Curtailing Academic Dishonesty Using Student Affairs Personnel:The Case of a Private Faith-Based Higher Institution, South-West Nigeria

This study explored the usefulness of Student Affairs Personnel in ensuring academic honesty in a private Faith-Based higher institution, South-West Nigeria, between 2011 and 2014. Using data from descriptive source, the study investigated categories of academic dishonesty and the number of students involved. Moreover, it examined gender composition of these students and disciplinary action given to them. Furthermore, it tried to find out measures which Student Affairs Personnel used to ensure academic integrity and their effectiveness. Relying on raw data retrieved from records, the study came up with nine categories of academic dishonesty that involved ninety-nine students, out of which male students represent the majority (61.6%) while their female counterparts represent the minority (38.4%). The result indicated ten measures which Student Affairs Personnel engage in curtailing academic dishonesty. Nevertheless students in the sample, based on questionnaires distributed, submitted that these Personnel were effective in nine out of ten measures. Finally, the study revealed expulsion as disciplinary action placed on culprits

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase as a sustainable and promising plant source of bioactive peptides for food applications

Background Plant proteins are well-known precursors of bioactive peptides. In translating the peptides into functional foods, the protein sources need to be sustainable and readily available. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) is the major enzyme in photosynthesis and photorespiration in plants and some other organisms, and is known to be the most abundant protein on earth. Therefore, RuBisCO is an attractive and sustainable source of bioactive peptides. Scope and approach This review discusses the structure, function, composition and technology for plant RuBisCO extraction, as well as the fractionation and known bioactivities of its enzymatic hydrolysate and peptides. Feasibility of industrial scale up and practical application of the RuBisCO peptides in food were also considered. Key findings and conclusions Several processes are available for extraction of the RuBisCO subunits and some are simple, fast and adaptable for industrial scale production. Work is however needed on recovery of high protein yields with high purity. Most studies reported that peptides, mostly from the large subunit, from enzymatic hydrolysis of spinach or alfalfa RuBisCO possess antihypertensive, opioid-like, secretagogue and food intake stimulating, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These properties demonstrate that RuBisCO can be utilized as a sustainable source of peptides with multiple bioactivities for formulation of functional foods

Improving the Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Composites for Structural and Biomedical Applications

Natural fiber composites are designed for different purposes including structural and non-structural ones. These natural fiber composites vary greatly in their properties including mechanical properties. Mechanical properties which include the tensile and flexural properties are highly dependent on factors such as matrix type, filler type, processing, post processing treatment and many more, factors which are quite application specific. However, many research works develop their natural fiber composite before considering the possible applications. This chapter intends to X-ray the factors that affect the mechanical properties as it relates to structural and biomedical applications and suggest ways of improving the mechanical properties

Fiber-Matrix Relationship for Composites Preparation

Fiber-matrix interaction at the interphase is one very important property that is of great concern to all polymer scientists involved in polymer composites. Many of the failures can be traced to the type of interfacial interaction existing in the composites. That is why highlighting the factors that dictate the type of and the extent of interactions at the interphases become very necessary. Natural fiber polymer composites have found application in many fields of human endeavors. To continue this growth being experienced, the factors that determine the formation of good interaction at the interphase most be understood, so that they can be manipulated for a better result

The anaerobic bacteriology of intrapulmonary infections in Kuwait

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the association of anaerobic bacteria in intrapulmonary infections and their susceptibility pattern to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Methods: One hundred clinical samples (85 broncho-alveolar lavage and 15 lung abscess aspirates) from suspected intrapulmonary infection cases were investigated in order to determine the role of anaerobic bacteria in these infections. The anaerobic bacterial isolates were identified by using the Vitek Anaerobic Card System and conventional methods. Susceptibility of these isolates was determined by Etest method against eight commonly prescribed antibiotics. Results: A total of 42 anaerobes were isolated, of which Prevotella spp. were the commonest isolates, made up of 42.9% (18/42), followed by Peptostreptococcus spp. 33.3% (14/42). Only two Bacteroides fragilis strains were isolated. All the isolates were sensitive to metronidazole, clindamycin, imipenem and meropenem; however, one Prevotella was resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam. The two B. fragilis isolates were susceptible to metronidazole, imipenem, meropenem and piperacillin-tazobactam, and one was found to be resistant to clindamycin. Conclusion: Overall, Prevotella spp. were found to be the predominant anaerobic bacteria associated with intrapulmonary infections in Kuwait. All the commonly prescribed antibiotics had excellent in vitro activities against nearly all the isolates

Effects of College Roommate Relationships on Student Development at a Private University, Southern Nigeria

This paper examined the effect of roommate relationships on students’ development in a selected university campus. It used questionnaire to collect data from 470 respondents in a faith based university, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria. The study engaged Spearman's correlation method to test hypotheses formulated for the study at 0.01 level of significance. The study found a correlation between roommate relationship and students’ academic performance and students’ spiritual life. The study equally found a correlation between roommate relationships and involvement of students in social vices. Moreover, the study discovered correlation between roommate relationships and students emotional stability. Lastly, the study found a correlation between roommate relationships and student resource management

The need for an integrated approach for chronic disease research and care in Africa

With the changing distribution of infectious diseases, and an increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases, low- and middle-income countries, including those in Africa, will need to expand their health care capacities to effectively respond to these epidemiological transitions. The interrelated risk factors for chronic infectious and non-communicable diseases and the need for long-term disease management, argue for combined strategies to understand their underlying causes and to design strategies for effective prevention and long-term care. Through multidisciplinary research and implementation partnerships, we advocate an integrated approach for research and healthcare for chronic diseases in Africa

Early Life Exposure to Aflatoxin B1 in Rats: Alterations in Lipids, Hormones, and DNA Methylation among the Offspring

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by molds of the Aspergillus species that contaminate food primarily in tropical countries. The most toxic aflatoxin, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in these countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, aflatoxin contamination is common, and perinatal AFB1 exposure has been linked to the early onset of HCC. Epigenetic programming, including changes to DNA methylation, is one mechanism by which early life exposures can lead to adult disease. This study aims to elucidate whether perinatal AFB1 exposure alters markers of offspring health including weight, lipid, and hormone profiles as well as epigenetic regulation that may later influence cancer risk. Pregnant rats were exposed to two doses of AFB1 (low 0.5 and high 5 mg/kg) before conception, throughout pregnancy, and while weaning and compared to an unexposed group. Offspring from each group were followed to 3 weeks or 3 months of age, and their blood and liver samples were collected. Body weights and lipids were assessed at 3 weeks and 3 months while reproductive, gonadotropic, and thyroid hormones were assessed at 3 months. Prenatal AFB1 (high dose) exposure resulted in significant 16.3%, 31.6%, and 7.5% decreases in weight of the offspring at birth, 3 weeks, and 3 months, respectively. Both doses of exposure altered lipid and hormone profiles. Pyrosequencing was used to quantify percent DNA methylation at tumor suppressor gene Tp53 and growth-regulator H19 in DNA from liver and blood. Results were compared between the control and AFB1 exposure groups in 3-week liver samples and 3-week and 3-month blood samples. Relative to controls, Tp53 DNA methylation in both low- and high-dose exposed rats was significantly decreased in liver samples and increased in the blood (p < 0.05 in linear mixed models). H19 methylation was higher in the liver from low- and high-exposed rats and decreased in 3-month blood samples from the high exposure group (p < 0.05). Further research is warranted to determine whether such hormone, lipid, and epigenetic alterations from AFB1 exposure early in life play a role in the development of early-onset HCC