Jozac Publishers [JP] (former JFP Publishers) (E-Journals)
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Family influence in career decisions of students: The moderating roles of gender and age
Full text linkWhen students are thinking about their future careers, they are thinking about their values, interests, and abilities. These variables may have been influenced by their surroundings or by myths that have been propagated about particular professions. It is crucial to remember that maturity impacts teenagers’ choice of vacation. A person\u27s choice of career clearly affects the courses they will take in secondary and postsecondary education. Naturally, a variety of factors might affect students\u27 decisions about their careers, particularly those who are in senior high school. Personality, cultural backgrounds, social and economic circumstances, gender roles, and the financial element of a career are a few of these variables. This study looked at how senior high school students\u27 job decisions are predicted by their families. The study used the quantitative research methodology, and 311 students\u27 cross-sectional data was gathered via questionnaires based on the positivist paradigm. The available population consisted of students of senior high school (SHS) in the Cape Coast Metropolis Central region Ghana; the sample was selected by simple random sampling procedure. According to the findings, career decision was predicted by family. The association between career decisions and family influence was not mediated by gender or age. It was determined that SHS students\u27 career decisions are positively influenced by their families. It was advised that guardians and parents should support their wards in following career options that align with their interests and goals
Self-efficacy belief and classroom management: How Senior High School Social Studies teachers navigate through the challenges of overcrowded classrooms to facilitate effective teaching and learning
Full text linkThe rapid expansion of access to education, particularly at the secondary level, has often outpaced the provision of adequate infrastructure and human resources to support the growing student population. The increase in enrolment has contradicted the teacher-to-student ratio of 1:40 by the Ghana Education Service behavioural model approach highlighting the need for improving access through the availability of learning infrastructures and classroom space to facilitate effective instruction. The inadequacy of educational resources has resulted in overcrowded classrooms, overworked teachers, lack of essential learning materials, decreasing students\u27 motivation to learn, and hindering individualized attention to students leading to a deficit in the delivery of quality education. As a result, the purpose of this study was to explore how the self-efficacy belief of senior high school Social Studies teachers can be used to mitigate the constraints of teaching a large class size. A cross-sectional survey methodology was used to enable researchers to collect data from a diverse sample of participants at a single point in time. A convenience sample was used to sample 437 SHS Social Studies teachers. The main data collection instrument was a close-ended questionnaire, and the data were collected using a combo collection kit. The analysis of the quantitative data involved using frequencies, percentages, and multiple linear regression. The study revealed that large class sizes caused noise and disruptive behaviour and hindered student participation, where senior high school teachers are forced to adapt lecture techniques that inhibit the conduct of assessment for and as learning and prompt feedback. The consequences are detrimental to students\u27 learning outcomes as students need personalized attention and feedback to stay engaged and motivated in the classroom. Senior High School Social Studies teacher\u27s self-efficacy beliefs significantly mitigate the challenges of large class sizes. This emphasizes the need for respondents to develop a positive mindset to enable them to respond positively to the constraints of large class sizes through the use of innovative strategies intended to stimulate student engagement and active participation in lessons
The dynamics of (in) tolerance in some African multi-religious and multi-cultural contexts
Full text linkIndigenous religion was the lone practiced belief system before the emergence of Christianity and Islam. The three principal religions recognized within the Cameroonian and Nigerian contexts are Indigenous religion, Christianity, and Islam. The conflicting cohabitation, manifestations, and differences of these religions have resulted in intolerance, insecurity, confusion, manipulation, unrest, and violence since the tolerance extent has become minimal, deceptive, manipulative, and unbearable. This study aims to examine the signification and preoccupations of Indigenous religion, Islam, and Christianity. The paper also seeks to uncover the similarities and differences that characterize various religions and their impacts on the daily lives of Cameroonians and Nigerians. It equally analyzes the pivotal role of religious texts in enhancing tolerance among existing religions. This paper adopted primary sources like the Bible and Qur’an, including secondary sources such as books, articles, and internet sources. The study reveals that, despite the diverse and differing natures of the various religions, there are unifying factors that facilitate pacific coexistence. The existing religions have a common goal, though they take diverse paths to achieve their finality. The act of tolerating other religious faiths that differ from one’s own, promotes security, peace, understanding, empathy, and national integration. The paper concludes that, the similarities, if well researched and taken into account, can contribute immensely to guarantee and intensify tolerance, and mutual understanding, as well as a peaceful coexistence for both current and future generations. Consequently, on no account should any religion consider itself superior to others
