bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative morphology of part of the integumental fine structure of two Erythroneurine species: Singapora shinshana (Matsumura, 1932) and Empoascanara sipra Dworakowska, 1980 (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae)
Authors: Jiang Jia , Dietrich Christopher H. , Li Can , Song Yuehua
Published: May 2022

This study describes the fine structure of the mouthparts, antennae, forewings, and brochosomes of two leafhopper species belonging to the typhlocybine tribe Erythroneurini collected from the Karst area of Guizhou Province, southern China: Singapora shinshana, which prefers woody dicot hosts, and Empoascanara sipra, which feeds on grasses. As in other leafhoppers, the piercing-sucking mouthparts consist of a conical labrum, a cylindrical three-segmented labium, and a slender stylet fascicle. The labrum of both species has no sensilla and the labium has several common types of sensilla, but the two species differ in the numbers, types, and distribution of sensilla and in other aspects of the surface sculpture of the mouthparts. The stylet fascicle has distinctive dentition on both the maxillary and mandibular stylets. The antennae of the two species differ in several respects, including the sensilla and sculpture of the scape, pedicel, and flagellum, as well as the degree of sub-segmentation of the flagellum. Except for the variable scaly structure and rounded protrusions on the surface of S. shinshana, the fine structure of the forewing surfaces of the two species are similar to those of other leafhoppers. Only small spherical brochosomes were found on the body surface of S. shinshana and E. sipra. Similar studies of additional erythroneurine species are needed to determine whether differences in mouthpart and antennal fine structure may reflect adaptation to different host plant.
Repenser la relation avunculaire dans le duché de Normandie : diversité et multiplicité des points de vue documentaires (X e -XIII e siècle)
Authors: Fresnel Hugo
Published: May 2022

Pendant longtemps, l’historiographie a vu en l’oncle maternel une figure particulière de la parenté médiévale. La fréquence de la relation avunculaire dans les sources littéraires est particulièrement marquante. Toutefois, peu d’études ont été menées à partir d’autres types de sources. Après un retour sur l’historiographie, cet article propose à partir de plusieurs points de vue documentaires des réalités différentes de la relation avunculaire. Dans celles-ci, cette relation de parenté n’apparaît pas comme un élément structurel de la vie des individus. Ni uniquement positive, ni présente avec la même fréquence que dans les sources littéraires, ni pôle unique et préférentiel de la parenté proche, elle semble alors avant tout prendre de son importance lorsqu’elle s’inscrit dans le champ de la parenté pratique.
Velocity clamping-assisted adaptive salp swarm algorithm: balance analysis and case studies
Authors: Ding Hongwei , Cao Xingguo , Wang Zongshan , Dhiman Gaurav , Hou Peng , Wang Jie , Li Aishan , Hu Xiang
Published: May 2022

Salp swarm algorithm (SSA) is a recently proposed, powerful swarm-intelligence based optimizer, which is inspired by the unique foraging style of salps in oceans. However, the original SSA suffers from some limitations including immature balance between exploitation and exploration operators, slow convergence and local optimal stagnation. To alleviate these deficiencies, a modified SSA (called VC-SSA) with velocity clamping strategy, reduction factor tactic, and adaptive weight mechanism is developed. Firstly, a novel velocity clamping mechanism is designed to boost the exploitation ability and the solution accuracy. Next, a reduction factor is arranged to bolster the exploration capability and accelerate the convergence speed. Finally, a novel position update equation is designed by injecting an inertia weight to catch a better balance between local and global search. 23 classical benchmark test problems, 30 complex optimization tasks from CEC 2017, and five engineering design problems are employed to authenticate the effectiveness of the developed VC-SSA. The experimental results of VC-SSA are compared with a series of cutting-edge metaheuristics. The comparisons reveal that VC-SSA provides better performance against the canonical SSA, SSA variants, and other well-established metaheuristic paradigms. In addition, VC-SSA is utilized to handle a mobile robot path planning task. The results show that VC-SSA can provide the best results compared to the competitors and it can serve as an auxiliary tool for mobile robot path planning.
Effective guide for behaviour of farmers in the withdrawal of rural homesteads: An evolutionary game-based study
Authors: Liu Jingyu , Meng Weidong , Li Yuyu , Huang Bo , Zhang Bixi
Published: May 2022

In this study, we determined how farmers can be effectively encouraged to withdraw from their idle homesteads, in addition to revitalising the rural construction land stock and realising the market-oriented allocation of land resources. We constructed an evolutionary game model under three scenarios: without penalty mechanism; with a static penalty mechanism; and with a dynamic penalty mechanism. Further, we explicitly describe the strategic behaviours and dynamic evolution processes of local governments and farmers during withdrawal from their rural homesteads. According to the results of the evolutionary stable strategy, under effect of the dynamic penalty mechanism, the strategy systems formed by local governments as well as farmers can gradually converge and stabilise after short-term shocks, compared with that under the no penalty and static penalty mechanisms. Overall, the penalty mechanism mitigates the instability in the game process during participants' incremental changes and strategy choices, while the dynamic mechanism is optimal. Both static and dynamic penalty mechanisms influence the binary equilibrium strategies of local governments as well as farmers, and farmers' strategies evolve towards this state of withdrawal from their homesteads with increasing penalty. When the model is dynamically improved, the probability of farmers' withdrawal of their homesteads increases with increasing penalty. Thus, clearly, the establishment of a penalty mechanism can promote stability of the participants' system; higher penalty implies higher motivation for farmers to withdraw their idle homesteads, enabling revitalisation of the rural stock of construction land and promotion of the optimal allocation of land resource elements.
The Perils of Polysemy: Racial Realism in the Real World
Authors: Jackson John P.
Published: May 2022

