Effective Management of Wastages in Vocational Education for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

This paper focused on the management of wastages in vocational Education for sustainable development in Nigeria. It considered the state of vocational Education not receiving enough attention and the consequences of serious wastages. Wastages take diverse forms including brain drain, inadequate usage of human and material resources, poor maintenance of equipment, poor attitude of Vocational teachers to work, frequent strike action by teachers, unskilled graduates of vocational education, and underutilization of Building and equipment. A number of strategies were proffered to curb wastages in vocational education. One of such strategies was Government employment of skilled and experienced vocational education teachers who should be well remunerated, encouraged and motivated to maintain and sustain them in the educational industry. These strategies will help to improve vocational education, and ensure that professionally qualified vocational teachers remain in the system. The researchers also made recommendations among which is that ministry of Education should employ experts train vocational teachers and give them good welfare package to motivate them to effectively manage vocational education to curb wastages as to enhance economic and technological growth for sustainable development in Nigeria

Genome-wide association study of prevalent and persistent cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Background: Genetic factors may influence the susceptibility to high-risk (hr) human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and persistence. We conducted the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify variants associated with cervical hrHPV infection and persistence. Methods: Participants were 517 Nigerian women evaluated at baseline and 6 months follow-up visits for HPV. HPV was characterized using SPF10/LiPA25. hrHPV infection was positive if at least one carcinogenic HPV genotype was detected in a sample provided at the baseline visit and persistent if at least one carcinogenic HPV genotype was detected in each of the samples provided at the baseline and follow-up visits. Genotyping was done using the Illumina Multi-Ethnic Genotyping Array (MEGA) and imputation was done using the African Genome Resources Haplotype Reference Panel. Association analysis was done for hrHPV infection (125 cases/392 controls) and for persistent hrHPV infection (51 cases/355 controls) under additive genetic models adjusted for age, HIV status and the first principal component (PC) of the genotypes. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the study participants was 38 (±8) years, 48% were HIV negative, 24% were hrHPV positive and 10% had persistent hrHPV infections. No single variant reached genome-wide significance (p < 5 X 10− 8). The top three variants associated with hrHPV infections were intronic variants clustered in KLF12 (all OR: 7.06, p = 1.43 × 10− 6). The top variants associated with cervical hrHPV persistence were in DAP (OR: 6.86, p = 7.15 × 10− 8), NR5A2 (OR: 3.65, p = 2.03 × 10− 7) and MIR365–2 (OR: 7.71, p = 2.63 × 10− 7) gene regions. Conclusions: This exploratory GWAS yielded suggestive candidate risk loci for cervical hrHPV infection and persistence. The identified loci have biological annotation and functional data supporting their role in hrHPV infection and persistence. Given our limited sample size, larger discovery and replication studies are warranted to further characterize the reported associations

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children &lt;18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p&lt;0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p&lt;0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p&lt;0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

X-ray studies, spectral characterization and thermal behaviour of a two-dimensional Zinc Phosphate templated by Tris (2-aminoethyl) amine [C6H21N4][Zn6(P04)3 (Hp04)3). H20

A two-dimensional (2D) layered zinc phosphate hydrate [C6H21N4] [Zn6 (P04)3(HP04)3]. H20, I, was synthesized by reacting Zn2+ ions with tris-(2-aminoethyl) amine phosphate [C6H21N4][P04].5H20. The compound was characterized by powder x-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive analysis by x-ray and infrared spectroscopy. The thermal behaviour of compound I was studied under flowing nitrogen and the structure determined by single crystal x-ray crystallography. Compound I crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2(No. 33), a = 18.785(2), b = 8.2783(7), c = 18. 747(2)&#506;, volume = 2915.4(4) Å3, z = 4. The structure consists of a network of Zn04, P04 and HP04 tetrahedra which are connected to form a layer with interlamelar region occupied by the protonated amine and water molecules. Keywords: Metal phosphates, open-framework solids, amine phosphates route, layered structureGlobal Journal or Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (4) 2008: pp. 389-39

Mixed-Ligand Complexes Of Nickel (II) With 2-Acetylpyridine Thiosemicarbazone And Some N/S Monodentate Ligands: Synthesis, Structural Characterization And Biological Activity

The preparation and spectral properties of five nickel (II) mixed-ligands complexes (Ni [2-Actsc.Y]CI2), derived from 2-acetylpyridinethiosermicarbazones and some nitrogen/sulphur monodentate ligands such as thiophene, ammonia, picoline, pyridine and aniline are described. The complexes have been characterized on the basis of 1H and 13C-NMR, IR and electronic spectra. These revealed the primary ligand to be a tridentate thiosemicarbazone that coordinate in a square planar conformation to nickel (II) via azomethine N, pyridyl N and thiolate S atoms and a monodentate donor molecuole. The antimicrobial activities of these mixed-ligands complexes were investigated. Nickel (II) mixed-ligands complexes derived from 2-acetylpyridinethiosemicarbazones and aniline or ammonia seem to be most efficient inhibitors among these tested compounds. Keywords: mixed-ligands complexes, square planar geometry, thiosemicarbazones, electronic spectra, biological activity.Global Journal or Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (4) 2008: pp. 411-41

Home Background Variables and Technical Vocational Training of Secondary School Students in Akwa Ibom State During Global Economic Meltdown

This study assessed the relationship between home background and students’ technical vocational training in secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State during global economic meltdown. The population for the study consisted of 2014 students from ten public secondary schools in Uyo metropolis. Five hundred students were randomly selected for the study. A reliability index of 0.86 was obtained using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Data were obtained using students vocational training questionnaire (SVCQ) and analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. We found that parents’ educational status and income correlated positively with students’ technical vocational training. Also, parental occupations had facilitatory influence on students’ technical vocational training. We suggest that school guidance/counselors be well vested with technical vocational guidance information through training and retraining in order to assist students make good career choices and escape poverty in the prevailing economic meltdown. Also, parents should refrain from imposing courses on their children and wards to ensure their diversification and stimulate the economy of the nation.Keywords: Home background, vocational training, parents’ education, occupation, income, global economic crisis

Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment and Nigerian Economic Performance (1970-2008)

This study on foreign Direct Investment determinants and the Nigeria’s economy covering 38 years, was empirically done, and was discovered that exchange rate is a very important determinant influencing FDI inflow, and FDI is a significant variable influencing the economy (GDP) The study recommends that adequate programme (fight against corruption), structures and incentives (Tax exemption and reduced barriers) should be put in place to encourage FDI inflow.Key words: Gross domestic product, Foreign Direct Investment Inflation rate, Interest rate Money supply

The influence of dwelling place and self efficacy on career decision-making

This study investigated the influence of dwelling place and self-efficacy on career decisionmaking. One hundred and seventy &#8211;five (175) participants were randomly selected from a population of remedial students in the University of Uyo. In this study dwelling place had two levels (rural vs urban) while self &#8211; efficacy also had two levels (high vs low). The design used was a 2 x 2 factorial design, while a 2- Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for unequal sample size using the harmonic mean was used to analyse the data obtained in this study. Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between rural and urban participants. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the participants who had high and low self- efficacy F(1,171)= 9.02, p&lt; 0.05. Results were discussed in context relating to theories and previous findings on career decision making. The findings of the present study, point to the need to educate the masses on the steps to make career decisions