STRATEGIES FOR TEACHER MENTORING IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the strategies adopted for mentoring in public universities in Rivers state. one (1) research question and one (1) hypothesis guided the study. The design adopted for the study was the descriptive survey. The population of the study was two thousand two hundred and twenty-two (2,222) university lecturers in the three public universities in Rivers state, out of which a sample size of six hundred (600) lecturers were drawn using stratified random sampling technique. An 8-item instrument titled Strategies for Mentoring Questionnaire (SFMQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by the researcher’s supervisors as well as three (2) experts in the same Department. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha with an index of 0.71. The research questions of the study were answered using mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested using z-test at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that the strategies adopted for Mentoring were not effective and efficient. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that university administrators should adopt effective strategies like collaboration and documentation. This according to the study can be achieved by adequate planning and funding of mentoring programme. Article visualizations

Effect of aqueous fruit extract of Xylopia aethiopica on reproductive hormones in male guinea pigs

The effect of aqueous fruit extract of xylopia aethiopica on reproductive hormones in male guinea pigs was investigated using 60 mature male guinea pigs which were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12 animals each. Daily oral doses of 2.5mg/kg, 5mg/kg, 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg of extract were administered to each of the animals in the four treatment groups respectively, while the control group received equal volume of distilled water only. Blood from 6 animals in each group were analysed for leuteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) andTestosterone on the 8th and 15th days of the experiment by classical ELISA method, using Human kits. The result shows a dose dependent significant (p<0.05) decrease in the plasma levels of LH, FSH and Testosterone for both the 7 days and 14 days treatment groups respectively. Also, a time dependent significant (p<0.05) decrease wasobserved for both LH and FSH at all treatment doses. This suggests that the use of xylopia aethiopica fruits by human males may have both dose and time dependent adverse effects on the reproductive hormones, and therefore on their reproductive capacity

Experimental validation of optimum resistance moment of concrete slabs reinforced with carbon fibre-reinforced plastic

Fibre-Reinforced Plastics (FRPs) have been suggested as suitable reinforcement for concrete structures among other solutions to combat corrosion problems in steel reinforced concrete. This paper presents the experimental validation of optimum resistance moment of concrete slabs reinforced with Carbon-Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). Eight specimens of two-way spanning slabs reinforced with CFRP bars were used in the experiment. They were designed to achieve two classical failure modes: rupture of the reinforcements (tension failure) and crushing of the concrete while the reinforcement remains elastic (compression failure). This was accomplished by using reinforcement ratios less, and more than the balanced reinforcement ratio, , for the slabs, respectively. All the slabs failed as predicted. The results obtained show that the design formulations for predicting the minimum flexural resistance of an CFRP-reinforced concrete member provided by CSAS806-02(R07) have been underestimated. The design formulations were found to underestimate the resistance moment capacity of CFRP-reinforced concrete slabs by about 33%.Keywords: optimum resistance moment, concrete slabs, CFRP, design formulation

Changes in some female reproductive parameters of Albino wistar rats by hydroethanol leaf extract of fleurya aestuans

Background: This study investigated the effects of hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Fleurya aestuans (FA) on some female reproductive hormones in female albino wistar rats.Methods: Thirty-two (32) rats weighing 120 to 200g were grouped into four of eight rats each. After two weeks of acclimatization, group 1 served as the control group. Groups 2, 3 and 4 served as the test groups and were orally administered with (75, 150 and 300) mg/kg body weight of hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Fleurya aestuans (FA) respectively, for 42 days. The animals were allowed access to water and feeds ad libitum. At the end of treatment, the animals were properly sedated and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture. The blood samples were centrifuged and serum obtained was used to determine the concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen and progesterone using the ELISA method. Also, the ovaries of each rat were harvested and fixed for histological studies. Raw data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.Results: The hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of F. aestuans significantly (P<0.05) increased serum concentrations of FSH and LH in all test groups. Whereas, estrogen and progesterone increased significantly (P<0.05) in test Groups 2 (75mg/kg) and 3 (150mg/kg) but were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in test Group 4 (300mg/kg). Histological examination of the ovaries showed only primary follicles in Groups 1 and 4, while, Graafian follicle and corpus luteum were seen in groups 2 and 3. This suggests that the hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Fleurya aestuans contains possible biologically active properties that may be potent in enhancing serum concentrations of FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone but may be ineffective at a higher dose.Conclusions: The current study showed that hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Fleurya aestuans promotes fertility in females and suggests that caution be taken in the quantity of this extract consumed if to be considered for fertility enhancement purposes in females

Integrated water resources management in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable national development

This research is aimed at reviewing the current position and implication of sustainable national development of Nigeria as it concerns holistic water resources management. A new model of integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been developed by researchers and theorists and supported by international organisations that emphasize the multifunctional nature of water. However, there has been much debate on the feasibility of IWRM especially in the African context. The approach adopted in this paper is the review of literature centred on the implementation of IWRM in developing countries and with particular reference to Africa and makes recommendations that would ensure continued progress in the management of water resources in Nigeria. Among the conclusions reached in this paper is the fact that although the process of implementing IWRM in Nigeria may be difficult, a progressive approach that prioritises capacity development, policy and institutional reforms, and transparency will go a long way towards ensuring that Nigeria’s vast water resources are managed and developed in a way that maximises benefit while maintaining the health of the natural environment

Integrated water resources management in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable national development