Olùkùmi polar question derivation: A complex linguistic inquiry
Full text linkThis study investigates polar questions in Olùkùmi, an island dialect of Yorùbá. Clauses have unique peculiarities that distinguish one clause type from another in every language. This informs why a question construction can be differentiated from any other construction type. Question construction is of various types one of which is the polar question that is the focus of this paper. A polar question is the question type that expects affirmation or rejection. Studies on Olùkùmi have paid little attention to question types. Hence, this study aims to fill this gap in language documentation by illustrating the derivation, projection, and possible responses to polar questions in Olùkùmi. This study adopts a qualitative method, and the frame technique is used for data collection to get relevant structural samples from competent native speakers in the Ugbódù community, Delta state, Nigeria. Chomsky’s Minimalist Program is adopted as the theoretical framework. Findings show that Olùkùmi uses a high-low tone morph under the special intonation pattern which takes the last vocalic anchor of an affirmative construction as a polar particle. The particle surfaces sentence finally changes the status of a declarative construction to a polar construction. Also, It was discovered that polar question derivation in Olùkùmi has a limited overt particle/marker and its response could either be hẹ́hẹ̀hẹ́/báà ni ‘’Yes/It is so’’ or hẹ́hẹ̀/ é è ghò báà ‘‘No/ It is not so’’. This study has shown that the form and derivation pattern of the Olùkùmi polar question is different from standard Yorùbá
Between reality and perceived reality: A study of mediated culture in Ukwata festival
Full text linkAn important cultural occasion that highlights the rich tradition of Abbi people in Ndokwa-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria is the Ukwata Festival. However, how the festival is portrayed in the media has sparked debate about how reality and perception relate to one another. This study aims to investigate how people move between perceived and actual reality by looking at how traditional festival rituals are mediated and portrayed in modern culture. It investigates the relationship between perceived and actual reality within the framework of mediated culture. The study employs a qualitative research approach, using a combination of historical-analytic, key-person interview (KPI), observation and documentary analysis methods, to gather data to examine how festival attendees\u27 perceptions of reality and reality itself are shaped by mediated culture. The study reveals that Ukwata has significant cultural and symbolic relevance since it captures the customs and values of the populace and helps in fostering the growth of their sense of self through the festival\u27s cultural activities. The research highlights some of the ways in which participants move between the real world and the imaginary world by examining the festival\u27s performances, customs, and symbols. The results indicate that cultural identity, customs, perception and transmission of cultural values can all be influenced by media depiction. The study concludes that the experience and interpretation of traditional performances, such as the Ukwata of the Abbi people of Delta state, Nigeria, are significantly shaped by mediated culture
Work engagement factors and their relationships with job performance among personnel of the Nigerian security agencies
Full text linkThis study examined work engagement factors (role clarity, personal growth initiative, perceived job fit) and their relationships with job performance among personnel of the Nigeria security agencies in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 314 security officers, comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were selected through purposive sampling. The participants\u27 ages ranged from 22 to 50 years, with a mean age of 35.4 years. The instruments used to gather data were the Short Version of the Self-Assessment Scale of Job Performance, the Role Clarity Scale, the Personal Growth Initiative Scale, and the Person-Job Fit Scale. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that role clarity significantly predicted job performance (β = .42; p < .05), while personal growth initiative also had a significant positive impact on job performance (β = .35; p < .05). Additionally, perceived job fit was found to significantly influence job performance (β = .33; p < .05). The study concluded that role clarity, personal growth initiative, and perceived job fit are significant predictors of job performance among personnel of the Nigerian security agencies. It is recommended that security organizations adopt a comprehensive approach to personnel management which should integrate clear job roles, opportunities for personal growth, and aligning job roles with personnel’s skills and interests