This paper critiques the biological race realism of Quayshawn Spencer. Spencer's recent embrace of “radical race pluralism” (RRP) is welcome but incomplete, because it needs methods that distinguish different communicative contexts for how American English speakers use “race” and related terms. I offer a pragmatic approach to identifying such contexts that combines pragmatic argumentation theory, rhetorical polysemy, and a pragmatic approach to definition. One consequence of embracing RRP is that Spencer's theory of “OMB race talk” is unsupportable because it collapses three distinct communicative contexts: genomic research, legal and regulatory governance, and ordinary talk. By so doing, OMB race talk blocks attempts to fight racism and violates ethical standards that should allow people the agency to define their own identities.
Ma matire est del plus prodome : construction du discours biographique dans l’Histoire de Guillaume le Maréchal
Authors: Sartenar Aude
Published: May 2022

L’Histoire de Guillaume le Maréchal est une biographie chevaleresque anglo-normande rédigée entre 1224 et 1226 par un certain Jean le Trouvère. Souvent étudiée comme témoignage de première main sur les mœurs de l’aristocratie anglo-normande de la fin du xiie siècle, ce récit revêt un intérêt particulier en raison des nombreuses interventions du narrateur. Deux conclusions peuvent être dégagées à la fin de cette étude : d’une part, l’Histoire de Guillaume le Maréchal présente suffisamment de divergences avec le corpus bourguignon du xve siècle pour la considérer comme appartenant à une tradition différente. D’autre part, la notion d’hybridité qui s’attache au genre spécifique de la biographie chevaleresque ne peut pas être validée, car cette dernière est régie selon un système propre et indépendant de ses sources d’inspiration que sont l’hagiographie, l’épopée, l’hagiographie et le roman.
Teachers' Successful Information and Communication Technology Integration in Primary School
Authors: Razak Nor Asiah , Jalil Habibah Ab , Krauss Steven Eric , Ahmad Nor Aniza
Published: May 2022

Despite extensive research on ICT integration among teachers, limited knowledge was given to understand the successful integration of ICT among teachers. For those purposes, a single-case study aimed to explain the successful integration of ICT by teachers into teaching in one national primary school in Malaysia. Data were collected using multi-method of data collection including in-depth interviews, non-participants observations, and document analysis. The results discovered three models that lead to teachers' successful ICT integration in teaching, explaining how the interactions between the contradictions, causes of contradictions, and resolutions of contradictions have hindered or influenced the teachers to integrate ICT in their teaching. The findings indicate the activity system of department and school (prior activities) influencing activity system of the classroom (recent activity), led to the successful integration of ICT by teachers in teaching.
Lessons learned from the World Health Organization’s late initial response to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Authors: Park Chulwoo
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this article is to 1) examine the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in controlling infectious disease outbreaks, 2) evaluate if the WHO’s initial response to the 2014-2016 Ebola crisis was appropriate, 3) evaluate current WHO’s efforts to prevent future disease outbreaks after the Ebola elimination, and 4) suggest how WHO should be further reformed to provide prompt and accurate guidance to multi-sectoral health stakeholders at local, national, regional and global level for effective surveillance preparedness and response. This is a non-systematic narrative literature review. The articles from PubMed, Scopus, Medline, books, WHO documents and websites, and mass media were collected to be analyzed. WHO is the only specialized agency in the United Nations (UN) that promotes people’s health with legitimacy around the globe. Due to the lack of funding and health workforce, weak global health governance, and political and economic concerns about afflicted countries, WHO failed to respond promptly to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. WHO has a central role in the architecture of global health governance. Although WHO was not the only one to be responsible for devastating 2014-2016 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa, it is undeniable that WHO was unprepared to respond to the EVD and failed to govern the global health response system. Furthermore, WHO should always remember its unique responsibility of taking the initiative to respond to the infectious disease outbreak by alarming a distress call.
Inflammatory response in human lung cells stimulated with plasma from COPD patients
Authors: Arellano-Orden Elena , Calero-Acuña Carmen , Sanchez-Lopez Verónica , Carrasco-Hernandez Laura , Márquez-Martín Eduardo , Ortega-Ruiz Francisco , Otero-Candelera Remedios , Marín-Hinojosa Carmen , López-Campos José Luis
Published: May 2022

