Motivation of Teachers as It Affects Teaching of Mathematics in Government Secondary Schools in Federal Capital Territory Abuja

Towards achieving scientific and technological advancement, we need nothing but good performance in mathematics at all levels of education. The negative performance of students towards an educational aims and objectives could be associated to the low motivation of teachers most especially in the area of mathematics. In order to achieve this, this study investigates motivation of teachers as it affects teaching of mathematics in government secondary schools in F.C.T Abuja. This study adopted both descriptive research design, the research design in this study used an ex post factor research design. The study population comprised of mathematics teachers in government schools in F.C.T Abuja. The study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 100 mathematics teachers who were selected by the use of simple random sampling while the selected schools were chosen through purposive sampling. The study results revealed that majority of the teachers (68.0%) under study are not satisfied with their condition of service. Three quarter of teachers (81.0%) under study are not satisfied with the incentives attached to their salaries while majority of the respondents (65.0%) are frown at irregular promotion of teachers. It was observed that the condition of service of teachers, teachers’ incentives, and teachers’ promotion of in-service training have a great effect on the students’ performance in mathematics. Keywords: Motivation; Teachers; Teaching; Mathematics

Barriers, control and identity in health information seeking among African American women

Qualitative research methods were used to examine the role of racial, cultural, and socio-economic group (i.e., communal) identities on perceptions of barriers and control related to traditional and internet resources for seeking health information. Eighteen lower income, African American women participated in training workshops on using the internet for health, followed by two focus groups. Transcripts were analyzed using standardized coding methods. Results demonstrated that participants perceived the internet as a tool for seeking health information, which they believed would empower them within formal healthcare settings. Participants invoked racial, cultural, and socio-economic identities when discussing barriers to seeking health information within healthcare systems and the internet. The findings indicate that the internet may be a valuable tool for accessing health information among lower income African American women if barriers are reduced. Recommendations are made that may assist health providers in improving health information seeking outcomes of African American women

REVIEW OF ACADEMIC LIBRARY INFORMATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES: EVIDENCE FROM OSUN STATE UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA

Generally, the library is referred to as the knowledge hub of higher education institutions, saddled with the responsibility of supporting the teaching, research, and community engagement function in the university. These libraries are conceived to enable them genuinely handle the information needs of library clientele. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the human traffic to the physical library shrinks which brings more responsibility to the library personnel who works from home to make the library resources available to users at their various locations. The emerging responsibility motivated this study which investigated the appraisal of academic library information resources and human resources in Sola Akinrinade Central Library of Osun State University in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. A sample of three hundred and forty-five respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Two hundred and seventy-five copies were returned. Findings from the study revealed that available information resources and human resources in the academic library do not meet the accredited academic library standards. Similarly, the academic library is not sufficiently and adequately funded which has grossly affected the provision of the available information and human resources. The researchers recommend that recruitment of professional librarians and other library support staff; provision of quantity and quality information resources, and integration of academic library in the plan of higher institutions among other measures would improve the relevance of library and human resources in higher institutions of learning

Effect of an Intelligent Communications System in Enhancing the Power Infrastructure in Developing Countries

Since reliable electric power is key to economic development, education and medical care.  Humanity finds itself confronting an enormous energy Challenge which shows that current patterns of energy use are environmentally unsustainable. Overwhelming reliance on fossil fuels, in particular, threatens to alter the Earth’s climate to an extent that could have grave consequences on the integrity of vital human and natural systems. At the same time, access to energy continues to divide the ‘haves’ from the ‘have-nots’, as a greater part of the world especially Africa still lacks access to one or several types of basic energy services, including electricity, clean cooking fuels and adequate means of transportation. It is necessary to improve the operation of distribution systems and hence the quality of power supply, which can be achieved by use of the intervention of information technology (IT) utilizing the available high speed computers and communication networks. This resulted into reduced technical loss,  support  for  commercial  loss reduction, improved cash flow, low service restoration time, reduction in equipment damage, availability of system information,  better operational  planning,  remote load control and shedding, and improved power quality and reliability. Keywords: grid, reliable, power, costing, Alternatives, billing

Pharmacotherapy of Smoking Cessation

Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable diseases in the United States. Smoking accounts for more than 400,000 deaths yearly and 30% of all cancer deaths. Primary care physicians have access to 70% of smokers, approximately 60% of whom are perceived to be in excellent health. Recent advances in the pharmacotherapy of nicotine addiction, including nicotine nasal spray, nicotine inhaler, bupropion hydrochloride, and over-the-counter transdermal nicotine patches, have increased the treatment options physicians can offer to smokers. Physicians, especially thosein primary care specialties, should familiarize themselves with these products to improve efforts to help their patients stop smoking. This article reviews scientific data on the efficacy of approved medications, benefits, adverse effects, and appropriate use of these products. We also discuss nicotine addiction and treatment for special populations, including women, ethnic minorities, light smokers, and patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases

Urbanization Processes: Environmental and Health Effects in Ibadan Metropolis

This study examined impact of environmental health in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained through questionnaire administered on residents in selected core areas of the metropolis. Systematic random sampling was used in selecting the respondents. Findings revealed that the proportion of households occupying one room was 48.1% while only 33.4% have in-house water connection. Significant proportion of the ten top diseases reported in the city is communicable and infectious diseases. The first four of these diseases (diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia and tuberculosis) are those that have been linked directly with contaminated water, poor sewage and solid wastes disposal as well as poor housing conditions. Furthermore, the situations of ill-health in Ibadan have implicated urbanization as a dominant factor. The study therefore concluded that the environmental health problems in Ibadan are largely explained by ineffective urban planning and management functions. Keywords: Urbanization, Health, Environment, Planning

Improving mechanical properties of aluminium alloy through addition of coconut shell-ash

This paper investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy (Al-Si-Fe) reinforced with coconut shell-ash particulate. The aluminium (Al-Si-Fe) alloy composite was produced by a double-stir casting process at a speed of 700 rpm for 10 and 5 minutes at first and second stirring respectively. The samples produced from addition of 0-15 wt% coconut shellash particles (CSAp) were prepared and subjected to microstructural and mechanical properties testing. The results of the microstructural analysis of the composite reveal a fairly uniform distribution of the coconut shell-ash particles in the matrix with increase in volume fraction of CSAp. The mechanical property test results revealed that, hardness of the developed composite increased with increasing percentage weight of CSAp. Also the tensile and yield strength at 0.2% offset values of Al-Si-Fe/CSAp composite increased with percentage increase in CSAp up to 9% addition above which a little decrease in both tensile and yield strength was observed.Keywords: Matrix, coconut shell, mechanical properties, stir- casting, particulate, reinforcement

Preventing occupational ailments and disorders associated with cassava mash dewatering techniques

Open Access JournalMethods in use to reduce the cyanide level in cassava were found to be dangerous to the processors. To reduce occupational hazards, cassava processors sometimes wear protective coverings such as hand gloves, overall, mouth/nose hood, eye goggles which are not comfortable. Each of the steps in cassava processing stages exposes workers to various occupationally related ailments and disorders of ergonomic origin. The operators of dewatering tools are at the risks of suffering from different ailments.The traditional processors still depend on the old technique and resources. Workers are often exposed to cyanide and many are scared of the toxic effect of cassava juice. To prevent the occupational related ailment, mash process handling machine was developed and evaluated. The obtained result by use of the machine confirms the operators’ protection. The obtained mash cake was found to meet the stake holders’ requirement of 47-50% moisture content wet bases without human contact