Inventory of Vegetation and Assessment of Carbon Storage Capacity towards a Low Carbon Campus: a Case Study of Universiti Tun Husein Onn Malaysia, Johor Malaysia

Carbon dioxide, a vital greenhouse gas plays a key role in Earth's carbon cycle, a concentration above ambient temperature results in global warming. High CO2 emission in Universiti Tun Husein Onn Malaysia is due to an increase in a number of automobiles and other greenhouse gases released from building facilities and nearby industries. A study was carried out on 22 common trees planted within the campus on the estimated amount of CO2 sequestered. Estimation of carbon storage of trees was obtained through the assessments of standing biomass as well measurement of their photosynthetic capacity. Results indicated that Spathodea campanulata has the highest CO2 absorption (14.40 µmol/ m-2/s-1) followed by Acacia mangium (14.03 µmol/m-2/s-1), and Cananga odorata with (12.80 µmol m-2 s-1). Alstonia scholaris has the highest aboveground standing biomass accumulation of 106.94 kg, followed by Samanea saman (20.83 kg), and Acacia mangium (19.43 kg). The total biomass accumulated of all the tree species is 200.03 kg. Therefore, species of trees in Universiti Tun Husein Onn Malaysia main campus have the potential to absorb a significant amount of CO2 from the atmosphere thereby contributing to mitigating-the localized effects of global warming

Nigerian Arabic and Islamic Drama and the Promotion of Peace and Conflict Resolution among the Muslims: Finding Meaning in Alabi’s Al-A’qidatul-haditha (The Modern Creed)

Drama has been widely acclaimed as a positive medium for mirroring the society. It is a representation of life. It entertains, educate and inform. Drama has been employed by playwrights over the years to make constructive social commentaries on issues and happenings in the society. It is not new in Nigeria today that most of the social conflict and disunity among the people especially the Muslims are ascribed to the method of tackling religious issues. Lack of good admonition and application of wisdom has caused so many conflicts among the people. This paper therefore analyses one of Abdulganiy Adebayo Alabi’s play texts, Al-a’qidatul Haditha (The modern creed). The play is written in Arabic language with a view to educate the society especially the Muslim youths on method of propagating religious activities with moral approach. The paper therefore draws some valuable lessons that could be learned from the play text which can serve as means of promoting peace and conflict resolution. The researchers adopts the content analysis of qualitative research method The research findings shows that if propagation of religion is not carefully done with wisdom and good admonition as instructed by Allah and His Messenger (SAW) can lead to hatred, conflict, misconception, insecurity and disorderliness among the citizens. The study recommends that more plays should be written by Arabic and Islamic Scholars to educate and promote peace and security. The paper therefore, concludes that Arabo-Islamic drama is a vital medium for the propagation of peace, conflict resolution and real Islamic culture in Nigeria

Approaches for Analyzing Multivariate Mixed Endpoints With High-Dimensional Covariates.

Approaches for Analyzing Multivariate Mixed Endpoints With High-Dimensional Covariates

A REVIEW OF ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN THE SOCIAL RESEARCH ENTERPRISE

The challenges humans face all over the world necessitate the need for scientific research to solving the problems. Meanwhile, the process of conducting research in the social sciences may results in harm to the study participants; thus, the need for and adherence to ethical considerations to guide social scientific studies. This theoretical paper, therefore, is an attempt to review ethical challenges in the Social Sciences. The paper, which utilized the functionalist theory, identified the important role research ethics play in quality research output in the social sciences. The paper also examined the areas where ethical considerations are needed in social research, including among others: research methods, subject matter, data analysis and reporting, and utilization of research findings. Major ethical principles in social science research were highlighted in this paper. Furthermore, common ethical challenges in social research were also addressed. The paper concludes that, strict adherence to ethical standards in social research would go a long way to ensure credibility in any research enterprise, and by extension, lead to sustainable national development. An enduring strategy is therefore, needed to enhance ethical practices in the social science research. We, therefore, recommend, among others that, universities and other higher institutions of learning should establish Research and Ethics Committees that would ensure that both students and researchers always obtain ethical clearance before embarking on any research involving human beings, especially. Also, the professional bodies in the Social Science Faculty should, as a matter of urgency establish ethical codes for its members regarding the conduct of social research