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition resulting from a persistent inflammatory state in the airways even after smoking cessation. Intriguingly, the reasons behind this persistence of the inflammatory influx without smoking exposure have not been fully unraveled. We aimed to explore the hypothesis that systemic inflammation in COPD patients influences lung cell inflammatory response. Methods: We cultured human lung fibroblast and human airway epithelial cell lines with plasma from COPD patients (four emphysematous-COPD, four asthma-COPD overlap, four chronic bronchitis-COPD, and four bronchiectasis-COPD), and four smokers or ex-smokers without COPD as controls. We measured Interleukine-8 (IL-8), C-reactive protein (CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in plasma and culture supernatants by ELISA. Results: Cells stimulated with plasma from COPD patients and control subjects produced higher CRP, IL-8 and MMP-9 levels, an increase for COPD in CRP(p=0.039) in epithelial cells and IL-8(p=0.039) in fibroblasts and decrease for MMP-9(p=0.039) in fibroblasts. The response was higher in epithelial cells for IL-8(p=0.003) and in fibroblasts for MMP-9(p=0.063). The plasma from chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis phenotypes induced higher IL-8 in fibroblasts. Conclusions: Plasma from COPD patients increases the inflammatory response in lung epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts, with a different response depending on the cell type and clinical phenotype.
Virtual Reality Simulator Face Validity for Topographic Real Situation of Inflated Abdomen
Authors: Tas Tuncay , Çakiroglu Basri , Akdeniz Esra , Hazar Ismet A , Balci Can
Published: May 2022

Objective:

The aim of this study is to investigate the face validity of LapSIM® (haptic feedback Xitact™ IHP, Mentice AB, Sweden) for the topographic real condition of the inflated abdomen in upper urinary tract laparoscopic interventions.

Materials and Methods:

The present study was conducted with 30 urologists with experience in transperitoneal laparoscopic renal surgery. Surgeons were divided into three groups: novices, intermediate experience, and experts. After performing the tasks, the participants were then asked to finish a five-item questionnaire regarding the face validity of the simulator. Participants answered questions with ratings from 1 (not realistic/useful) to 5 (very realistic/useful).

Results:

The mean age of the study group was 38.33 ± 5.45 (29–47) years. The mean years of experience of the doctors were 4.27 ± 1.89 (1–7) years. All the variables showed significant differences from the ideal value of 5. We also tested whether the medians differed from 3, and the restrained body posture of the surgeon, the monitor position, and the trocar position not show significance with one-sidedPvalue ofP= 0.825,P= 0.992, andP= 0.265, respectively.

Conclusion:

Although the LapSIM® virtual reality simulator provides face validity for the topographic real condition of the inflated abdomen, it should be improved.
Isolated Adrenal Gland Hematoma after Blunt Abdominal Trauma
Authors: Tsakiris Savvas , Paparidis Spyridon , Zerva Maria , Katsimantas Antonios , Bouropoulos Konstantinos , Ferakis Nikolaos
Published: May 2022

Isolated traumatic adrenal gland hematoma is a very rare condition. Our aim is to present a case of an isolated traumatic hematoma of the adrenal gland after a low-speed motorcycle accident without other associated injuries. A 30-year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency department complaining of intense upper abdominal pain associated with shortness of breath. Trauma ultrasonography assessment, focused assessment with ultrasonography for trauma, was negative; emergency computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a well-defined 3.8 cm × 2.8 cm mass in the location of his right adrenal gland. He was hospitalized for 48 h and was discharged hemodynamically stable, with normal hemoglobin levels. CT imaging at 1-month follow-up revealed a decrease in hematoma size and complete resolution of symptoms. Conservative treatment may be the method of choice for adrenal trauma, provided that patients remain hemodynamically stable and closely monitored.
Prevalence of Underweight, Stunting, Wasting and Obesity among Urban School Going Children – Need for Action
Authors: Tyagi Shikha , Hiremath Ravishekar N. , Ramakrishna Taramangalam Sethuraman , Chourey Niraj , Ghodke Sandhya
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

The mental and physical growth, nutritional status, academic achievements of school-going children in the age group of 6-15 years are some of the important factors that would play a key role in shaping the future of our country in the coming years.

Objectives:

To assess the prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting and obesity among urban school going children of Western Maharashtra, India so that corrective actions can be taken to improve the nutritional status.

Methodology:

We conducted a cross-sectional study on children aged 6-15 years studying in urban schools of Western Maharashtra. 2276 children were included in the study and a simple random sampling technique was used to select the sections of classes I to X standard. All children belonging to that section were included in the study. Institutional ethical clearance was taken, and informed consent was taken from all parents. Data was collected by the investigator himself by using a standard protocol and anthropometric measurements were taken using standard techniques.

Results:

In our study, according to WHO MGRS standards, the total prevalence of underweight was 3.57% among 5-9 years old children. Out of this, 0.4% of children were severely underweight. 3.3% boys and 3.87% girls were underweight. Stunting was observed in 1.4% of children. About 0.1% of children were severely stunted. Sex specific prevalence observed was 1.2% in boys and 1.8% in girls. Wasting was observed in 11.1% children. About 1.9% children were severely wasted. Among boys, 12.6% were wasted. As for girls, 9.3% were wasted. About 19.1% and 5.1% children were overweight and obese, respectively. Sex distribution for overweight was, 22.1% boys and 15.2% girls and that for obesity was, 6.4% boys and 3.4% girls.

