UNDERGRADUATES’ ONLINE DATING: PREDICTIVE INFLUENCE OF AGE, GENDER, MOTIVATION AND COMPUTER EFFICACY

This study examines age, gender, motivation, and computer efficacy as factors predicting online dating among higher institution students in Oyo State.The study adopted a descriptive survey. The sample consisted of 166 undergraduates of the University of Ibadan. Three scales were used to collect information. Three research questions were raised and answered in the study. Data collected were analysed using multiple regression statistics for data analysis.Results indicated that there is a positive relationship between age and dependent variable (i.e. online dating) (r = 0.307); motivation (r = 0.242) and computer efficacy (r = 0.309). However, gender has no significant relationship with online dating. Research question two indicated that the R2 value is 0.204 while the adjusted R2  is 0.184. This translated into 18.4% of the total variance. This implies that the influence of the independent factors on online dating were not due to chance factor. The F value ratio of 10.292 further corroborated this. This showed that there is significant combined effect of age, gender, motivation and computer efficacy on online dating among the participants. The research question three explained the relative influence of age, gender, motivation and computer efficacy on online dating among the participants. Age (Beta = .282; t = 3.982) is the most potent contributor to online dating. This is followed by computer efficacy (Beta = .248; t = 3.267) and motivation (Beta = .181; t = 2.450). The least factor is gender (Beta = .077; t = 1.040).The findings from this study showed that online dating is real and has come to stay. Computer efficacy, motivation, age and gender are central to the dating activities of the university undergraduates, hence counselling psychologists must brace up to the challenges this new behaviour poses to stable and lasting relationship.

Undergraduates’ Online Dating: Predictive Influence of Age, Gender, Motivation and Computer Efficacy

This study examines age, gender, motivation, and computer efficacy as factors predicting online dating among higher institution students in Oyo State.The study adopted a descriptive survey. The sample consisted of 166 undergraduates of the University of Ibadan. Three scales were used to collect information. Three research questions were raised and answered in the study. Data collected were analysed using multiple regression statistics for data analysis.Results indicated that there is a positive relationship between age and dependent variable (i.e. online dating) (r = 0.307); motivation (r = 0.242) and computer efficacy (r = 0.309). However, gender has no significant relationship with online dating. Research question two indicated that the R2 value is 0.204 while the adjusted R2 is 0.184. This translated into 18.4% of the total variance. This implies that the influence of the independent factors on online dating were not due to chance factor. The F value ratio of 10.292 further corroborated this. This showed that there is significant combined effect of age, gender, motivation and computer efficacy on online dating among the participants. The research question three explained the relative influence of age, gender, motivation and computer efficacy on online dating among the participants. Age (Beta = .282; t = 3.982) is the most potent contributor to online dating. This is followed by computer efficacy (Beta = .248; t = 3.267) and motivation (Beta = .181; t = 2.450). The least factor is gender (Beta = .077; t = 1.040).The findings from this study showed that online dating is real and has come to stay. Computer efficacy, motivation, age and gender are central to the dating activities of the university undergraduates, hence counselling psychologists must brace up to the challenges this new behaviour poses to stable and lasting relationship. Keywords: Age, Computer Efficacy, Gender, Motivation, Online Datin

Eosinophilic dysplasia of the gallbladder: a hitherto undescribed variant identified in association with a "porcelain" gallbladder

Non-mass forming, neoplastic intraepithelial proliferations (dysplasia) represent the most well-accepted precursor lesions to gallbladder adenocarcinomas. They are typically small, localized, grossly unrecognizable lesions that have been identified in the epithelium adjacent to up to 79% of gallbladder adenocarcinomas. Morphologic variants that have been reported include flat, micropapillary, papillary and cribriform. We have recently encountered a morphologically distinctive, previously unreported lesion to which we have applied the designation eosinophilic dysplasia. This lesion was identified in a gallbladder with diffuse mural fibrosis and calcification (porcelain gallbladder). The dysplastic focus was confined to one tissue section, and was comprised of a localized true papilla [i.e with a fibrovascular core], measuring approximately 1.2 mm in greatest dimension and an adjacent, flat, 7-cell epithelial segment. These foci were lined by cells displaying significant nuclear enlargement [1.5–4 times the adjacent benign cells], nuclear pleomorphism, occasional multinucleation, hyperchromasia and nuclear membrane irregularities. Nucleoli were present but inconspicuous. These cells also showed voluminous eosinophilic to granular cytoplasm, such that the overall nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio was generally not increased. The cells displayed diffuse and marked nuclear immunoreactivity for p53, and approximately 70% of the cells showed nuclear positivity for Ki-67. The cells were also positive for cytokeratin 7 and were entirely negative for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and chromogranin A. The cells of the adjacent normal epithelium were positive for cytokeratin 7 and CEA, negative for p53 and chromogranin A and showed a Ki-67 labeling index of <10%. Marked overexpression of the p53 protein as well as its high proliferative index are strong arguments in favor of the dysplastic nature of this lesion. However, further studies are required to elucidate its true clinical significance and to determine whether or not its association with a porcelain gallbladder, as noted herein, is entirely fortuitous. However, such studies can only be performed with an increased recognition by practitioners of this distinctive variant

