Constraints Militating Against the Implementation of Production/Service Work In Technical Colleges in North Central Nigeria

Skill acquisition is a critical component of any vocational technical training program. When this component is missing or falls below expectation, it tends to defeat the objectives of the program. In Nigeria, many skill-oriented schools experience great challenges in trying to provide for the necessary facilities required for effective technical training of those enrolled in its program because of paucity of funds. The result often times, is that students are likely to graduate from the programs without adequate employability skills for meaningful productive/service work after leaving school. In realization of this predicament, the Federal Government of Nigeria directed all technological institutions to establish what is called Production/Service Work (PSW) into its curriculum. This is done in the event that there is shortfall in the supply of training facilities to school workshops by proprietors, schools can receive jobs from within or outside the school  which would provide them the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience that would  equip them with requisite skills for post- graduation work. As laudable as this innovation appears to be many schools in the North Central Nigeria are yet to implement the innovation in their schools and even where  they have, they are not viable and do not seem to meet the objectives set out for them. The present study, therefore, sought to unravel the challenges (external and internal) constraining the effective implementation of PSW in technical colleges. When this is done, it might provide a framework for deliberate action towards ameliorating the challenges that are faced by the schools. Keywords: External constraints, internal constraints, trade, production/service work, skill

In vivo evaluation of antiplasmodial activity of hydroethanolic stem extract of Baphia pubescens in Plasmodium berghei infected albino mice

Introduction: Malaria is a global concern especially with the emergence of multidrug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The need exist for newer and effective antimalarial agents. Hydroethanolic stem extract of Baphia pubescens has been used for the treatment of malaria in traditional medical settings. This study explores the antimalarial potential of this extract. Methods: The lethal dose of hydroethanolic stem extracts of B. pubescens was determined. Phytochemical screening of the extract was done using standard methods. Experimental animals received graded doses of the extract once daily for 3 days. In vivo antiplasmodial activity was assessed by the Rane’s curative test, using P. berghei infected mice. Results: The extract demonstrated a dose-dependent curative activity at the tested doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg). Complete (100%) parasite clearance was achieved (on day 4 post-treatment) at 400 mg/kg dose, which is greater than the standard drug used (artemether-lumefantrine). The extract is considered safe since the lethal dose was higher than 5000 mg/kg. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that hydroethanolic extracts of B. pubescens has promising antimalarial activity. This supports the local use of B. pubescens as an anti-malarial agent. Further studies need to be done to identify and characterize the active principles/substances in the extract

Information and Communication Technology Roles in Agricultural Value Chain Promotion Among Peri-Urban Women Farmers in Imo State, Nigeria

Farmers do not make/maximize profits when they stop at the production level only. To make more profits, they need to add value to their products. This paper examines the roles of ICTs in promoting agricultural value chain among women farmers who reside in the urban fringes of Imo State. The specific objectives were to identify value chain information needs of women farmers; ascertain ICT devices used by the women farmers and determine perceived roles of ICTs in promoting agricultural value chain. A total of 250 women farmers were randomly selected and interviewed using questionnaire complimented with oral discussion. Date collected were analyzed using descriptive tools such as percentages, mean and standard deviation. Results showed that respondents need agricultural value chain information on production and storage as shown by 98% response, marketing/business development (100%), financial services (98.8%), processing/packaging (88%), transportation/trading/distribution (93.6%). The following information devices/sources played vital roles –radio (84%), mobile phones (100%), television (62%), newspaper/magazines (55.4%), extension agents (49.6%) among others. On the roles of information sources/devices in value chain promotion, ICT device/sources provide information on time of planting, availability of seeds/input, reducing time of business transactions, financial services provision and market prices among roles

Empirical Study on the Effect of Corporate Eco-Efficiency on the Profitability of Nigerian Breweries Plc

The study is carried out to empirically examine the effect of corporate eco-efficiency on the profitability of Nigerian Breweries plc. An ex –post facto research design approach was adopted for the study. The population of this study comprises of all the firms in brewery industry in Nigeria. Using a panel data for the period of ten (10) years 2008 to 2017, Nigerian Breweries plc was chosen as sample based on the firms’ position as a pioneer, largest brewing company and key player in the industry. Secondary data were obtained from the annual /sustainability reports of the company from 2008 to 2017 financial year. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested in the course of this study. Regression analysis by aid of SPSS v.21 was used to test for statistical effect of the corporate eco-efficiency on the profitability. The results showed that there is positive significant effect of energy efficiency on the profitability of Nigerian Breweries plc.This study further revealed that there is a statistical positive and significant effect of the water utilization (WU) efficiency on the profitability of Nigerian Breweries plc. Finally, the result also established that there is a statistical positive and significant relationship between the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission management and the profitability of Nigerian Breweries plc. Consequent upon the findings, this study recommends among others; that the managers of Brewers should improve in the management of the combined energy usage by the installation of economizers in boiler chimneys and other modern gas-enabled burners.They should also embark on local or national imp-active water balancing Program and construction of wastewater treatment plant in its various branches across Nigeria. The management of Brewers should consider using less fossil fuel for energy and steam generation as well as increased application of solar-powered street lighting to reduce CO2 emission. Keywords: Eco-efficiency, Sustainability reporting, profitability, Nigerian Breweries plc DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-20-01 Publication date:July 31st 201

Changes in the arabinoxylan fraction of wheat grain during 1 alcohol production

Laboratory produced DDGS samples were compared with commercial samples from a distillery and a biofuel plant. Changes in structure, solubility and content of arabinoxylan (AX) was determined. The distillation process results in a relative increase of AX content compared to the starting material. The heating and drying processes involved in the production of DDGS lead to an increased solubility and viscosity of water-extractable AX. Production of DDGS results in structural changes to the AX. There is a decrease in 2-and 3-linked arabinose oligosaccharides, that contributes to around a 50% reduction in arabinosylation in DDGS compared with the starting grains. The current study shows that laboratory-scale DDGS provide an accurate representation of the commercial scale and that the AX composition of DDGS is consistently uniform irrespective of starting material. The uniformity of DDGS and thin stillage makes them a good potential source of AX for production of prebiotics or other novel products

Common genetic variation drives molecular heterogeneity in human iPSCs.

