Acetylcholine receptors in regenerating muscle accumulate at original synaptic sites in the absence of the nerve.

We examined the role of nerve terminals in organizing acetylcholine receptors on regenerating skeletal-muscle fibers. When muscle fibers are damaged, they degenerate and are phagocytized, but their basal lamina sheaths survive. New myofibers form within the original basal lamina sheaths, and they become innervated precisely at the original synaptic sites on the sheaths. After denervating and damaging muscle, we allowed myofibers to regenerate but deliberately prevented reinnervation. The distribution of acetylcholine receptors on regenerating myofibers was determined by histological methods, using [125I] alpha-bungarotoxin or horseradish peroxidase-alpha-bungarotoxin; original synaptic sites on the basal lamina sheaths were marked by cholinesterase stain. By one month after damage to the muscle, the new myofibers have accumulations of acetylcholine receptors that are selectively localized to the original synaptic sites. The density of the receptors at these sites is the same as at normal neuromuscular junctions. Folds in the myofiber surface resembling junctional folds at normal neuromuscular junctions also occur at original synaptic sites in the absence of nerve terminals. Our results demonstrate that the biochemical and structural organization of the subsynaptic membrane in regenerating muscle is directed by structures that remain at synaptic sites after removal of the nerve

Appreciation of Igbo Folktales and Songs Versus Realism

Igbo folktales are fiction. Folktales are regarded as fictitious, senseless and totally devoid of truth and reality and totally removed from real life situation and events. Nevertheless in their functionality, one discovers that folktales exhibit some elements of truth that somehow translate them into realismand true life situation. For instance while appreciating folktales, real people laugh, shout, cry, hiss, and clap hands as if in real life situation. An observation of folktale story telling sessions shows that Igbo people are so much attached to this literary genre. The author feels that there must be some natural compelling forces behind this phenomenon which make Igbo people appreciate their folktales (fiction) as if they were true life stories. This paper identifies and discusses these forces that make Igbo people appreciate their folktales so

Factors That Promote Gender Imbalance in the Teaching of Science/Mathematics: The Views of Practicing Teachers

This research was carried out to investigate factors that promote gender imbalance in the teaching of science/mathematics Fifty (50) Public Secondary and Primary Schools were selected randomly for the study. A total of one thousand (1000) teachers were used for the study comprising 400 males and 600 females. A twenty (20) item- questionnaire was used which consisted of statements that promote/inhibit gender imbalance in the teaching of science and mathematics. Data collected from respondent were subjected to t-test, weighted mean (x) and standard deviation (SD) statistical analysis. It was discovered that there is significant difference between male and female teachers in their views concerning factors that promote gender imbalance in the teaching of science/mathematics in favour of male teachers. Recommendations were given which include that Government should provide good working environment to teachers and equip the laboratories for effective teaching and learning of science and mathematics

The Effects of Gender and Mathematics Ability on Academic Performance of Students in Chemistry

This research was designed to investigate the effect of gender andmathematics ability on academic performance of students in Chemistry. The sample size comprises one hundred (100) SS 1 chemistry students in two secondary schools in Uyo metropolis. The instruments used were the Chemistry Achievement Test (CAT) and the Mathematics Ability Test (MAT). Independent t-test statistic tool was used to analyze the data collected. The result of the test indicated that gender does not have any significant effect on the academic performance of students in Chemistry. It was also observed that students with high mathematics ability performed significantly better than those with low mathematics ability in chemistry. From the findings of the study, it was recommended that both male and female chemistry students should equally be encouraged to excel in their studies and that science students who choose chemistry as a core subject should be made to understand the importance and relationship between mathematics and chemistry and apply themselves seriously to their studies

Perceived and Actual Learning Difficulties of Students in Secondary School Mathematics

This study investigated students’ perceived and actual learning difficulties insecondary school mathematics. A total of 120 secondary school studentswere involved in the study. This number was made up of 60 males and 60females from four co-educational secondary schools in Etinan LocalGovernment Area of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. A survey design wasadopted for the study. The Students’ Perception of Mathematics DifficultConcept Questionnaire (SPMDCQ) and Mathematics Achievement Test(MAT) were used as instruments for data collection. Data collected wereanalyzed using means and standard deviations, Spearman Rank OrderCorrelation and independent t-test. Findings showed that fourteen (14) of thetopics learned were identified as difficult based on students’ perceptions.Furthermore, a negative significant relationship (r = -0.27) was found toexist between the perceived and actual learning difficulties, while significantdifference existed between the male and female actual learning difficulties allat 5% level of significance. Recommendations were made that teachers try asmuch as possible to understand their students and their perceptions ofmathematics and adopt teaching methods that would be to their benefit

