Self-concept and acceptance of lesbianism tendency among senior secondary school girls in ovwie local government area of delta state, nigeria.

This study stems from the observation that lesbianism is fast creeping into Girls’ secondary schools in Nigeria. Using the ex-post facto research design, the study examined the influence of self-concept (moral and academic) on the acceptance of lesbianism tendency among 218 senior secondary school girls in Ovwie Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, Nigeria with a population of 2,112 senior secondary school girls. The respondents were randomly selected. The three research hypotheses formulated to guide this study were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The instrument for data collection was the Self-concept and Acceptance of Lesbianism Tendency Questionnaire (SALTQ). The data were analyzed with the population and independent t-tests as the statistical tools. The results showed that the level of lesbianism tendency among senior secondary school girls in the study area was significantly high while a significant influence of moral and academic self-concepts on acceptance of lesbianism tendency was found to exist among the girls. Based on the findings, it was recommended that efforts should be made by the stakeholders of education to reduce the level of lesbianism among the senior secondary school girls by instituting programmes that sensitize them on the need to develop proper self-concept, the word of God and motivational talks can be appropriately used to encourage the development of moral concepts among the students, and self-concept enhancement programmes should be introduced in schools to enhance academic self-concept. &nbsp

Awareness and Utilization of e-Learning Resources by Trainee Counsellors of Counselling Education in Calabar, Nigeria

In Nigeria, electronic-learning (e-learning) resources have emerged as a modern tool for enhancing the quality of delivery and acquisition of education content. Yet, hardly has there been any meaningful research report on the application of this innovative and invaluable tool to counselling education service delivery efforts. This study, ‘awareness and utilization of e-learning resources by trainee Counsellors in counselling education in Calabar, Nigeria’ was designed to fill this literature gap. A structured questionnaire with reliability index of 0.83 titled “Awareness and Utilization of E-learning Questionnaire (AUEQ)” was used to collect data from a sample of 300 students and analyzed using t-test statistics. The results of the study indicate that while the awareness of e-learning resources by trainee Counsellors was generally high, their rating in terms of availability, currency, adequacy and quality of these resources within their schools was rather very low. The results also indicated that the extent of utilization of e-learning was also very insignificant. Furthermore, the outcomes of the study show inter-class, inter-school and inter-gender differences with regards to both awareness of availability and utilization of e-learning resources. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Universities and other higher education settings should be equipped with current, functional and adequate e-learning resources for enhanced service delivery. It was also recommended that both counsellor educators and trainees should be systematically trained in appropriate skills required for the use of e-learning facilities. It was further recommended that assurance of constant and adequate power supply should be improved upon to enhance the use of e-learning in our Universities

ACADEMIC WOMEN’S PERSPECTIVE ON STRATEGIES FOR INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN NIGERIA HIGHER EDUCATION GOVERNANCE

This paper provides data on women in academics’ perspective on approaches for enhancing female participation in university’s governance in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Subjects were 254 women in academics with varying years of teaching experience, from two universities in Calabar. A questionnaire (Academic women perspective on strategies of increasing female participation in university governance questionnaire) was used to gather data from respondents in order to provide answer to the only research question of the study. Subjects were required to outline strategies they considered effective and practicable, for increasing female participation in university governance. Actual numbers, frequencies and percentages were used to present the result. Results indicated that eleven out of the fifteen strategies had a rating of above 70% with strategies listed in items 5,6 and 10 adjudge by the respondents as most effective for increasing women’s capacities and abilities for active involvement in the management of higher education institutions. The study recommended among others that counsellors should focus the advocacy energy on promotion of gender equity by empowering and equipping academic women to take their rightful positions as managers in institutional governance of higher institutions

purpleSTARS: A creative intervention into AI's Algorithms through co-production of a live ‘AI, sense of self’ portrait

