Strike Actions and Pre-Service NCE Teachers’ Learning Outcomes: Differential Effects of Gender and Schools of Affiliation

The effect of repeated closures of schools and institutions of learning due to strike actions is debilitating and casts a dark shadow on the educational sector in Nigeria. This paper thus examines the effect of strike actions on the learning outcomes of pre-service teachers in Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo adopting a mixed method of research with qualitative and quantitative approaches, sample randomly 371 NCE 1, 2, and 3 pre-service teachers that witnessed the saga of incessant industrial actions using two instruments for data collection, Effects of Strike Action on Students Learning Outcomes Questionnaire (ESASLQ, r=0.79) and Effects of Strike Action on Students Learning Outcomes Interview Scale (ESASOI, r=0.72). Data was analysed using frequency counts and percentages, t-test and ANOVA. There was significant pre-service teachers’ perceived effects of strike action on pre-service teachers’ learning outcomes ( =66.12; df= 326; t= 96.63; p<.05).  The pre-service NCE teachers’ perceived effects of strike action was significant on their lecture attendance ( =15.30; df= 326; t= 101.77; p<.05), writing lecture note ( =14.70; df= 326; t= 96.57; p<.05)., preparing for tests and assignment ( =14.60; df= 326; t= 85.31; p<.05), preparation for examinations ( =14.26; df= 326; t= 79.56; p<.05), respect for constituted authority ( =13.98; df= 326; t= 77.92; p<.05) and academic results ( =13.57; df= 326; t=60.14; p<.05). The effect was significantly differentiated by their schools of affiliation (F(5, 285)= 34.36, p<.05).  It was recommended that government should conceive education as social function and fund it appropriately to forestall future catastrophe. Keywords: Strike action, Pre-Service NCE teachers’ learning outcomes, Gender, Schools of affiliation DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-11-06 Publication date:June 30th 202

Housing Strategies and Quality of Housing in Nigeria: what lessons from Wales?

This paper discusses the strategies for the provision of housing in Nigeria and the nexus with quality of housing. It reviews the various approaches at the provision of housing for Nigerian urban and rural dwellers since the independence of Nigeria over fifty years ago. The paper notes that housing need in Nigeria particularly in urban centres has continued to increase phenomenally while effective demand by the vast majority of the populace has not shown any visible improvement. It further notes that a consequence of all the interplay of forces in housing provision has been poor quality of housing in the country. It takes a look at housing provision in Wales, UK and the strategies used in achieving this, and draws a correlation with the Nigerian situation. It asserts that there are lessons to be learnt from Wales in improving housing provision and reducing the level of housing inadequacy in Nigeria. Keywords: nexus, Nigeria, quality, strategies, Wales.

MODELING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON MALARIA PREVALENCE

 Malaria is believed to be one of the deadly killers of humans worldwide and a threatto one-third of the world’s population. Based on this assertion, this study is used to determine the effect of Ibadan climatic variability on Ibadan malaria prevalence proportion since the city has a holoendemic malaria transmission. Multiple Trigonometric regression model was used to determine the effects of rainfall and temperature on Ibadan malaria prevalence since it can be used to model series that exhibit two or more types of variations simultaneously. From the results, the residuals of the fitted multiple trigonometric regression model are not serially correlated based on the value of the Durbin Watson Statistics. The coefficients of the fitted model were used to establish that for every unit increase or decrease in Ibadan city rainfall and temperature, there might be an increase or decrease in the malaria prevalence proportion over the years. The values of coefficient of determination  revealed that Ibadan city monthly rainfall and temperature jointly explained the variations in Ibadan malaria prevalence proportion up to 61%. The fitted multiple trigonometric regression model as well as a good fit and high predictive power based on the value of the adjusted coefficient of determination Based on these results Multiple trigonometric regression model is suitable and adequate for modelling the effect of Ibadan monthly climatic variability on malaria prevalence proportion which can cause a high rate of morbidity and mortality if not curtailed or curbed

Numerical solution of Boundary Value Problems by Piecewise Analysis Method

In this paper, we use an efficient numerical algorithm for solving two point fourth-order linear  and nonlinear boundary value problems, which is based on the homotopy analysis method (HAM), namely, the piecewise – homotopy analysis method ( P-HAM).The method contains an auxiliary parameter that provides a powerful tool to analysis strongly linear and nonlinear ( without linearization ) problems directly. Numerical examples are presented to compare the results obtained with some existing results found in literatures. Results obtained by the RHAM performed better in terms of accuracy achieved. Keywords:            Piecewise-homotopy analysis, perturbation, Adomain decomposition method, Variational Iteration, Boundary Value Problems