This research is aimed at reviewing the current position and implication of sustainable national development of Nigeria as it concerns holistic water resources management. A new model of integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been developed by researchers and theorists and supported by international organisations that emphasize the multifunctional nature of water. However, there has been much debate on the feasibility of IWRM especially in the African context. The approach adopted in this paper is the review of literature centred on the implementation of IWRM in developing countries and with particular reference to Africa and makes recommendations that would ensure continued progress in the management of water resources in Nigeria. Among the conclusions reached in this paper is the fact that although the process of implementing IWRM in Nigeria may be difficult, a progressive approach that prioritises capacity development, policy and institutional reforms, and transparency will go a long way towards ensuring that Nigeria’s vast water resources are managed and developed in a way that maximises benefit while maintaining the health of the natural environment

Targeting the Blood-Brain Barrier to Prevent Sepsis-Associated Cognitive Impairment

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory disease resulting from an infection. This disorder affects 750 000 people annually in the United States and has a 62% rehospitalization rate. Septic symptoms range from typical flu-like symptoms (eg, headache, fever) to a multifactorial syndrome known as sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Patients with SAE exhibit an acute altered mental status and often have higher mortality and morbidity. In addition, many sepsis survivors are also burdened with long-term cognitive impairment. The mechanisms through which sepsis initiates SAE and promotes long-term cognitive impairment in septic survivors are poorly understood. Due to its unique role as an interface between the brain and the periphery, numerous studies support a regulatory role for the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the progression of acute and chronic brain dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the current body of literature which supports the BBB as a nexus which integrates signals from the brain and the periphery in sepsis. We highlight key insights on the mechanisms that contribute to the BBB’s role in sepsis which include neuroinflammation, increased barrier permeability, immune cell infiltration, mitochondrial dysfunction, and a potential barrier role for tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). Finally, we address current drug treatments (eg, antimicrobials and intravenous immunoglobulins) for sepsis and their potential outcomes on brain function. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms may enable clinicians to target specific aspects of BBB function as a therapeutic tool to limit long-term cognitive impairment in sepsis survivors

Heterotropic pregnancy: a common masquerade than ever thought?

Heterotopic pregnancy, coexistence of living or dead intrauterine pregnancy, single or multiple, with extra-uterine pregnancy located in the oviduct, ovary, uterine cornua, cervix or rarely peritoneal cavity. Heterotropic pregnancy is relatively uncommon in spontaneous conception with 1 in 30,000 cases reported, the incidence of heterotopic pregnancy increases to 1 in 3900 when conception is enhanced with various assisted reproduction techniques (ART). It is an ectopic pregnancy coexisting with intrauterine pregnancy. But is the incidence of heterotropic pregnancy rising? A case was reported from our centre in 2018 by Ejikeme et al, and we have recorded another two cases in the period of one year. Ectopic pregnancy has been described as a great masquerader, which makes diagnosis and management of heterotropic pregnancy a dilemma to attending physician. We present a case of an unbooked 26 years old G4P3+0 who has no family history of multiple gestation and presented at gestational age of 8 weeks and 5 days with 2 days history of abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding and 2 hours history of loss of consciousness. She later had exploratory laparotomy with left salpingectomy and manual vacuum aspiration of Retained Products of Conception with good outcome. In conclusion, spontaneous heterotropic pregnancy is a rare occurrence, however with advent of artificial reproductive technology and increase incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, the incidence could be higher than earlier suspected

Assessment of water resources development and exploitation in Nigeria: A review of integrated water resources management approach

This research aims to review the current state and limitations of water resources management in Nigeria and explore how adopting an integrated approach to water management can strengthen socio-economic development. As the support for integrated water resources management (IWRM) grows, it is necessary to explore how feasible it is in the Nigerian context especially with many Nigerian states facing water stress even with the country's substantial resources. This paper reviews literature related to the implementation of IWRM around the world with particular reference to developing countries in Africa and draws parallels between their experience and the possibilities that exist for IWRM in Nigeria. Progress on adopting IWRM in Nigeria is discussed and the pitfalls to implementing IWRM in practice are identified. Among the hindrances to effective water resources management in the country is the lack of good water governance, which has affected the quality of water legislation and institutions.This paper concludes that the slow progress of IWRM implementation in Nigeria is the result of an unclear framework for implementing IWRM in the country. This paper recommends an iterative approach to implementing IWRM that allows for adaptation and is tailored to solve specific water problems in Nigeria

Poverty and trade liberalization: empirical evidence from 21 African countries

The study investigated the possible nexus between trade liberalization and poverty in 21 African countries covering the period 2005–2014. The study deployed the following econometric tests: descriptive statistics; the correlation matrix and variance inflator; the panel unit root test; the pooled OLS technique; and the panel co-integration test (Johansen co-integration test). In order to confirm the robustness and validity of the regression model result, Ramsey RESET, cross dependence, autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity tests were conducted. The findings reveal that foreign direct investment and inflation rate had a positive relationship with the human development index while exchange rates and trade openness were negatively related to poverty level at the 5 percent level. The study recommended urgent policy measures aimed at revamping the poverty alleviation programmes. The study recommended that in a bid to diversify export market, developing countries should target other developing countries in the spirit of South–South cooperation. Such countries should also consider the joining or strengthening of regional economic integration. Incentives for production and human capacity building in the export-oriented sector should be emplaced. Social and economic policies are required to protect any country against the adverse effects of lowered trade barriers