Conclusion:

Although the prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was less among the study participants, nutritional education should be imparted to children, regarding the type of food to be eaten, major food groups, nutritive value of various foods, and common nutritional problems and their effects. Overweight and obesity prevalence was high, hence requiring special emphasis to be given to these children. Health education should be imparted to parents during parent teacher meetings and IEC campaigns, regarding correct dietary practices such as food diversification and common nutritional problems in children and their consequences.
The Spectrum of External Dysmorphic Features among Newborns
Authors: Sunil O. , Trinesh Gowda M. S.
Published: May 2022

Background:

There is a frequent underreporting of minor congenital anomalies. The present study was conducted to identify and record the birth defects (external dysmorphism) among newborns delivered in district hospital attached to Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya, for a duration of 1 year.

Methodology:

After obtaining the parent's written informed consent, newborns were examined for birth defects (visible external dysmorphic features). The details were recorded in the self-designed proforma, and findings/data were statistically studied. Birth defects were analyzed using the WHO International Classification of Diseases 10 reference guide.

Results:

During the present study, 502 live newborns were examined physically for external dysmorphic features and 17 cases were diagnosed as external congenital dysmorphism. In the present study, the frequency of congenital external dysmorphism was 3.4% and the most common system involved was a musculoskeletal system followed by cutaneous and central nervous system anomalies. We report five cases of talipes equinovarus, two cases of preauricular skin tags, one case each of polydactyly, syndactyly, harlequin ichthyosis, VACTERAL (vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities) association, Down syndrome, spina bifida cystica, spina bifida occulta, preauricular tags, preauricular sinus, cleft hard palate, and cleft lip with palate among other congenital anomalies noted.

Conclusion:

In the present study, the frequency of congenital external dysmorphism was 3.4% and the most common system involved was a musculoskeletal system (41.2%).
Anatomy of Lateral Pectoral Nerve and its Clinical Significance
Authors: Madhavan C. Manju , Rajasekharan Sreekumar , Varghese Susan
Published: May 2022

Background:

Anatomy of the pectoral nerves is very important for surgeons who plan pectoral nerve grafts, breast augmentation surgeries, and radical mastectomies. The correlates given in literature are contradictory in nature. Hence, a study was planned to elucidate the anatomy of lateral pectoral nerves (LPNs).

Methodology:

40 pectoral regions of embalmed cadavers were dissected. Number, location, length, diameter, branches, and distribution of the LPN were noted. They were grouped according to the number and pattern of origin.

Results:

Two LPN were found in 77.5% of the specimens, with origins from the lateral cord of brachial plexus either from a common point (45%) or separately (32.5%). Superior LPN (SLPN) was closely related to cephalic vein, had a mean length of 4.7 cm, diameter of 1.9 mm and had two branches supplying clavicular head of pectoralis major. A shorter SLPN of average length 1.55 cm was noted when it pierced the pectoralis minor muscle proximally (32.5%). Inferior LPN (ILPN) was closely related to thoracoacromial vessels, had a mean length of 3.6 cm, diameter 1.7 mm and had two branches, one supplying sternocostal head of pectoralis major and the other communicating with medial pectoral nerve. In 95% of the specimens, both these nerves could be identified just below the clavicle, at the junction between its middle and lateral thirds. In cases with single LPN (7 specimens), it branched into SLPN and ILPN.

Conclusion:

The anatomy of LPN is variable and important while exploring the pectoral region during surgeries.
The effectiveness of story retelling on junior high school students’ reading comprehension and writing
Authors: Regis-Onuoha Adaeze
Published: May 2022

The poor performance of Nigerian students in the English language, both in internal and external examinations, poses a challenge to scholars of reading. This study sought to find out if story retelling as a technique of teaching reading comprehension and writing will in any way affect the ability of Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) students to comprehend text, retell given stories as well as improve their writing. The quasi experimental method was used to conduct the study. Eighty subjects in two junior secondary schools in Owerri, East of Nigeria, were grouped into Experimental and Control groups. Both groups were taught the same content of the school syllabus; the period of instruction was the same for both. However, while the Control group was taught using the conventional method, the Experimental group was taught through the use of story reading and retelling. At the end of the treatment, a post-test was administered on both the Control and Experimental groups. The transactional theory of learning which sees reading and writing as personal meaning-making processes was used to guide the study. The scores of students from their written retellings constituted the data and were analyzed using means and standard deviation. It was found that the performance of students (both Control and Experimental) in the pre-test were within the same range. But there was a marked difference between the performance of the Control and Experimental groups in the post-test. Noticeably, the Experimental group performed better in the post-test than in the pre-test, as well as better than the Control Group. The paper therefore concluded that the story retelling strategy was effective in improving the comprehension, retelling and writing of students.
Dilemma of financial exclusion and inlusion in Africa: Can Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana be compared?
Authors: Nkwede Friday E. , Nkwede Joseph O. , Nkwagu Louis C.
Published: May 2022