Exploring the Knowledge Sharing Practices among Medical Doctors in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Medical doctors constitute a vital component of the health sector’s workforce. One major factor that aids their efficiency is knowledge of practice and what they do with it. Literature is replete with knowledge-sharing cases among other professionals but less visible concerning physicians, especially in Nigeria. This study investigates the knowledge-sharing practices among doctors in Ibadan, one of the country’s major cities. The descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data collected through interviews with sixteen doctors selected through convenience sampling. Findings show that the doctors shared knowledge regularly through social media, formal discussions, and informal deliberations. The findings also indicated that the doctors derive benefits from exchanging information, while the knowledgesharing process challenges stem from adverse social factors. This study is useful to medical practitioners, medical associations, and policymakers who need data for staff development and how that impacts the health sector

Cognitive-enhancing properties of Morinda lucida (Rubiaceae) and Peltophorum pterocarpum (Fabaceae) in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice

Background: Cognitive disorders associated with aging have been successfully managed by African traditional medical practitioners using various plants. This study evaluated the cognitive enhancing potentials of Morinda lucida (L) Rubiaceae and Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC) ex. K Heyne in scopolamine induced amnesic animals.Materials and Methods: The anti-amnesic activity of the ethyl acetate extracts of Morinda lucida and Peltophorum pterocarpum at doses of 4 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg were assessed in scopolamine induced amnesic mice using Morris water maze test model. Effect of the extracts on the histology of the hippocampus was also evaluated.Results: The ethyl acetate extract of Morinda lucida and Peltophorum pterocarpum ameliorated scopolamine induced memory deficit in the animals under study. There was no effect of the extract on the histology of the hippocampus. However, there was an increase in the density of cells in the hippocampus of treated group as compared to the untreated.Conclusion: Morinda lucida and Peltophorum pterocarpum showed considerable enhancement of cognition in scopolamine induced amnesic mice.Keywords: Morinda lucida, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Morris water maze, Scopolamine, Hippocampu

In-silico identification of differentially expressed genes in Type 1 diabetes mellitus

The incidence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus T1DM varies markedly in different geographical populations but seems to be increasing globally. The focus of this research is to screen for T1D-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A meta-analysis was conducted using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The datasets included samples from T1DM and normal patients. The Robust Multichip Averaging (RMA) procedure was used for background correction, normalization and summarization to obtain expression level data and to discover differentially expressed genes. Box plots, Density plots, RNA degradation plots and recommended procedures from Affymetrix for quality control were implemented. The DEGs were screened and the exclusively expressed genes were uncovered through the Venn diagrams and heat maps functions in R language. 3,824 genes were classified, as DEGs of which 2,030 were upregulated and 1,794 were downregulated. Seven key genes (TLN1, ANPEP, F13A1, SPARC, SPTBN1, IGHA2 and IGHA1) were exclusively expressed in the whole progression. 58 DEGs were revealed through the Venn diagrams while the Heatmaps showed the differential expression data for 35 genes. IGHA1, IGHA2, IGKV4-1 were significantly expressed and upregulated. Although some of these genes have been previously associated with T1D, many other genes were identified for further studies

Bank Consolidation and Small Business Financing in Nigeria

Prior to the 2004 reform in the Nigerian bank~ sector, banks neglected the small and medium class saver and concentrated more on big corporate savers. Many banks abandoned their essential intermediation role of mobilizing savings and inculcating banking habit at the household and micro enterprise levels. This paper presents empirical findings on the effects of the 2005 bank consolidation on small business finance in Nigeria. The main objective of this paper is to assess the response of flow of credit from the banking sector to small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. Data for the study were sourced from the list of the 25 post consolidation banks in Nigeria. Panel data covering a period from 2004 to 20ll were analysed using the Levin, Lin and Chu panel unit root test analysis to ascertain the authenticity and accuracy of the data series as well as its reliability on policy issues. The study adopts panel regression approach comprising of fixed and random effect models and used Hausman Taylor option in selection of a more efficient estimator for the model equation. The study shows a percentage increase in post consolidation asset base by over 9 percent for the banks and profit maximization increases by 72 percent which could translate to increased bank propensity and readiness to lend. There is also a significant increase in SME credit supply accessible by firms resulting to increase investment and consolidated effort to encourage the development of more SME driving enterpr ise. The study therefore recommends that cr edit policy effect should ensure that banks reorganize their asset portfolios so as to create more provision for lending t o small firms rather than implementing policies that allow for more stringent conditions and r equirements that discourage future development of SME investments in the econom