Technology utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) has enormous potential to provide improved cellular models of human disease. However, variable genetic and phenotypic characterization of many existing iPS cell lines limits their potential use for research and therapy. Here we describe the systematic generation, genotyping and phenotyping of 711 iPS cell lines derived from 301 healthy individuals by the Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Initiative. Our study outlines the major sources of genetic and phenotypic variation in iPS cells and establishes their suitability as models of complex human traits and cancer. Through genome-wide profiling we find that 5-46% of the variation in different iPS cell phenotypes, including differentiation capacity and cellular morphology, arises from differences between individuals. Additionally, we assess the phenotypic consequences of genomic copy-number alterations that are repeatedly observed in iPS cells. In addition, we present a comprehensive map of common regulatory variants affecting the transcriptome of human pluripotent cells

Bird populations most exposed to climate change are less sensitive to climatic variation

The phenology of many species shows strong sensitivity to climate change; however, with few large scale intra-specific studies it is unclear how such sensitivity varies over a species' range. We document large intra-specific variation in phenological sensitivity to temperature using laying date information from 67 populations of two co-familial European songbirds, the great tit (Parus major) and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), covering a large part of their breeding range. Populations inhabiting deciduous habitats showed stronger phenological sensitivity than those in evergreen and mixed habitats. However, populations with higher sensitivity tended to have experienced less rapid change in climate over the past decades, such that populations with high phenological sensitivity will not necessarily exhibit the strongest phenological advancement. Our results show that to effectively assess the impact of climate change on phenology across a species' range it will be necessary to account for intra-specific variation in phenological sensitivity, climate change exposure, and the ecological characteristics of a population. Intra-specific variations may contribute to heterogeneous responses to climate change across a species' range. Here, the authors investigate the phenology of two bird species across their breeding ranges, and find that their sensitivity to temperature is uncoupled from exposure to climate change.Peer reviewe

Temperature synchronizes temporal variation in laying dates across European hole-nesting passerines

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Ecology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Ecological Society of America.Identifying the environmental drivers of variation in fitness-related traits is a central objective in ecology and evolutionary biology. Temporal fluctuations of these environmental drivers are often synchronized at large spatial scales. Yet, whether synchronous environmental conditions can generate spatial synchrony in fitness-related trait values (i.e., correlated temporal trait fluctuations across populations) is poorly understood. Using data from long-term monitored populations of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus, n = 31), great tits (Parus major, n = 35), and pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca, n = 20) across Europe, we assessed the influence of two local climatic variables (mean temperature and mean precipitation in February–May) on spatial synchrony in three fitness-related traits: laying date, clutch size, and fledgling number. We found a high degree of spatial synchrony in laying date but a lower degree in clutch size and fledgling number for each species. Temperature strongly influenced spatial synchrony in laying date for resident blue tits and great tits but not for migratory pied flycatchers. This is a relevant finding in the context of environmental impacts on populations because spatial synchrony in fitness-related trait values among populations may influence fluctuations in vital rates or population abundances. If environmentally induced spatial synchrony in fitness-related traits increases the spatial synchrony in vital rates or population abundances, this will ultimately increase the risk of extinction for populations and species. Assessing how environmental conditions influence spatiotemporal variation in trait values improves our mechanistic understanding of environmental impacts on populations.Peer reviewe

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil ameliorates Bisphenol‐A‐induced adipokines dysfunctions and dyslipidemia

From Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2022-12-25, rev-recd 2023-01-07, accepted 2023-02-06, pub-electronic 2023-02-18Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedThis study demonstrated the therapeutic potentials of Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) capable of alleviating BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CMSO on adipokine dysfunctions and dyslipidemia in bisphenol‐A (BPA)‐induced male Wistar rats. Six‐week‐old 36 albino rats of 100–200 g weight were assigned randomly to six groups, which received varied doses of BPA and/or CMSO. The administration of BPA and CMSO was done at the same time for 42 days by oral intubation. The adipokine levels and lipid profile were measured in adipose tissue and plasma using standard methods. BPA induced significant (p < .05) increases in triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices in adipose tissue and plasma, as well as a decrease in adiponectin and HDL‐C levels in Group II animals. BPA administration significantly (p < .05) elevated Leptin levels and reduced adiponectin levels. BPA plus CMSO reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices while increasing adiponectin levels and HDL‐C in adipose tissue and plasma (p < .05). The results showed that BPA exposure increased adipose tissue as well as serum levels of the atherogenic index, triglycerides, cholesterol, coronary risk index, LDL‐C, leptin, and body weight with decreased adiponectin levels and HDL‐C. Treatment with CMSO reduced the toxicities caused by BPA in rats by modulating the body weight, adiponectin/leptin levels, and lipid profiles in serum and adipose tissue. This study has shown that CMSO ameliorates BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunctions. We suggest for further clinical trial to establish the clinical applications

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely