Effect of using “Just-In-Time Teaching (JITT)” Method and “Modified Lecture” Method in Teaching Cataloguing and Classification Courses in Anambra State

This study was designed to investigate the effect of just-in time on the academic achievement and interest of students offering cataloguing and classification course in Anambra State. In other to effectively carry out the study, it adopted the quasi experimental design particularly the pretest and posttest non-equivalent control group. The sample for the study comprised of 81 students from 2 selected tertiary schools (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and Federal Polytechnic Oko) out of five tertiary schools in the area using purposive random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was Cataloguing and Classification Achievement Test (CCAT) validated by two lectures in library and information science and measurement and evaluation. The reliability of instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha which yielded coefficient of internal consistency of 0.81. Data were collected by administering CAT as pretest, and posttest .The data obtained was analyzed using mean, and ANCOVA. Three research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. The results showed that there is significant difference in the mean achievement scores of male and female students in the experimental group, in favour of females. The result also showed that there is a significant difference between the mean achievement scores in cataloguing and classification of students in the just-in-time instructional strategy and modified lecture method groups, in favour of the just in time instructional strategy group. The researcher recommended that cataloguing lecturers should adopt the just-in-time instruction approach in teaching cataloguing concepts. Special training on how to use the just-in-time teaching method in teaching should be organized for cataloguing and classification lecturers by the government and Nigerian Library Association (NLA); so as to help them become competent in its use and application

Excerpt from <em>Black Cosmopolitanism: Racial Consciousness and Transnational Identity in the Nineteenth-Century Americas</em>

Excerpted from Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo, Black Cosmopolitanism: Racial Consciousness and Transnational Identity in the Nineteenth-Century Americas (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014)

Excerpt from Black Cosmopolitanism: Racial Consciousness and Transnational Identity in the Nineteenth-Century Americas

Excerpted from Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo, Black Cosmopolitanism: Racial Consciousness and Transnational Identity in the Nineteenth-Century Americas (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014)

Analysis of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Promoted Agrochemical use Among Women Farmers In Abia State

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2023, 10(2):94-103 Authors: Ifeoma Vivian Nwankwo*, Mbajiuka Stella Chinenye, Lovina Odoemelam, and Oluchi Maduka Received: &nbsp;&nbsp;09 September&nbsp; 2023/Accepted 30 November 2023 This study analyzed ADP-promoted agrochemicals applications among women farmers in Abia State through the examination of socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, their awareness of ADP-promoted agrochemicals and the extent of application of these chemicals. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 180 women farmers for the study. Data for the study were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequencies and mean scores and the hypothesis was tested using simple linear regression. From the result, the average age of the respondents was 50years, 36% had secondary education and their mean annual income was N100,455.60. Furthermore, 70% of the respondents were aware of the chemicals for the control of insect pests, 71% were aware of the chemicals for weed control when crops have emerged, 53.4% were aware of chemicals for the control of&nbsp; weeds before planting while 68.9% were aware of the right fertilizer to use for their crop. The result also shows a low extent of utilization of the agrochemicals (x 1.94). Marital status, tenure system, farm size, level of education and extent of utilization of agrochemicals showed a significant relationship at a 5% level of probability. The study concluded that while awareness of the agrochemicals was high, the level of utilization was low. The study therefore recommends that extension agents should provide advisory services to women farmers on where to obtain the needed agrochemicals that are affordable. Also, ADP, The state government and other stakeholders should provide subsidized inputs to women farmers, especially in the COVID-19 era to boost food security and enhance healthy living

Synergistic effects of alloying elements and solid solution treatment on the impact energy, density and conductivity of Cu-3Si-3(Zn, Sn) alloys system

