Effect of Simulation- Game Cards on the Teaching and Learning of Simple Interest, Profit and Loss in Enugu State Junior Secondary Schools

This paper examines the effect of Simulation- Game Cards (SGC) on the teaching and learning of simple interest, profit and loss in Enugu state junior secondary schools. Two research questions were formulated and answered using the mean. Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) developed by the researchers was used to collect the relevant data for this study. The two hypotheses raised were tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at P < 0.05 level of significance. The results indicated that the researchers’ developed simulation-game cards improved students’ achievement in simple interest, profit and loss. Equally, female students benefited more than male students under the SGC. The researchers recommended among others that SGC should be adopted as one of the teaching method in mathematics for effective enhancement of simple interest, profit and loss instructions in junior secondary schools.KEY WORDS: Simulation, Game Cards, Simple Interest, Profit, and Los

Taxonomic Classification and Suitability Evaluation of Selected Soils of Gboko for Yam and Cassava Production.

This study evaluated soil fertility status of Gboko-South in Gboko Local Government Area and their suitability for cassava and yam production. Auger point investigations were carried out at 100 m intervals along traverses spaced at 100 m apart. Three soil units were identified on the field based on soil colour, structure, textures, surface characteristics and topography. The results showed that the soil units were deep (102 – 141 cm) and well drained except unit I that was poorly drained. The soils were coarse-textured and slightly to moderately acidic in reaction with pH values which ranges from 5.38 – 6.50. They had low organic matter contents ranging from 0.20 to 0.95 % and high base saturation which ranged from 76 to 86 %. The soils were classified as Typic Epiaqualfs/Epigleyic Stagnosols, Arenic Haplustalfs/Eutric Luvisols, and Eutric Haplustept/Eutric Haplic Luvisols. Soils of unit I (Pedon I and II), unit II (Pedon III and IV) and unit III (Pedon V and VI) were evaluated to be moderately suitable for cassava and yam production.Keywords: Soil, Taxonomic classification, Suitability evaluation, Land suitability assessment, Yam and Cassava

Educational aspirations in inner city schools

The research aimed to assess the nature and level of pupils’ educational aspirations and to elucidate the factors that influence these aspirations. A sample of five inner city comprehensive secondary schools were selected by their Local Authority because of poor pupil attendance, below average examination results and low rates of continuing in full-time education after the age of 16. Schools were all ethnically mixed and co-educational. Over 800 pupils aged 12-14 completed a questionnaire assessing pupils’ experience of home, school and their peers. A sub-sample of 48 pupils selected by teachers to reflect ethnicity and ability levels in individual schools also participated in detailed focus group interviews. There were no significant differences in aspirations by gender or year group, but differences between ethnic groups were marked. Black African, Asian Other and Pakistani groups had significantly higher educational aspirations than the White British group, who had the lowest aspirations. The results suggest the high aspirations of Black African, Asian Other and Pakistani pupils are mediated through strong academic self-concept, positive peer support, a commitment to schooling and high educational aspirations in the home. They also suggest that low educational aspirations may have different mediating influences in different ethnic groups. The low aspirations of White British pupils seem to relate most strongly to poor academic self-concept and low educational aspirations in the home, while for Black Caribbean pupils disaffection, negative peers and low commitment to schooling appear more relevant. Interviews with pupils corroborated the above findings and further illuminated the factors students described as important in their educational aspirations. The results are discussed in relation to theories of aspiration which stress its nature as a cultural capacity

Body Temperature and Haematological Indices of Boars Exposed to Direct Solar Radiation

The effects of exposure to direct sun light on body temperature (BT) and blood profile (BP) of boars was studied using Large White and Large White x local F1 crossbred boars. The experiment involved three treatments: zero exposure (T1); 45 minutes (T2) and 60 minutes exposure (T3). Pigs were exposed between 13:30 and 14:45 hr daily for 4 weeks. Body temperature of control and exposed pigs was measured daily at the end of exposure. Blood samples were collected and analysed for LC, EC, HbC and PCV while MCV, MCH and MCHC were calculated from EC, HbC and PCV values. Ambient temperature (AT) averaged 27.84 oC indoors and 40.54 oC outdoors over the experimental period. There were significant genotype, treatment and interaction effects on most of the parameters studied. The LW boars were more severely affected by exposure to direct sunlight than the crossbred boars. It was concluded that wallow pits and shades should be provided for extensively managed pigs to enable them cope with the high thermal radiation and heat stress inherent in the tropics. Again, crossbreeding and selection for heat tolerance would ensure improved productivity in future. Key word: blood profile, body temperature, erythrocyte indices, Large White, local boar, thermoregulation

Hemichorea-hemiballismus in a patient with hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state

Hemichorea-hemiballismus (HCHB) is a rare manifestation of hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state caused by contralateral lesion in basal ganglia. A 74-year-old, known diabetic and hypertensive woman presented with one-week history of high-grade fever and loss of consciousness associated with involuntary movement of the right upper and lower limbs for 10 hours prior to presentation. Physical examination revealed pyrexia, tachycardia and altered sensorium. Blood glucose was 53.8 mmol/l, hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) 9.9% and brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed cerebral atrophy with bilateral basal ganglia hyperdensities. Escherichia coli was cultured from the urine. She did well on treatment with soluble insulin, rehydration and intravenous ceftriaxone. HCHB is a rare complication seen in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. This report highlights the reversibility of the disease with prompt diagnosis and appropriate insulin treatment. HCHB should be distinguished from other intracranial pathologies

