabinus showed similar inhibition characteristics to Murraya koenigii. Both Hibiscus cannabinus and Vernonia amygdalina had an effect at 80µg/ml; all the extracts appeared to have more effects on the enzyme obtained from Aspergillus flavus than from the Aspergillus niger. The potential of exploring these plant extract as an anti-aging recipe was discussed. Keywords: Inhibitory studies, Elastase, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Hibiscus cannabinus, Vernonia amygdalina, Murraya koenigii, and Telfairia occidentali

Strycnos spinosa decreases the blood glucose and lipid levels of diabetic albino rats

Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic levels with an estimate of 451 million cases worldwide in 2017. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin. Strychnos spinosa has been used in folk medicine as a remedy for various diseases including diabetes but the exact mechanism of action is still unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of the methanolic extract of the Strychnos spinosa leaves on alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 150 mg/kg. The pure extract of S. spinosa leaf was given orally once daily for 2 weeks in three graded doses of 150, 300 and 500 mg/kg and glibenclamide was used to treat the positive control group. Following treatments, the glucose level and lipid profile assay were carried out using colorimetric methods. The extracts significantly reduced (p<0.05) the fasting blood glucose, TAG and cholesterol levels of the diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Treatment with the extract also decreased mortalities of the diabetic rats. These findings provides evidence to the increased use of the plant in folk medicine

Assessing the Relevance of Practical Activities in the Teaching and Learning of Integrated Science in Juniour Secondary Schools in Gombe Metropolis of Gombe State

The study was carried out to find out the level of application of practical activities in learning science concepts in integrated science in the secondary schools in Gombe metropolis, also it sought to find out the problems that militate against the successful application of practical activities in learning science concepts. The study was guided by five research questions and one hypothesis. The study adopted a quasi experimental research design and consists of the control and experimental group in determining the effect of practical activities on students’ academic achievement, the control group received no treatment while the experimental group was taught for a period of two weeks employing practical activities.  Also a questionnaire was designed for the teachers, to get their opinion about practical activities in learning science concepts as test was administered to the students to determine the difference in the academic achievement of students taught employing practical activities and those taught with the conventional method. The SPSS was used for the statistical analysis of Pearson Product moment correlation coefficient and the study made the following findings, practical activities in learning science concepts increases students achievement in science, spurs their motivation for learning and makes learning more meaningful as theories are concretized. The study also suggested training and retraining of integrated science teachers to enable the mastery of methodologies recommended for the teaching of integrated science and application of practical activities in the learning of science concepts

Synthesis of fatty acid methyl esters from used vegetable oil using activated anthill as catalyst

In this present study transesterification of used vegetable oil (UVO) using synthesized activated anthill as catalyst was investigated. The catalyst was prepared via calcination process, characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. From the BET analysis; calcination temperature has a positive impact on the textural properties. The XRD shows that the catalyst is crystalline in nature. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) was produced using thermally activated anthill as catalyst. The optimal FAME yield of 94.85 % was obtained at Methanol/Oil (M/O) 9:1, catalyst loading 1.5 wt%, reaction temperature of 65 ᵒ and reaction time of 2 h. The physico-chemical properties of UVO – FAME produced was found to be within the American Society for Testing and Methods (ASTM). Hence, the study reveals that used vegetable oil catalyzed by novel activated anthill could be an effective feedstock to produce sustainable energy. Keywords: Anthills, FAME, Central composite design, Heterogeneous, used vegetable oil

Investing in Human Capital in Difficult Times: Maine’s Competitive Skills Scholarship Program

The authors describe how the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program, administered by the Maine Department of Labor, aims both to meet the needs of Maine employers through improved access to a skilled labor force and to improve job prospects for low-income Mainers by providing access to educa­tion, training, and support. They note that many currently unemployed workers do not have the skills or experience to take advantage of the new job opportunities that are likely to arise, and that there is a demonstrated correlation between higher levels of education and training and both higher income and reduced unemployment. Preliminary data suggest a high level of satisfaction by program participants and that graduates are finding positions in high-growth, high-wage occupations