Abstract: The present study explored the synergistic effects of alloying elements and solid solution treatment on the impact energy, density, and conductivity of Cu-3Si-(Zn, Sn) alloys system. Response surface optimal design (RSOD) was utilized to design the alloys compositions. The Cu-3Si-3(Zn, Sn) alloys samples were cast employing stir-casting technique and machined to the required dimensions for the properties tests. The cast samples underwent solid solution at temperature of 900oC for 5 h. The microstructures of the cast samples were analyzed using optical metallurgical microscope (OM). The OM results revealed increased solid solution of zinc in the copper matrix after solid solution heat treatment. Conversely, tin showed increased segregation (coarse grains) in the copper matrix after heat treatment. This led to increase in electrical conductivity of Cu-3Si-3(Sn) ternary alloy in heat treated condition, unlike in Cu-3Si-3(Zn) where a decrease in electrical conductivity is obtained. Both Cu-3Si-3(Zn) and Cu-3Si-3(Sn) ternary alloys recorded increase in impact energy compared with the parent alloy (Cu-3Si). The impact energy of Cu-3Si-3(Sn) ternary alloy recorded a slight increase from 25.2 J to 25.9 J after heat treatment. Cu-3Si-3(Sn) ternary alloy also recorded a slight decrease in density compared with the as-cast Cu-3Si-3(Sn) and parent alloys. Solid solution heat treatment had no positive effect of the impact energy and electrical conductivity of Cu-3Si-3(Zn) ternary alloy. Keywords: Cu-3Si-3Zn; Cu-3Si-3Sn; grainsmorphology; strength; hardness. Title: Synergistic effects of alloying elements and solid solution treatment on the impact energy, density and conductivity of Cu-3Si-3(Zn, Sn) alloys system Author: Agatha Ifeoma ijomah, Kingsley Chidi Nnakwo, Nkem Emelike Nwankwo, Ifeanacho Uchenna Okeke International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research ISSN 2348-7607 (Online) Vol. 11, Issue 1, April 2023 - September 2023 Page No: 85-90 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 15-September-2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8348613 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/synergistic-effects-of-alloying-elements-and-solid-solution-treatment-on-the-impact-energy-density-and-conductivity-of-cu-3si-3zn-sn-alloys-systemInternational Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research, ISSN 2348-7607 (Online), Research Publish Journals, Website: www.researchpublish.co

Response of Gait Output and Handgrip Strength to Changes in Body Fat Mass in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women

Background: Available preliminary data on menopause does not relate changes in body fat mass (BFM) and handgrip strength (HGS) (an indicator of body/muscle strength) to gait parameters. Objective: To determine the relationship between BFM, HGS and gait parameters, namely, stride length (SL) (an indicator of walking balance/postural stability), stride frequency (SF), and velocity (V) (gait out- put), to guide gait training. Methods: Ninety consenting (45 postmenopausal and 45 premenopausal) female staffof the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, were randomly selected and assessed for BFM and HGS with a hydration monitor and dynamometer, respectively, in an observational study. The mean of 2 trials of the number of steps and time taken to cover a 10-m distance at normal speed was used to calculate SF, SL, and V. Data were analyzed using an independent t test and a Pearson correlation coefficient at P < 0.05. Results: Premenopausal (BFM = 42.93% [12.61%], HGS = 27.89 [7.52] kg, stride ratio = 1.43, and velocity = 1.04 [0.01] m/sec) and postmenopausal (BFM = 41.55% [12.71%], HGS = 30.91 [7.07] kg, stride ratio = 1.44, and velocity = 1.06 [0.01] m/sec) women showed no significant differences in gait output/velocity ( t = 0.138; P = 0.89; d = 0.029). At postmenopause, BFM was significantly and negatively ( r = –0.369; r 2 = 0.1362; P = 0.013) correlated with SL, whereas HGS was positively and significantly ( r = 0.323; r 2 = 0.104; P = 0.030) correlated with gait output at premenopause. Conclusions: BFM may adversely influence walking balance at postmenopause, whereas HGS may enhance gait output at premenopause but not postmenopause. Therefore, muscle strengthening alone may not enhance gait output in postmenopausal women without balance training

Comparison of Antibiotic-Resistant Pattern of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase and Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia Coli Isolates from Clinical and Non-Clinical Sources