We propose an exploration into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), sensory art, and portraiture, with a focus on inclusive research and sensory art co-production. AI algorithms often lack the nuanced understanding of diverse human experiences, particularly those of marginalised communities. We aim to challenge and reshape these algorithms to be more inclusive by engaging with them, so AI becomes more reflective of diversity, and becomes less biased. We plan to co-create a series of experimental AI generated portraits that reflect on our sensory Sense of Self, highlighting our sense of touch, smell, taste which AI cannot (yet) reproduce as well as our senses of sound and sight. Objectives: 1. Empowerment Through Artistic Expression: Provide individuals with learning disabilities and differences with a platform for creative expression and agency through inclusive research and co-production. 2. Critique and Intervention: Encourage critical reflection on the biases and limitations of AI algorithms and explore how sensory art can intervene to address these issues. 3. Co-Production and Collaboration: Facilitate collaborative processes between individuals with lived experience of learning disabilities, and conference participants to feed AI algorithms with diverse, sensory experiences and personal narratives. 4. Knowledge Sharing and Community Building: Foster an inclusive dialogue among diverse people to share insights and best practices for inclusive AI design. The session: Conference participants will be invited to co-create ‘AI, sense of self’ portraits in groups with purpleSTARS. The space will be set up similar to a traditional life drawing room but with a 360 camera at the centre instead of a life model. Easels/stands will face into the camera with screens to display AI generated imagery. Traditional art and sensory materials, highlighting touch, smell and taste will also be available circling the camera. The portraits will be captured by the 360 camera where everyone and everything is included. We hope the session will foster collaborations for future inclusive research in AI design, with a focus on centring the voices and experiences of people with learning disabilities and differences, fostering more ethical, inclusive, and human-centred AI systems

Occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface microlayer and subsurface seawater of Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface microlayer (SML) and subsurface water (SSW) of Lagos Lagoon were investigated using gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) technique to ascertain their occurrence and spatial distribution, origin, enrichment, and carcinogenicity. Total PAH (ΣPAH) concentrations ranged from 9.10 to 16.20 μg L−1 in the SML and 8.90 to 13.30 μg L−1 in the SSW. ΣPAH concentrations were relatively higher in the SML than the underlying SSW samples. The enrichment factors (EFs) of ΣPAHs ranged from 0.76 to 1.74 while the EFs of the individual PAHs varied from 0.50 to 2.09. In general, the EFs values calculated in this study were consistent or slightly less than the EFs reported for similar coastal seawater ecosystems. A correlation between the EFs of fluoranthene and pyrene indicated a positive significant value (R = 0.9828, p < 0.0001, n = 6). Source analyses using the phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene ratios indicated the dominance of petrogenic-derived PAHs. Furthermore, enhanced concentrations of BaP (strong carcinogenicity) in SML and SSW samples, which resulted in higher EFs, could pose serious ecological and human health risk

Upper-air meteorological dataset for Uyo, using radiosonde.

Weather pattern anomalies and climate change have greatly impacted human activities and the environment in varying ways. Whether induced naturally or by anthropogenic activities, it remains a menace to global public health. A foreknowledge of the weather/climate change can help in mitigating the impact of disasters emanating from these changes. Upper-air meteorological data play an exceptionally large role in weather and climate prediction. However, there is a paucity of ground truth meteorological data in Nigeria and many parts of Africa. Consequently, the need to measure and archive these data. Internet of things and blockchain technologies are employed to build a system that captures and records meteorological data at up to 9,000 metres above sea level. Spanning between January 18, 2021 and July 26, 2021, in Uyo local government area, upper air pressure, temperature, dew point, time and the elevation at which they were captured, are the meteorological data presented in this data article. [Abstract copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Treatment of Schistosomiasis Haematobium with Praziquantel in Children : Its Effect on Educational Performance in Rural Nigeria

Schistosoma haematobium infection is highly endemic in Adim, a rural rice-farming community located within the rain forest of South-eastern Nigeria. With support from Rockefeller Foundation we initiated a treatment programme among the pupils of the only primary school in the community. All children in the school were screened yearly for infection using reagent strips and light microscopy. Infected children were treated with praziquantel (40 mg/kg body weight). To determine the effect of repeated treatment on the educational performance we followed up children (aged 8.0 - 8.9 years) who were in the same school grade through a three-year period. The prevalence of infection in the cohort measured at 12-monthly intervals with a session of treatment in between the screening were 69.1% at the beginning of the programme then 45.2% and 21.6% at the second and third yearly evaluation respectively. The school attendance rate in the cohort decreased from 86.7% at onset of treatment programme to 81.1% by the third yearly evaluation (p=0.24). Standardized, teacher-made educational tests were given to the pupils in between the treatment exercises. The pass rate among the cohort improved following the first treatment session from 81.4% to 90.7%, latter declined to 84.2% following the second treatment session but the net improvement in performance was statistically significant (x^2=7.20; p=0.027). The possibility of enhancement of educational performance as observed in this study should make regular, periodic treatment of children in communities with endemic schistosomiasis a more cost-effective and beneficial public health intervention strategy than was previously assumed