The Impact of Instructional Supervision on Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This study examined the Impact of Instructional Supervision on Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Nasarawa State with reference to Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE). Five research questions were used to guide the study to a rational conclusion. Descriptive Survey method was adopted in which Instructional Supervision and Students’ Academic Performance Questionnaire (ISSAPQ) were used to obtain relevant data from 92 teachers in 37 selected Senior Secondary schools using the simple random sampling techniques. Pearson product moment correlational statistics (Pearson r) and t-test at 0.05 level of significance was used to analyse the data generated and answer the research questions. The study show that regular instructional supervision using robust supervision strategies like checking of students’ notebooks, classroom visitation/inspection by school administrators, checking teachers’ lesson plan/notes and inspection of teachers record keeping have significant correlation with teachers’ performance and academic achievement of students in Secondary Schools. Recommendations like proper alignment of government policies with educational needs of the society, provision of adequate and relevant instructional materials for teaching, regular in-service training for teachers’ capacity development, depoliticization of the free education programmes and proper evaluation of school administrative procedures and educational outcomes were adduced for remediation. Keywords: Students Academic Performance, Instructional Supervision, Secondary Schoo

Assessment of the impact of the application single photon emission computerized tomography and SPECT-CT on lesion catergorization

Includes bibliographical referencesObjectives: To assess initial experience with the use of a new SPECT-CT in the evaluation of lesions. Methods: The folder number, radiopharmaceutical used and type of scan of patients examined with a new Siemens T6 SPECT-CT between 2 April and 31 December 2013 were retrieved. The number of 99m Tc -MDP bone scans was sufficient for a detailed analysis. The scans were re-processed and reported by the observer before he was given any clinical information. Whole body planar, whole body planar plus SPECT and whole body planar plus SPECT-CT images were assessed successively in three separate sessions at least two weeks apart. At each session, the certainties of detection, localisation, and categorisation of each lesion were recorded. Results: A total of 539 lesions were seen on the whole body, SPECT and CT images in 133 patients. The whole body images showed no lesions in three patients and 378 lesions in 130 patients, 117(31%) lesions in areas not covered by the SPECT. SPECT detected 122 additional lesions in 79 patients. Thirty-nine (12.2%) lesions were seen only on CT in 32 (24.1%) patients. F or the 261 lesions seen on the planar images in the SPECT FOV, lesion detection was definite in 233 (89.3%), localisation definite in 151(57.9%) and categorisation definite in 123 (47.1%) lesions. On the SPECT, definite lesion detection, localisation and categorisation were recorded respectively for 259 (99.2%), 228 (87.4%) and 176 (67.4%) of the 261 lesions. Lesion detection, localisation and categorisation certainties were definite for 100%, 99.1% and 94.7% of the SPECT-CT lesions respectively. Conclusion: Whole body planar scintigraphy is essential in lesion detection. SPECT markedly improves lesion detection and localisation and CT enhances lesion categorisation

Educational Resources: An Integral Component for Effective School Administration in Nigeria

Education as an investment constitutes the largest enterprise in Nigeria. It is the principal instrument for academic progress, social mobilization, political survival and effective national development of any country. Investment in education is a necessary condition for promotion of economic growth and national development. Educational institutions including schools are established and managed essentially to achieve certain stated goals and objectives. There is no way the goal and objectives of an educational institution can be achieved without putting in place certain mechanisms towards ensuring the success of such institutions. In the school system, part of the integral pre-requisites to be put in place towards the actualization of the educational goal and objectives requires adequate provision of resources, maximum utilization and appropriate management of education resources to avoid wastages and improve the quality of the teaching - learning process in the academic environment. This paper therefore examined the concept of school administration and education resources, classification of education resources, relevance of education resources in the school system, challenges associated with the availability and utilization of resources in the school. Solutions were adduced on how to overcome the identified challenges so as to ensure effective and efficient management of available resources in the school system. Keywords: Education, Education Resources, School Administration, School System, Teacher