This paper investigates the level of financial inclusion and exclusion in selected African countries with special attention to Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana in a comparative approach. The study utilized global survey data on financial inclusion index published by Global Findex. From the researcher‟s comparative analysis using the basic variables of financial inclusion, it was discovered that: in terms of financial service accessibility, bankable adult Nigerians have less access to financial services than South Africa while the degree of financial services availability and financial service usage are all higher in South Africa than Nigeria and Ghana. The implication of these findings is that South Africa is more financially inclusive than Nigeria and Ghana; indicating that greater percentage of Nigerian and Ghanaian bankable adult citizens are financially excluded from their economy irrespective of the various banking reforms in the two countries. It was recommended among other suggestions that an all-embracing financial inclusion strategy that is rural based be developed for Nigeria and Ghana as well as reduction in the cost of banking and financial services (especially lending and deposit rates in Africa). The implication of these recommendations is that in Africa (and even other continents) the higher the deposit rate, the more people are willing to save and the lower the lending rate the more people are willing to get loans. The study submitted that by hierarchy of financial inclusion in Africa, Nigeria and Ghana with their present high level of financial exclusion cannot be compared to South Africa in all the key indicators of financial inclusion.
Constraints to women’s empowerment in agriculture in rural farming areas in Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ayodeji Abiola Oyeboade , Rauf Ayodeji J. , Joshua Yila , Fapojuwo Oluwakemi Enitan , Alabi Stephen O.
Published: May 2022

This study examined the major barriers to women empowerment in agriculture in rural farming areas in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 100 women farmers and primary data was collected with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data and the findings are presented in table and chart. The study revealed that the inability to access formal credit (x̄ = 4.61), heavy domestic workload (x̄ = 4.36), and poor pricing of produce (x̄ = 3.89) are major barriers to women empowerment in agriculture in the study area. Therefore, providing access to formal credit facilities, provision of labour-saving technologies, and regulation of agricultural produce prices will enable women’s empowerment in agriculture.
Rural farmers’ readiness to access information from the National Farmers Helpline Centre, National Agriculture Extension and Research Liaison Services ABU Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Bashir Mohammed Bawuro , Augustine Anthony Ndaghu , Faruk Aliyu Umar , Abubakar Jamila Abdulkadir , Kyaru Mark Tikwe , Peter Ishaya
Published: May 2022

The study investigated rural farmers’ readiness to access agricultural information from the National Farmers Helpline Centre NAERLS, ABU Zaria. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of Nigerian rural farmers, identify the major agricultural information accessed by rural farmers from the National Farmers Helpline Centre and identify the various constraints faced by Nigerian rural farmers in accessing agricultural information from the National Farmers Helpline Centre. A random sampling technique was employed to select one thousand six hundred (1600) rural farmers across the six agro ecological zones from the National Farmers’ Helpline Centre Database who usually call the Farmers’ Help Line Centre of NAERLS, ABU Zaria. Percentage, and mean were used to analyse data. It was revealed that 61.2% who frequently accessed information from the National Farmers Helpline were male farmers belonging to the age group of 41 years and above (46.4%), married (75.6%) and having a household size of 6 – 10 persons (51.1%), with at least 11 – 30 years of farming experience. Thus, 45.6% of the respondents were involved in crop production while 37.5% were into animal husbandry, with the majority of them (46.9%) having acquired no form of formal education. Furthermore, the findings showed that the National Farmers Helpline Centre supplies the rural farmers with information on cultural practices (69.0%), pest and disease management (50.0%), weed management strategies (73.9%), marketing strategies (72.4%), farm tools and machineries (65.0%), seeds varieties and selection (88.9%) and information on government policies (89.0%). It was clearly identified that rural farmers are personally, infrastructural, resourcefully, mentally and managerially ready to access agricultural information from the National Farmers Helpline Centre. Rural and urban farmers should be committed in accessing the readily available agricultural information for a productive and sustainable agricultural productivity, likewise, reliable means of information dissemination should be adopted by the National Farmers Helpline Centre so as to ensure that both rural and rural farmers benefit from the numerous agricultural information available.
Enterprise training needs of poultry farmers during Covid-19 pandemic in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Ohagwu Violet. A. , Onwubuya Elizabeth A. , Nwobodo Cynthia E.
Published: May 2022

The study investigated the enterprise training needs of poultry farmers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Enugu State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select one hundred and eight (108) respondents from the six agricultural zones in the State. Data were collected using semi-structured interview schedule and analyzed using Percentages and mean score. Findings indicated that (100.0%) of the respondents produced live chicken alone, 88% indicated that they never had any visits from extension agents before and during COVID_19 Pandemic. Also, results revealed that the cost of feeds increased by 88% during the Pandemic. In addition, the major constraints faced by the respondents during pandemic were; scarcity of trained labour (x̄ =3.76), theft (x̄ =3.63), rotting of eggs (x̄ =3.55) and shortage of feeds (x̄ =3.52). The study revealed that farmers needed trainings in the areas of flow of funds (98.1%) and feed formulations (73.1%) during COVID-19 Pandemic. Extension should therefore provide training for farmers on how to access fund during emergencies. Also, farmers should be trained on feed formulation so that they can be able to produce the feed they need during emergencies like COVID-19 Pandemic. Government should make available agricultural grants to farmers which will enable them bounce back especially during emergencies.
Adaptation strategies to land grabbing among agri-preneurs in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Yusuf-Oshoala M.A. , Okeowo T.A. , Orowole P.F. , Adebayo C.O. , Umunnah M.O. , Agbajuni O.M.
Published: May 2022