Microstructure and Mechanical Characterization of Austempered AISI 1018 Steel

AISI 1018 mild steels are widely used for engineering applications in machine components and for structural purposes. These materials suffer mechanical damages especially when used under critical conditions of extreme load. In this study, the effect of austempering heat-treatment on the hardness, tensile strength, impact energy and the microstructure of AISI 1018 steels were evaluated. The steel specimens were subjected to austempering heat-treatment by austenitizing at a temperature of 830°C, maintained at this temperature for a period of 1 hour 30 minutes, before rapidly cooled down in a NaNO3 salt bath maintained at 300°C for isothermal transformation for a further 50 minutes before finally cooled down to room temperature. Microstructural analysis using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) shows transformation from ferrite/pearlite to bainite microstructure. The tensile strengths of the specimen increased from 400 MPa to 500 Mpa; hardness increased from an average value of 140Rc to 162Rc; while impact energy increased from 15.6 Joule to 30.6 Joule by the austempering heat-treatment. Keywords—Austempering, hardness, tensile strength, impact energy, microstructur

Effects of maternal mortality on gross domestic product (GDP) in the WHO African region

WHO African region has got the highest maternal mortality rate compared to the other five regions. Maternal mortality is hypothesized to have significantly negative effect on the gross domestic product (GDP). The objective of the current study was to estimate the loss in GDP attributable to maternal mortality in the WHO African Region. The burden of maternal mortality on GDP was estimated using a doublelog econometric model. The analysis is based on cross-sectional data for 45 of the 46 Member States in the WHO African Region. Data were obtained from UNDP and the World Bank publications. All the explanatory variables included in the doublelog model were found to have statistically significant effect on per capita gross domestic product (GDP) at 5% level in a t-distribution test. The coefficients for land (D), capital (K), educational enrolment (EN) and exports (X) had a positive sign; while labor (L), imports (M) and maternal mortality rate (MMR) were found to impact negatively on GDP. Maternal mortality of a single person was found to reduce per capita GDP by US$ 0.36 per year. The study has demonstrated that maternal mortality has a statistically significant negative effect on GDP. Thus, as policy-makers strive to increase GDP through land reform programs, capital investments, export promotion and increase in educational enrolment, they should always remember that investments in maternal mortalityreducing interventions promises significant economic returns. African Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 13 (1-2) 2008: pp. 86-9

Modelling the spread of HIV/AIDS epidemic in the presence of irresponsible infectives

In this study, a non-linear mathematical model was proposed and analyzed to study the effect of irresponsible infectives in the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a variable size population. The population was divided into four subclasses, of susceptibles (HIV negatives who can contract the disease), irresponsible infectives (people who are infected with the virus but do not know or live irresponsible life styles) , responsible infectives (HIV positives who know they are infected and are careful) and full-blown AIDS patients. Susceptibles were assumed to be infected through sexual contact with infectives and all infectives develop AIDS at a constant rate. Stability analysis and numerical simulations of the resulting model are presented. The model analysis shows that the disease-free equilibrium is always locally asymptotically stable and in such a case the basic reproductive number R0&lt;1 and the endemic equilibrium does not exist. The disease is thus eliminated from the system. If R0&gt;1, the endemic equilibrium exists and the disease remains in the system. It is shown that the endemicity of the disease is reduced when irresponsible infectives become responsible.Keywords: Vertical transmission, stability, simulation, irresponsible infective

The Legal Status of Charter Schools in State Statutory Law

Given the recent increase in charter schools as an alternative to the traditional public education system, this Article explores the legal status and position of charter schools. Charter schools exhibit many characteristics of private schools, particularly in terms of management, but also retain many public school features. Thus, this Article explores areas of the law where charter schools were either classified as public or private in terms of state statutes or regulations, discussing recent and some pending litigation. First, this Article discusses whether charter schools, charter school boards and officials, or educational management organizations which manage charter schools are entitled to governmental immunity, thus classifying them as public entities. Second, this Article examines the interplay between charter schools, their boards, and their management organizations and whether they are subject to public accountability laws, as their public school counterparts are. Third, this Article surveys whether charter schools are subject to state prevailing wage statutes. Fourth, this Article examines whether charter schools are required to follow the same student expulsion requirements as public schools. This Article proceeds to tally the results of this litigation, discussing both whether charter schools are subject to the same laws and regulations as public schools in their districts and whether charter schools and their officials are public entities under the law, and thus subject to the same rules governing the action of public officials. This Article concludes that often times, this distinction is not clear in state statutory requirements as they currently stand, and that legislators should take care in drafting charter school legislation, so that charter schools have a clear set of rules to follow and courts have a clear set of rules to apply in litigation. The status quo is particularly troubling with regard to student disciplinary issues and educational management organizations’ fiduciary obligations, and this Article urges legislators to address these issues

Knowledge, Attitude and Willingness to Participate in Gamete Donation for Artificial Insemination among Undergraduate Students in Lagos

Background: Infertility affects one-fifth to one-sixth of couples of reproductive age. Gamete donation is one option for managing infertility, but it is relatively unknown in the developing world. Objectives: To assess Nigerian undergraduate students' knowledge, attitude and willingness to participate in gamete donation for artificial insemination. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 undergraduate students using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. The respondents were recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.5±3.2 years, with a range of 18-32 years. The majority (89.4%) of the respondents were single and were in the first year of study (56.3%). Almost all the respondents (96.3%) had heard about the practice of gamete donation, but only (38.7%) had overall good knowledge about it. Almost half (46.9%) of respondents had an overall positive attitude towards gamete donation, while only 37.5% were willing to participate. The class level of the respondents (p = 0.03) was significantly associated with poor knowledge of gamete donation, while age (p = 0.01) and gender (p &lt; 0.001) were associated with a negative attitude. Age (p&lt;0.001) was also significantly associated with poor willingness to participate. Conclusion: The respondents' awareness of gamete donation was high, but their knowledge was poor, leading to a negative attitude and poor willingness to participate. Public enlightenment on gamete donation for artificial insemination should be intensified