Predestination and the metaphysics of identity: a Yoruba (African) case study

Predestination, as a metaphysical issue, carries the idea of prenatal choice or ascription of the purpose or end to which any person or thing is created. Destiny as chosen or ascribed to a person represents what the person has to unwind in the world. In Yoruba account of predestination, a moulded body, already infused with the spirit of life by Olodumare (the supreme being), goes to pick an Ori (the bearer of destiny). Sometimes, such a destiny is considered imposed on the self. The destiny, so chosen or so ascribed or imposed, encapsulates the successes and failures which the human being is meant to unravel during his or her course of existence in this world. Considering some arguments on personal identity, the paper observes that a case of identity cannot be established between the person who chose a destiny in heaven and the one who is assumed to be unraveling it in the world. Given the fact that the relationship of identity cannot be established between the two entities, the paper concludes that the notion of predestination, with special focus on the Yoruba account, cannot stand rational scrutiny.A predestinação como uma questão da metafísica tem a ver com a idéia de uma escolha ou uma atribuição pré-natal do objetivo ou da finalidade pela qual uma pessoa ou um objeto foi criado. O destino como algo escolhido ou atribuído representa aquilo que a pessoa deve cumprir ao longo da sua vida terrestre. Conforme alguns relatos iorubanos acerca da predestinação, após a infusão do fôlego da vida que Olodumare (o ente supremo) deposita em cada pessoa criada, a pessoa tem que escolher o seu ori (destino) que o vai acompanhar ao mundo. Outros relatos acreditam que esse destino é imposto à pessoa. Seja qual for a maneirada aquisição, os iorubas acreditam que é dentro desse destino que se encontra impresso os sucessos e fracassos que a pessoa vai ter que vivenciar durante toda a sua vida. Baseado em alguns argumentos propostos sobre a identidade pessoal, este artigo observa que não se pode estabelecer a priori uma relação de identidade entre aquela pessoa que escolheu um destino numa existência pré-natal e aquele que, supostamente está cumprindo esse mesmo destino no mundo físico. Devido a essa impossibilidade de provar que se trata nos dois casos duma e mesma pessoa, o artigo conclui que a noção de predestinação proposta pelo código iorubano não pode ser sustentado de um ponto de vista racional

Effect of Instruction in Emotional Intelligence Skills on Locus of Control and Academic Self –Efficacy among Junior Secondary School Students in Niger State, Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of instruction in emotional intelligence Skills on locus of control and academic self-efficacy among junior secondary school students in Niger state, Nigeria.  This study employed a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group, pre-test – post-test design. The population of this study was 105,034 secondary school students out of which 40 students were purposively sampled and used for the study. The instrument used for data collection were locus of control scale(LOCS) and Academic Self Efficacy Scales (ASES).Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation and t-test. The findings reveals that, Emotional intelligence skills was effective in moderating locus of control (t=23.98, p=.000) and improve academic self-efficacy (t=22.88, p=.000) of secondary school students.  And there was no gender difference in the effect of emotional intelligence skills on locus of control (t=1.02, p=.064) and academic self-efficacy (t=3.41, p=.003) of respondents. It was recommended that School Principals, counsellors, Psychologist and Subject teachers should be exposed to training in Emotional intelligence skills such as emotional self-awareness, self-management, social- awareness and relationship management in re-addressing students with academic problems

Body mass index variations among adolescents from Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Bodyweight and height measurements were carried out on 2, 100 healthy teenagers (1050 males and 1050 females) randomly selected in Kano metropolis. These measurements were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) according to the formula weight (kg)/height2 (m). Mean BMI values increased with age in the subjects irrespective of sex. However, female subjects had higher mean BMI values than their male counterparts in all the age groups. Mean BMI values ranged from 17.0 to 20.9 in males and from 18.0 to 24.0 in females. These BMI ranges of values were used as the basis for classification of the subjects as underweight, normal and overweight. Key words: adolescence, body mass index, anthropometric assessment, nutritional statu