The study identified adaptation strategies to land grabbing among agri-preneurs using three stage sampling technique. First was purposive selection of Ibeju-Lekki and Ikorodu Local Governments. Second stage was selection of communities mostly affected by land grabbing activities; third stage involved use of representative sampling technique to select sixty respondents. Data collected through interview schedule were analyzed using percentage and chi-square. Results showed that increased urbanization 48.3% accounted for major cause of land grabbing. Building and construction was used by 60% of the respondents as the most effective preventive measure. The majority (83.3%) of the respondents used change in farming system as their coping strategies. A significant relationship existed between education status and coping strategies (X2= 11.7). Land grabbing is gradually driving agricultural production into extinction in Ibeju-Lekki and Ikorodu Local Government Areas mostly known for agricultural production. Equipping farmers with adequate knowledge on different farming system such as mixed cropping, mixed farming and integrated farming system. Extension services should be geared towards giving farmers technical advice and information on how to effectively use the little land at their disposal and Government should assist farmers by ensuring strict adherence to formulated policy on land grab matters.
Rural households’ attitude to diversification into non-farm enterprises in Katsina State, Nigeria
Authors: Yakubu Danlami Haruna , Musa Nasiru , Abubakar Bello Zaki , Jabo Muhammad Sani Muhammad
Published: May 2022

The study investigated the rural households’ attitude to diversification into non-farm enterprises in Katsina State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 256 farmers for the study. Data were obtained with the aid of questionnaire and analyzed using percentage and regression analysis. The most positive attitude was “that non-farm enterprise is a crucial pathway to food security for rural households”. It was closely followed by “non-farm enterprise is a source of agricultural household savings used for food purchase in hard times” and “non-farm enterprise provides a means to cope or survive when farming fails”. Farmers expressed positive attitude to diversification into non-farm enterprises and do not depend on agriculture as a sole means of livelihood but diversified income sources; the diversified farmers had higher income level. Government should support the existing non-farm enterprises and encourage creation of new ones; also improve formal credit access. Furthermore, technical support and skills acquisition training programs should be provided to enhance the performance and efficiency of non-farm enterprises in rural areas.
COVID-19 pandemic: Implication on Nigeria agriculture and role of extension
Authors: Undiandeye U.C. , Ayi N.A.
Published: May 2022

The paper focused on COVID-19 pandemic, its implication on the Nigeria agriculture and the role of extension. The review uncovered a subtle but undeniable negative impact on all the value chain of the Nigeria agriculture. One of the most important factors that may avert this negative impact is agricultural extension service. With lockdown, travel ban and social distancing, the way out becomes technology. Government and institutions at all levels should intentionally deploy technology tools to aid effective agricultural extension service to farmers.
Availability and utilization of digital marketing tools among fresh African catfish marketers in Omambala Region of Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwoye Ifeanyi Innocent , Onubogu Onyinyechukwu Hope , Uzochukwu Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Published: May 2022

This study examined the availability and utilization of digital marketing tools among fresh African catfish marketers in Omambala region of Anambra State, Nigeria. Frequency count, percentage, mean score and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data collected from 120 respondents. Social media marketing (84.2%), video/YouTube marketing (79.2%), websites (71.7%) and mobile applications (55.0%) were the digital marketing tools available to them in the study area. Perceived benefits of digital marketing included easy access to unlimited geographical location and information, its less expensive nature, convenient store hours, and increased customer base, sales, and profit. Level of utilization of digital marketing tools amongst the fresh African catfish marketers showed that there were high levels of utilization of social media marketing, video/YouTube marketing, Mobile applications, and websites, with social media marketing being the most utilized. High cost of mobile phones and laptops, inadequate operating capital, poor power supply, computer literacy, huge advertisement and internet subscription cost, limited access to internet, and lack of awareness were the identified constraints to the marketers’ utilization of digital marketing strategies. Age of the marketers had negative effect on their level of utilization of digital marketing tools, while educational qualification, marketing experience and availability of fund had positive effect on the marketer’s level of utilization of digital marketing tools. Fresh African catfish marketing is a source of livelihood in the study area and the marketers utilize some digital marketing tools. Fresh African catfish marketers be given financial support, and more awareness created on other digital marketing tools for increased income and livelihood.
Food vendors and school management compliance to home grown school feeding programme implementation module in Osun State, Nigeria
Authors: Thomas K.A. , Nwokocha J.C.
Published: May 2022