Ethnocentric bias in African philosophy vis-à-vis Asouzu’s Ibuanyidanda ontology

This paper is of the view that it is not bad for the Africans to defend their philosophy and their origin, as against the claims and positions of the few African thinkers, who do not believe that African philosophy exists, and a great number of the Westerners, who see nothing meaningful in their thoughts and ideas, but in doing so, they became biased and elevated their philosophy and relegated other philosophies to the background. This charge of ethnocentrism against those who deny African philosophy can also be extended to those African philosophers who in a bid to affirm African philosophy commit the discipline to strong ethnic reduction. This paper using Innocent Asouzu’s Ibuanyidanda ontology, observes that most of the African scholars are too biased and self aggrandized in doing African philosophy, and as such have marred the beauty of African philosophy, just in the name of attaching cultural value to it. Innocent Asouzu’s Ibuanyidanda ontology is used in this paper to educate the Africans that in as much as the Westerners cannot do without them, they too cannot do without Westerners. This paper therefore, is an attempt to eradicate ethnocentrism in and beyond Africa in doing philosophy through complementarity and mutual understanding of realities, not in a polarized mindset but in relationship to other realities that exist.KEYWORDS: Ethnocentrism, Bias, Ibuanyidanda, Ontology, Complementarity, Ethnophilosophy

Development of analytical, phyto- and myco-remediation techniques to manage petroleum-contaminated soils

Practical solutions to soil pollution by the petroleum industry are still to be fully realised. With new, unresolved and recurring cases, remediation options that are readily available, cost effective and environmentally friendly are required. Analytical methods for quick and easy monitoring are also crucial. To find appropriate solutions to petroleum-contaminated soils particularly for the Niger Delta, Nigeria; options, which satisfy the above principles, were investigated. Thus, the aims of this research were to identify readily available and sustainable techniques for remediation of petroleum-contaminated soils; evaluate ways to overcoming associated limitations, thereby enhancing these techniques; and investigate for readily available methods of monitoring the petroleum-contaminated and remediated soils. After a systematic and critical literature review, phyto- and myco-remediation were identified as viable options for this research, their limitations were evaluated. The actual study involved sampling of petroleum contaminated soils, treatment with phyto- and myco-remediation agents and investigation of methods for analysis and monitoring of the soils. Agents used for the remediation (evaluated in terms of reduction in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons-TPHs in the soil samples) were: 3 species of sunflowers (Helianthus annus-pacino gold, Helianthus sunsation & Helianthus annus-sunny dwarf), the fern-Dryopteris affinis, fermented palm wine (from 2 species of palm trees -Elaeis guineensis & Raffia africana), and oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Supplementing the agents with Tween 80 and the use of alternative substrates and methods for application of P. ostreatus enabled the investigation of possible enhancement of their remediation efficiency. The investigation revealed up to 525 g of TPHs per Kg dry weight of soils. The remediation treatments produced as much as 69% reduction in TPHs by the sunflower species, 70% by fermented palm wine, 74% by D. affinis and 85% by P. ostreatus; with up to 100% enhancement on the addition of Tween-80. It was also found that substrates type and method of application has a significant effect on the remediation efficiency of P. ostreatus. The study further revealed that available nitrate, electrical conductivity, standardised crude oil and the biomarkers dodecane and benzene-1,3-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) can be used to broadly monitor the concentration of TPHs and remediation progress in soils. This research thus demonstrated that, phyto-and myco-remediation can provide readily available and sustainable techniques for remediation of TPHs in soils. Further studies are required to evaluate the application of these techniques for individual petroleum contaminant components such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds and Asphaltenes

The effect of gas flare on the health of schoolchildren in the Niger delta area of Nigeria

The proximity of schools to gas flaring sites and the use of simple ventilation systems in school buildings with currently no regulation or laid down blueprint during design and construction in an environment prone to adverse environmental hazards caused by the continuous exploration of oil in the Niger Delta is worrisome. Although a wide health implication has been associated with inhalation of poor air, its effect on the performance of schoolchildren and staffs is poorly understood. Thus, the aim of this research is to explore from professionals around the region the issues surrounding the provision of clean air indoors even though, most developed and developing world are advancing in newer systems and technologies for clean indoor air. This study adopts both qualitative and quantitative approach using both open-ended and semi- structured interview techniques. This paper finds that indoor air quality is not considered during design, selection, and construction of schools. Analysis showed that rather than consider the health effect associated with the inhalation of ambient air by schoolchildren who spend 80% of their active time in schools due to the use of simple open windows and doors as the source of breathable air. Advanced ventilation systems were therefore recommended to ensure supplying clean air for school buildings

Examining the state of public schools in the gas flaring areas of Nigeria

The Niger Delta region produces over 82.8% of the natural gas that is associated with oil production in Nigeria. Due to economic and political reasons, this gas is not retained for energy use. Instead, it is burned off in the air. The pollution caused by these flares creates many environmental, social and economic impacts on the building fabric of public schools and the health of the users of such buildings in the vicinity of oil fields. Current architecture and building materials used to construct school buildings have been described as being deplorable and dilapidated and are unsuited to withstand the effects of polluted air. To date there has been no comprehensive study of the environmental challenges associated with gas flaring and schools. There is thus the need to adopt a system of research that describes the current conditions of flares sites so that proposal on methods to protect fabric and the users of these buildings from harm. Design science has been adopted as the research approach that can provide solutions to this real life situation. This will discuss the issues arising from the impact of gas flares on schools and the approach that has been adopted to research the remedial or resilient steps that might be taken to mitigate its effects