Concepts Which May be Used in a Study of Transportation in Elementary School Social Studies

The purpose of this study was to identify concepts applicable to a unit on transportation in an elementary school social studies program

ENHANCING TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGIES FOR PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATORS TO ACCOMMODATE VERNACULAR LANGUAGE DIVERSITIES IN HANANG DISTRICT, TANZANIA

The study assessed public primary school teachers' strategies for accommodating learners with vernacular language backgrounds in Hanang District, Tanzania. The study involved 110 participants, including 44 teachers and 49 pupils, 4 Ward Education Officers, 1 School Quality Assurance Officer, 1 District Primary Academic Officer, and 11 head teachers. The study employed a mixed research approach. The study selected the sample size using simple random and purposive sampling, and we collected the data through questionnaires, interviews, and observation. The collected data was analyzed using computer software, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). The study's findings indicated that most public primary school teachers in Hanang used multiple teaching strategies, such as songs, total physical response, questions and answers, the direct method, and reading aloud, to accommodate pupils with vernacular language backgrounds. These strategies were most frequently employed in lower levels, exceptionally standard one and two. Further, primary school teachers were using teaching and learning materials like pictures, photographs, drawings, cards, flip charts, and natural objects. Also, primary school teachers assess and evaluate their pupils through written exercises, tests, questions and answers, and oral quizzes. The study concluded that multiple teaching strategies helped learners with vernacular backgrounds in public primary schools to master Kiswahili. Also, the assessment and evaluation tools in public primary schools effectively accommodated all pupils’ capabilities and levels of skills. Therefore, teachers should construct standard tests. Hence, the study recommended that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) organize seminars, workshops and in-service training (IN-SET) to update and impart new knowledge to the teachers on using teaching strategies and preparing practical assessment tools. The government should also employ enough primary school teachers specialized in early childhood education, construct many classrooms and supply sufficient and relevant teaching and learning materials.  Article visualizations

Webometrics Ranking and Its Relationship to Quality Education and Research inAcademic Institutions in Kenya

Examine the relationship between webometrics ranking and the quality of education and research in academic institutions in Kenya; and suggest appropriate solutions to enhance the practice. Descriptive survey design applied quantitative and qualitative research where structured questionnaire and document reviews were used to collect data from the respondents. Webometrics ranking promotes quality of education and research in academic institutions through visibility that showcases research activities and enriches knowledge. Collaboration and partnerships was the leading strategy for high webometrics ranking practice and performance in academic institutions. Numerous strategies were recommended for maintaining and improving webometrics ranking performance including use of web champions, marketing and awareness. Practice of webometrics ranking as a basis for evaluating performance in institutions of higher learning and education is gaining momentum worldwide. Excellence performance based on webometrics matrix provides practical lessons, suggestions and local solutions for other institutions of higher learning. Webometrics ranking promotes quality research and education in institutions of higher learning; provides public information on academic standing and performance; fosters competition in academic institutions; provides evidence that stimulates the evolution of centres of excellence; and enhances additional rationale for allocation of funds. Practice supports teaching, research related activities and scholarly communications that promotes the need for development of standards and policies in higher education and learning. Fundamental in fostering competition and promoting quality education and research through enrichment of knowledge and content repositories. Strategies for sustainable webometrics ranking performance need to be stipulated in achieving excellence performance in higher education and learning

Taking Stock of Poverty Reduction Efforts in Nigeria

This study is an evaluation of the Poverty Eradication Programmes in Nigeria. It tries to assess their effectiveness in helping to improve on the lives of the poor. Primary data were collected through questionnaire administered to randomly selected adult male and female residents in Enugu State of Nigeria. Secondary data were collected from the Poverty Eradication office in the State. The analysis shows that most of the poverty reduction efforts had no significant impact on the lives of the poor. Even those that were recorded as effective had negligible impact on the populace to have reduced poverty. The study enumerates among others inadequate funding, mismanagement of resources and inadequate infrastructures as problems stifling most poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria. The study recommends that in addition to establishing these Poverty alleviation programmes, Nigeria should strive to move away from import dependent economy to an export oriented one.Key words: Poverty eradication programmes; Nigeria; Effectivenes

THE CHOICE OF BIOPREPARATION FOR THE CORRECTION OF INTESTINAL DYSBACTERIOSIS IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC HBV INFECTION AND GIARDIASIS