Compliance to National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme’s (NHGSFP) implementation module among food vendors and schoolmanagement in Osun State was investigated. Four stage sampling procedure was used to select 144 respondents. Interview schedule was used to gather data from respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation). The mean household size was 5 ( x̄ = 5±2). All the food vendors and 76.4% of theschool management were female with mean age of 36 and 39 ( x̄ = 36±5 and x̄ = 39±8), respectively. Vendors (65.3%) and school management (58.3%)had high knowledge of NHGSFP, while 52.8% of food vendors and 50.0% of the school management had favourable attitude towards NHGSFP. The major constraints were inadequate funding ( x̄ = 2.34) and untimely payment( x̄ = 1.74) and ranking 1st and 2nd, respectively. However, taking food home (2.10) was the major sharp practice reported. More than half (51.4%) of the respondents complied with NHGSFP implementation module. Food vendors’ (r=0.268) and school managements’ attitude towards NHGSFP (r = 0.241) were significantly related with compliance to NHGSFP implementation module. Compliance to NHGSFP implementation module was moderately high (55.6%). Sharp practices by both food vendors (r= -0.461) and managements (r = -0.439) were negatively significant to compliance. The compliance level observed was not very high enough for sustainability of the programme due to the various sharp practices and constraints faced by the programme. Hence, better modalities against sharp practices should be put in place as well as proper orientation of key actors in the programme.
Analysis of short-term quality of life in post-surgical androgen deprivation therapy in advanced prostate cancer: a comparison of bilateral sub-capsular orchidectomy and bilateral total orchidectomy
Authors: Arogundade A.K. , Ajape A. A. , Popoola A. A. , Abiola O. O. , Biliaminu S. A.
Published: May 2022

INTRODUCTION: The use of Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) in treating advanced prostate cancer poses a host of challenges that can affect the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of these patients. Previous studies have demonstrated poor quality of life (QoL) of patients after ADT; however, there is a scarcity of the literature which compares HRQoL following bilateral subcapsular orchidectomy (BSCO) and bilateral total orchidectomy (BTO) in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to compare the HRQoL of patients with advanced prostate cancer following treatment with BSCO and BTO.METHODS: A randomized, single blind study concerning 64 patients with advanced prostate cancer; the subjects were randomized into BTO and BSCO treatment groups. The study was conducted over a period of ten months at a tertiary hospital situated in the North-central zone of Nigeria. Structured and validated instruments (FACT-PI and Karnofsky) were used to assess HRQoL during patient follow-up visits over a period of six months to obtain data regarding HRQoL and patient satisfaction. Statistical analysis using a chi-squared test and paired t-test were done to allow the comparison of HRQoL assessment scores and patients’ satisfaction ratings between the two groups.RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects were 71.63 ± 7.56 years and 70.06 ± 8.79 years for the BTO and BSCO group respectively (p = 0.449). Also, mean Gleason’s score was 7.44 vs. 7.31 respectively (p =0.714). Health Related QoL assessment with FACT-PI and Karnofsky showed significantly better outcome after BSCO (p < 0.001). Only 17% of the participants had psychological compromise after ADT.CONCLUSION: The two techniques of orchidectomy differ significantly in their short term QoL response to treatment; BSCO was associated with better patient outcomes compared to BTO.
Giyilebilir Teknoloji Bedenleşme Ölçeğini Türkçeye Uyarlama ve Geçerlik Çalışması
Authors: Subakan Yağmur , Koç Mustafa
Published: May 2022

Giyilebilir teknolojiler konusunda ulusal alanyazındaki çalışmalar oldukça kısıtlı olmakla birlikte kullanılabilecek ölçme araçları henüz gelişmektedir. Bu çalışmada Nelson vd. (2019) tarafından geliştirilen Giyilebilir Teknoloji Bedenleşme Ölçeğini (GTBÖ) Türkçeye uyarlama ve geçerlik çalışması yapılarak ulusal alanyazına kazandırmak amaçlanmıştır. Bir diğer amaç ise çalışma grubunun giyilebilir teknoloji bedenleşme algı düzeylerini belirlemek ve demografik değişkenlerle ilişkisini ortaya çıkarmaktır. GTBÖ’nün dilsel eşdeğerliği için çeviri-geri çeviri süreci gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ardından orijinal ve Türkçe 27 kişiye uygulanmış ve korelasyon analizi yapılmıştır. Oluşturulan anket formu 558 kişiye uygulanmıştır. Açımlayıcı ve doğrulayıcı faktör analizleri ve güvenirlik analizleri GTBÖ’nün Türk katılımcılar içinde geçerli ve güvenilir ölçümler sağlayacağını göstermiştir. Katılımcıların giyilebilir teknolojiye yönelik bedenleşme algısında kararsız oldukları görülmüştür. Ölçeğin zihinsel uzantı boyutunda eğitim durumuna göre ilköğretim mezunları lehine farklılık tespit edilmişken cinsiyete ve mesleğe göre bir farklılık bulunamamıştır. Bedenleşme algısı ile yaş arasında anlamlı bir ilişki tespit edilememiştir. Bedensel-özsel uzantı boyutunda giyilebilir teknoloji kullanım durumuna göre kullananların lehine anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur.
İlkokullarda Yetiştirme Programı’nın (İYEP) Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Özdoğru Mehmet
Published: May 2022