Diagnostic accuracy of a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: An international case-cohort study

We conducted an international study of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis among a large group of physicians and compared their diagnostic performance to a panel of IPF experts. A total of 1141 respiratory physicians and 34 IPF experts participated. Participants evaluated 60 cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD) without interdisciplinary consultation. Diagnostic agreement was measured using the weighted kappa coefficient (\u3baw). Prognostic discrimination between IPF and other ILDs was used to validate diagnostic accuracy for first-choice diagnoses of IPF and were compared using the Cindex. A total of 404 physicians completed the study. Agreement for IPF diagnosis was higher among expert physicians (\u3baw=0.65, IQR 0.53-0.72, p20 years of experience (C-index=0.72, IQR 0.0-0.73, p=0.229) and non-university hospital physicians with more than 20 years of experience, attending weekly MDT meetings (C-index=0.72, IQR 0.70-0.72, p=0.052), did not differ significantly (p=0.229 and p=0.052 respectively) from the expert panel (C-index=0.74 IQR 0.72-0.75). Experienced respiratory physicians at university-based institutions diagnose IPF with similar prognostic accuracy to IPF experts. Regular MDT meeting attendance improves the prognostic accuracy of experienced non-university practitioners to levels achieved by IPF experts

A public–private partnership to reduce tuberculosis burden in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) infection and spread are preventable, and TB disease is curable depending on individual and community knowledge of causes of the disease, mode of prevention and cure. An earlier educational intervention carried out in Akwa Ibom State (AKS) of Nigeria in 2006 created awareness of the disease and improved utilization of orthodox medical facilities of residents in 34 communities who had symptoms of TB. Objective: The overall aim of this program is to reduce the burden of TB disease in 18 communities of AKS through educational intervention, TB case detection and integration into the State National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), as well as build laboratory capacity to improve TB case detection and control. Methods: Prior to the educational intervention in each community, standard pretested questionnaires were administered to residents to test their knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning TB. Information about causes, symptoms and prevention of TB was disseminated in community town halls, churches, markets and schools. Individuals who were coughing for three weeks or more were investigated for TB following clinical examination by a physician. Three sputum samples (spot-morning-spot) were obtained from each individual and examined microscopically for the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) using the Ziehl–Neelson staining technique. Those with positive AFB results were integrated into the existing NTBLCP treatment facilities for immediate commencement of Directly-Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS). Treatment outcome was monitored by retesting patients' sputum after two, five and seven months. Two new laboratories were facilitated while existing laboratory capacity was built by providing higher resolution microscopes, power generating plants, refrigerators, locally-fabricated incinerators and furnishing of staff offices. The program was facilitated by a public–private partnership. Effective Health Care Alliance Research Programme (EHCARP-Nigeria), in collaboration with Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (NNPC/MPN) Joint Venture, utilized health personnel from the Akwa Ibom State NTBLCP who conducted laboratory testing and supervised the treatment. Results: The 916 responses to the questionnaires showed that 65.3% (549/841) correctly identified that TB is airborne, and 86% (749/871) were aware that TB could be cured by anti-TB medication. Responses to care-seeking attitudes were provided by 123 respondents. Of this number, fear of stigmatization was the reason for 31% (38) seeking care in unorthodox facilities, while 43.1% (53) did not believe that orthodox medicine could cure their symptoms. Of the 374 detected cases, 9 did not commence treatment. Hence, 365 were placed on DOTS; 36 defaulted, while 11 either died or failed to convert after the seventh month. At the end of month 8, cure was achieved for 87.1% (318). Conclusion: Although the previous intervention may have contributed to the good knowledge about TB and care-seeking attitudes displayed by respondents in the communities, sustaining active case finding through public–private partnership can go a long way to reduce TB burden, especially in rural communities where healthcare systems are generally weak or inadequate. Adequate funding of TB control activities is critical in eliminating TB as a public health problem, and the private sector participation such as this is a welcome development