Ogbu and the debate on educational achievement: an exploration of the links between education, migration, identity and belonging

This paper looks at some of the issues raised by Ogbu’s work in relation to the education of different minority ethnic groups. Ogbu poses questions such as the value attached to education, its links to the future and its measurable outcomes in terms of ‘success’ as experienced by black participants. The desire for better life chances leads families to consider migration to a new country or resettlement within the same country, thus making migration both a local and a global phenomenon. As an example, attention is drawn to the situation facing South Asian children and their families in the UK. In terms of ethnicity and belonging, the wider question that is significant for many countries in the West after ‘Nine-Eleven’ is the education of Muslim children. A consideration of this current situation throws Ogbu’s identification of ‘autonomous minority’ into question. It is argued that a greater understanding of diverse needs has to be accompanied by a concerted effort to confront racism and intolerance in schools and in society, thus enabling all communities to make a useful contribution and to avoid the ‘risk’ of failure and disenchantment

Epizootiology of Infectious Diseases of Dog in Some States in Nigeria (2015–2018)

An epizootiology of infectious diseases/conditions of dog in some veterinary clinics from Benue, Plateau states and the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria were assessed from 2015 to 2018. This study revealed about seventeen (17) infectious clinical cases/conditions from 1865 cases recorded within the period of four (4) years. These comprised of helminthoses (17.8%) having the highest prevalence followed by babesiosis (17.5%), parvovirosis (15.9%), ectoparasitism (11.3%), scepticemia (6.9%), Mange (5.7%), urinary tract infections (4.7%), canine distemper (4.2%), colitis (3.9%), myiasis (2.7%), trypanosomosis (2.1%), leptospirosis and transmissible venereal tumor (1.9%), respiratory infections (1.7%), otitis (1.0%) and orchitis (0.7%). Puppies (0–6 months old) 50.2% were mostly affected. Incidences of diseases were more in Alsatians (23.7%), Cross (22.9%), Nigerian indigenous breed (20.5%), Caucasian (9.6%) and Rottweiler (8.9%). More cases of vaccinated (68.7%) were recorded against the unvaccinated (31.3%) dogs while male (57.1%) dogs had a higher frequency of cases as compared with their female (42.9%) counterpart. Disease incidence was highest in dry season (54.3%) especially in the months of December (13.3%), January (11.1%) and February (10.6%).The highest frequency of disease incidence was recorded in 2015 (36.4%). Most the infectious clinical cases/conditions recorded from this study were preventable cases demanding veterinary care in order to prevent the risk of zoonosis

On logistic regression versus support vectors machine using vaccination dataset

The performance of two classification techniques, logistic regression and Support Vector Machines (SVMs), in assessing vaccination data is investigated in this study. The model was trained based on leave-out-one cross validation to obtain an accurate result. Simulated with ten thousand replications, a life data set was used to establish a better model. The findings from the simulation revealed that the logistic regression model slightly outperformed the SVM while the life data shows that the tuned SVM outperformed both the logistic and the SVM. This demonstrates the practical utility of advanced approaches such as SVMs in difficult categorization scenarios such as vaccination prediction. The study emphasizes the superiority of the customized SVM model in this setting, as well as the potential of machine learning approaches to increase comprehension of complicated healthcare scenarios and guide data-driven decision-making for influencing vaccination plans and public health. The study recommends the use of logistic regression if the data point is high

CANDIDIA AND HIV CO-INFECTIONS AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING HIV CLINIC AT GENERAL HOSPITAL EZZANGBO, NIGERIA

Candidiasis has been identified as a ubiquitous fungal infection commonly affecting people living with HIV/AIDS. This research ascertained the prevalence and risk factors forral and vaginal candidiasis among 180 HIV out-patients at Ebonyi State General Hospital, Ezzangbo. Oral and vaginal swabs were aseptically collected from the participants in duplicate. One of the swabs was streaked on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar (SDA) and isolates were identified using macroscopic characteristics while the second swab was used for microscopic examination. Structured questionnaires were administered to participants to obtain risk factors associated with the infections. The antifungal susceptibility testing of the Candida isolates was performed using disc diffusion method. Data obtained was statistically analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS). Results obtained from the study indicated 120(66.7%) were positive for Candidiasis; 31.7% was positive for only vaginal Candidiasis, 22.2% were positive for only oral Candidiasis while 12.8% had both. Candida albicans (CA) was dominant with 71% while none albicans Candida (NAC) was 29%. Isolates were most sensitive to Itraconazole and Griseofluvin and less sensitive to Ketoconazole, Nystatin and Fluconazole. The results of this study underlined essentials of good hygiene practices and importance of regularly assessing HIV patients for candidiasis

Can Racial Identity Be Promotive of Academic Efficacy?

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/89953/1/oyserman__harrison__bybee__2001.pd