Bu araştırmanın amacı;  İlkokullarda Yetiştirme Programı’nın (İYEP)  eğitime katkılarını ve uygulama sürecinde karşılaşılan sorunları,  programda görev alan öğretmenlerin görüşleri doğrultusunda belirlemektir. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden durum çalışması deseninin kullanıldığı araştırmanın çalışma grubunu 2018-2019 eğitim ve öğretim yılında Eskişehir Odunpazarı ilçesinde ilkokullarda görev yapan 20 öğretmen oluşturmaktadır. Yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşme formunun kullanıldığı araştırmada verilerin çözümlenmesinde içerik analizi tekniği kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucuna göre öğretmenler ilkokullarda yetiştirme programının olumlu fakat eksik tarafları olduğu yönünde görüş belirtmiştir. Programın eğitim-öğretime katkısına ilişkin öğretmenlerin tamamına yakını akademik başarıyı arttırdığı ve öğrencilere bireysel destek sağladığı düşüncesindedir. Bununla birlikte programa dahil olan öğrencilerin derse katılımının arttığı, programın ders performansını, motivasyon düzeyini ve özgüveni arttırmada olumlu katkılarının olduğu, öğrencilerde kaygının azalmasına neden olduğu, fırsat ve imkân eşitliği sağlamada katkısının olduğu öğretmenlerin ifadelerinden anlaşılmaktadır. Programda görülen başlıca sorunlar; modüllere ayrılan sürelerin yetersiz olması, öğrencinin programa katılımının veli isteğine bırakılması, devamsızlığın fazla olması, programda görev alanlara ödenen ücretin düşüklüğü ve programın 3. sınıflardan itibaren başlamasının geç olması olarak ifade edilmiştir.
The Effect of an Instructional Intervention Based on the Use of Video-Worked Examples to Promote Elementary Students’ Science Process Skills
Authors: Solé-Llussà Anna , Aguilar David , Ibáñez Manel
Published: May 2022

Several reforms in national and international curricula have been implemented to introduce inquiry-based activities to promote different science process skills. Science skills require high cognitive effort for students and, thus, they need supports to develop them in an inquiry process. Among these supports, video-worked examples demonstrate how to perform these skills and provide students with a scheme for an inquiry activity. Recently, video-examples has been explored in primary and secondary education with promising results. However, to gain a broader perspective on their effectiveness, this article aims to evaluate the consistent improvement of each science skill from a comparison with a control group carrying out two consecutive classroom interventions. This research included 44 students in fifth and sixth grades and a quasi-experimental research design with a quantitative method has been applied. In the experimental group, video examples had a positive influence on the participants’ inquiry behavior. For most of the science skills, students showed a consistent improvement in both the first and second inquiries supported by these videos. However, the control group showed less predictable outcomes, as some skills improved only during the first or the second intervention, but not throughout the whole study.
Identifying Preservice Teachers’ Concept-based and Procedure-based Error patterns in Multiplying and Dividing Decimals
Authors: Joung Eunmi , Kim Young Rae
Published: May 2022

The purposes of this study are to report current Preservice Teachers’ (PTs) decimal abilities regarding the types of error patterns that they commit and to analyze characteristics of the errors in the problems posed for multiplication and division in decimals. We have determined common concept- and procedure-based errors made by the PTs. 37 PTs in the USA were asked to complete two decimal multiplication problems and two decimal division problems. Results indicated that four major types of error patterns could be detected: Misunderstanding of the place value, misunderstanding of mathematical equivalence, arithmetic errors, and reversing the positions of divisor and dividend. PTs were more likely to have concept- than procedure-based errors. This indicates that PTs may have limited knowledge on the definition of decimals and the meaning of mathematical equivalence, as well as a lack of understanding of place value. Consequently, we believe that the learning of the concept of decimals requires conceptual change. The concept-based errors found intersect with those of students in primary school, so this helps Teacher Education programs in ways that promote PTs’ mathematical understanding of decimal operations on a conceptual basis to prevent their future students from making errors.
Development of a Lower Passing Model for Volleyball Based Umbrella Learning Approach
Authors: Endriani Dewi , Sitompul Harun , Mursid R , Dewi Rahma
Published: May 2022

The research aimed to develop a volleyball lower passing model based on an umbrella learning approach. The method used was research and development. This study was conducted in small-scale and large-scale trials. There were performance tests, written tests, and questionnaires to determine the effectiveness of models developed against students' cognitive, psychomotor, and affective abilities. The study subjects used were 20 respondents for small-scale trials and 40 respondents for large-scale trials at the Faculty of Sport Science. The results of the effectiveness test model in the small group test obtained psychomotor 0.75, cognitive results of 0.73 with a high category obtained with n-gain and affective analysis were assessed with a Guttman scale of 84.37% and belonged to the high category. The results of large-scale psychomotor trials of 0.74, cognitive results of 0.76 high categories obtained with n-gain and affective analysis were assessed with a Guttman scale of 87.57% and belonged to the high category. Based on expert assessments of learning, small-scale trials, and large-scale trials, this umbrella learning model is declared effective in improving students' cognitive, psychomotor, and affective abilities in the Faculty of Sport Science.