The increasing rate of antibiotic resistance among E. coli especially those mediated by extended spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenem-resistant (CR) presents a major threat to public health and healthcare delivery globally. The aim of this research was to compare the antibiotic resistant pattern of extended spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from clinical and non-clinical sources. A total of two hundred and fifteen (215) clinical and non-clinical samples were collected for the study. The collected samples were analysis using Standard Microbiological protocol for isolation and identification. Phenotypic detection of ESBL Production and carbapenem resistant was performed using Double Disk Synergy Test (DDST) and Modified Hodge Test (MHT) respectively. Antibiogram studies of ESBL producing and Carbapenem-resistant E. coli was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. The result of isolation and characterization revealed higher occurrence rate of clinical isolates of E. coli&nbsp; 66.1 % over non-clinical sample 54.0%. Phenotypic ESBL screening of isolated E. coli revealed overall detection rate of 35(30.4 %) and 13(13.0 %) in clinical and non-clinical source respectively while overall detection rate of carbapenem resistant ESBL producers accounted 9.6 % and 8.0 % in clinical and non-clinical isolates respectively. The isolates exhibited high percentage of resistance to nitrofurantion 100 %, cefepime 100 % colistin 66.7 %, amikacin 50.0 % and also exhibit MDR with MARI value of ≥ 0.5. Comparison of antibiotic resistant pattern of carbapenem-resistant extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli isolates from clinical and non-clinical sources showed no statistical significant difference P-value &lt; 0.05 but were 100 % susceptible to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. The pattern of similar MDR portrayed by clinical and non-clinical isolate should not be overlooked due to its hyper-motility and virulence domination leading to possible AMR transfer to other bacterial organisms and also, appropriate measures such as pretreatment of animal excrement before being used as fertilizers and the quality of irrigation water, hospital effluent discharge need to be taken into consideration to prevent the spread of resistant determinant. Keywords: Escherichia coli, Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase, Carbapenem-Resistant, clinical, non-clinica

Evidence of seasonal changes in airborne particulate matter concentration and occupation-specific variations in pulmonary function and haematological parameters among some workers in Enugu Southeast Nigeria: a randomized cross-sectional observational study

Background: Upsurge in cardiopulmonary dysfunctions in Enugu, Nigeria, involved mainly cement workers, automobile spray painters, woodworkers, and Cleaners and was worsened in the dry season, suggesting the need for an occupation-specific characterization of the disease features and seasonal evaluation of air quality for prevention and management. Methods: We conducted a randomized cross-sectional study of eighty consenting participants (in Achara Layout, Enugu), comprising 20 cement workers (39.50 ± 14.95 years), 20 automobile spray painters (40.75 ± 9.85 years), 20 woodworkers (52.20 ± 9.77 years), and 20 cleaners (42.30 ± 9.06 years). The air quality, some haematological (fibrinogen-Fc, and C-reactive protein-CRP), and cardiopulmonary parameters were measured and analyzed using ANCOVA, at p < 0.05. Results: The dry season particulate matter (PM) in ambient air exceeded the WHO standards in the New layout [PM10 = 541.17 ± 258.72 µg/m3; PM2.5 = 72.92 ± 25.81 µg/m3] and the University campus [PM10 = 244 ± 74.79 µg/m3; PM2.5 = 30.33 ± 16.10 µg/m3], but the former was twice higher. The PM differed significantly (p < 0.05) across the sites. Forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1) (F = 6.128; p = 0.001), and Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (F = 5.523; p = 0.002), differed significantly across the groups. FEV1/FVC% was < 70% in cement workers (55.33%) and woodworkers (61.79%), unlike, automobile spray painters (72.22%) and cleaners (70.66%). FEV1 and work duration were significantly and negatively related in cement workers (r = -0.46; r2 = 0.2116; p = 0.041 one-tailed). CRP (normal range ≤ 3.0 mg/L) and Fc (normal range—1.5–3.0 g/L) varied in cement workers (3.32 ± 0.93 mg/L versus 3.01 ± 0.85 g/L), automobile spray painters (2.90 ± 1.19 mg/L versus 2.54 ± 0.99 mg/L), woodworkers (2.79 ± 1.10 mg/L versus 2.37 ± 0.92 g/L) and cleaners (3.06 ± 0.82 mg/L versus 2.54 ± 0.70 g/L). Conclusion(s): Poor air quality was evident at the study sites, especially in the dry season. Cement workers and automobile spray painters showed significant risks of obstructive pulmonary diseases while woodworkers had restrictive lung diseases. Cement workers and cleaners recorded the highest risk of coronary heart disease (CRP ≥ 3.0 mg/L). The similarity in Fc and CRP trends suggests a role for the inflammation-sensitive proteins in the determination of cardiovascular risk in cement workers and cleaners. Therefore, there are occupation-specific disease endpoints of public health concern that likewise warrant specific preventive and management approaches among the workers