Research objective: to assess efficiency of application of bio preparations in the correction of intestinal dysbacteriosis taking into account the results of “Load” test in vitro in children with chronic hepatitis B together with giardiasis. Material and methods. We examined one hundred and fifty children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with concomitant giardiasis in the age from 3 to 18 years old. The diagnosis was based on data from history, results of clinical tests, biochemical and instrumental tests. Laboratory diagnostics of giardiasis was performed using the following methods: immune fluorescent method (G. Lamblia antigen in feces), polymerase chain reaction (G. Lamblia DNA in blood and feces), and triple microscopic test for precipitation components of feces. For the definition of lymphocyte sensitivity to bio preparations to choose the agent we applied loading test in vitro. For the correction of dysbacteriosis using the basic therapy we used very sensitive polycomponent probiotics in capsules such as “Bifilax-immuno”, “Lacto-G”, and “Narimax-plus”.Lamblia eradication was performed using Macmirror (Nifuratel) 15mg/kg two times a day for 10 days. Assessment of the efficiency of the prescribed therapy was done according to the clinical, biochemical, and bacteriological data. Results. We determined a direct proportional decrease of lymphocyte ability for E-rosette formation dependent on the expression of intestinal dysbacteriosis. The most sensitive biopreparation in in vitro test was Bifilax-immuno (62.7%), which differed by its quantitative and qualitative composition compared to Lacto-G (48.0%) and Narimax-plus (38.7%), р\u3c0.05. Prescription of anti-giardiasis therapy with individually chosen very sensitive biopreparation for the correction of intestinal dysbacteriosis in children with CHB provided achievement of stabilization (60.0%) and regression of pathological process in liver, prevention of unfavorable outcomes such as hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusion. Differential approach to the choice of probiotic for the correction of intestinal dysbacteriosis provides the increase of the efficiency of therapy in children with CHB with concomitant giardiasis by 40.1%. Development of clinical, biochemical, and microbiological remission was achieved using Bifilax-immuno in 76.5% cases, Lacto-G in 64.4%, and Narimax-plus in 62.0% of the cases respectively (p \u3c 0.01). In relation to that, children with CHB and concomitant giardiasis together with the test for intestinal dysbacteriosis have to undergo loading test in vitro for the prescription of efficient and targeted correction taking into account individual sensitivity of an organism to biopreparations

Shelf Life Study and Quality Attributes of Cocoyam Chips

The study was carried out to determine changes in the quality indices (levels of peroxides values, acid values, pH and colour) of cocoyam chips and microbiological safety (bacterial, yeast and mould counts) of cocoyam chips as influenced by temperature during storage period of fried cocoyam chips. Cocoyam tubers were processed into chips of 3mm thickness; the slices were then fried at a frying temperature of 170°C in a shallow pot for 7 minutes and was packaged in polyethylene bags and stored under room and refrigerator temperature. The results showed that there was significant difference (p≤0.05) between quality indices, microbiological safety and storage temperature and packaging materials. From week 0-5, peroxide values of samples stored under refrigeration temperature were found to be low, ranged from 3.39 - 11.58 meq kg-1, while the samples stored in the room temperature were found to be higher 3.81 - 12.87 meq kg-1. Acid values were also found to be low in the samples stored in the refrigerator, ranged from 5.79 - 16 3.34mg/g and the samples that were stored in the room temperature ranged from 9.94 - 24.05mg/g. The samples stored under refrigeration temperature had low bacterial counts ranged from 5.0 x 101 - 6.2 x 101 cfu/ml while samples stored in the room temperature had higher bacterial counts, ranged from 9.0 x 101 – 74 x 101 cfu/ml. Yeast and mould counts in samples stored under refrigeration temperature ranged from 4.0 x 101 - 32 x 10 cfu/ml while the samples that were stored in room temperature had higher counts, ranged from 3.0 x 10 – 38 x 10 cfu/ml. pH ranged between 6.88 - 7.02 for both samples during storage period. The results showed that storage temperature and properly sealed packaging material has effect on the above parameters that were determined. There were also colour changes during the storage period

Eradication of Poverty and Hunger in Nigeria: Issues and Options for Attainment of Millennium Development Goals

The saying that, “a country that cannot feed its poor, cannot assure sleep to its rich” is very apt. Eradicating poverty and hunger is the greatest challenge facing the world today. Progress has been made over the last generation in improving living standards in paper therefore, examined the challenges and options open in the poorest countries, but over a billion people still struggle in absolute poverty. This paper therefore, examined the challenges and options open in order to eradicate poverty in Nigeria. It was discovered that bad governance, poor economic policies, ill-timed reforms, corruption, lack of commitment to poverty eradication programmes and poor investment in rural agriculture were the prime cause(s) of hunger and poverty. All hope is not lost because there are options government can pursue such as ensuring broad-based growth good governance, tackling unemployment, basic needs approach etc in order to eradicate poverty and hunger. The paper is of the view that to eradicate hunger and poverty, economic growth is necessary but not a sufficient condition. There is need to induce broad-based growth and provide social services and infrastructure aimed at reducing/eradicating the depth and sovereignty of poverty and hunger across the country.Key words: Poverty; Eradication; Hunger; challenges; agricultur

Rasch Analysis, Dimensionality, and Scoring of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Irritability and Aggression Subscales in Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury

Objectives To develop, for versions completed by individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and an observer, a more precise metric for the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Irritability and Aggression subscales using all behavioral item ratings for use with individuals with TBI and to address the dimensionality of the represented behavioral domains. Design Rasch and confirmatory factor analyses of retrospective baseline NPI data from 3 treatment studies. Setting Postacute rehabilitation clinic. Participants NPI records (N = 525) consisting of observer ratings (n = 287) and self-ratings (n = 238) by participants with complicated mild, moderate, or severe TBI at least 6 months postinjury. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Frequency and severity ratings from NPI Irritability/Lability and Agitation/Aggression subscales. Results Confirmatory factor analyses of both observer and participant ratings showed good fit for either a 1-factor or a 2-factor solution. Consistent with this, the Rasch model also fit the data well with aggression items indicating the more severe end of the construct and irritability items populating the milder end. Conclusions Irritability and aggression appear to represent different levels of severity of a single construct. The derived Rasch metric offers a measure of this construct based on responses to all specific items that is appropriate for parametric statistical analysis and may be useful in research and clinical assessments of individuals with TBI