Moringa oleifera-derived copper oxide nanoparticles against plasmodium resistance
Full text linkThe emergence of antimalarial drug resistance in Plasmodium species has necessitated the investigation of novel therapeutic interventions. This study reports the biosynthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) mediated by Moringa oleifera (MO) stem bark and root extracts, designated as CuONPmose and CuONPmore, respectively. Comprehensive characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles was conducted using multiple analytical techniques: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). UV-Visible spectroscopic analysis revealed characteristic absorption maxima at 320 nm and 300 nm for the respective nanomaterials, confirming successful nanoparticle formation. FTIR spectroscopic analysis demonstrated Cu-O interactions at 678 cm−1, while the presence of carbonyl moieties at 1684 cm−1 indicated the involvement of plant-derived compounds as capping agents. Morphological examination via SEM revealed non-aggregated, spongy surface characteristics for both CuO-NPs. XRD and EDX analyses confirmed the formation of highly pure, crystalline nanostructures with average crystallite sizes of 12.46 nm and 10.66 nm for CuONPmose and CuONPmore, respectively. In vivo assessment of anti-plasmodial efficacy demonstrated moderate inhibitory activity against P. berghei proliferation. The synthesized CuO-NPs exhibited superior parasitemia suppression compared to the crude M. oleifera stem bark and root extracts, suggesting enhanced therapeutic potential of the nanoformulations
Phytochemical screening with a Bioassay-Guided Toxicity and in Vivo Antimalarial Evaluation of Cleome gynandra Ethyl Acetate extract
Full text linkThe growing resistance to conventional antimalarial drugs necessitates the search for alternative therapies from natural sources. This study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial efficacy and toxicity profile of Cleome gynandra extracts, with emphasis on the ethyl acetate fraction. The aerial parts of C. gynandra were extracted sequentially using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The resulting extracts were screened for phytochemicals using standard methods and assessed for toxicity and in vivo antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss albino mice. Toxicity was evaluated based on weight change, behavioral signs, and mean survival time (MST). Antimalarial activity was measured using parasitemia reduction. Among the three extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated the highest safety margin and antimalarial efficacy, particularly at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glucosides, phenols, and terpenoids. Treated mice exhibited significant reductions in parasitemia and prolonged survival times without signs of acute toxicity. The ethyl acetate extract of Cleome gynandra possesses potent antimalarial activity and favorable safety in vivo, supporting its traditional use and potential development as a natural antimalarial agent
Awareness of an autonomous “Ikinyanshinga” in Kinyarwanda
Full text linkAn autonomous “ikinyanshinga” has been revealed before by some researchers, and it is among the word categories in the Kinyarwanda language grammar. Scholars have described language patterns in Kinyarwanda, however, they still have not explored much more about the confusion that mostly arises between autonomous and some other parts of speech. this marks the objective of this study. To tie this break, this study applies Saussure\u27s structuralism theory to identify the criteria based on when classifying words in Kinyarwanda. A purposive sampling technique was adopted, and convenience sampling was used for the online questionnaire. By using a comparative analysis with diverse reading materials and findings from respondents, this study exposes deep insights into autonomous misunderstanding and confusion with a conjugated verb. Accordingly, this study made us take time and discover all about this word class in Kinyarwanda, while addressing the question of word class formation in Kinyarwanda grammar, and determining the conditions that allow a given word to be put in any word class or part of speech. Recommendations were given to the language development and language planification, for the purpose of facilitating a holistic understanding of the Kinyarwanda language to fill a critical space in Kinyarwanda grammar analysis
Improving rice disease diagnosis with a deep learning approach using a CNN trained from scratch
Full text linkRice is a crucial staple food that sustains millions of people globally; however, its productivity is continuously threatened by various diseases. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision have emerged as powerful tools for improving the diagnosis and classification of crop diseases, thereby reducing reliance on manual inspection. Despite their success, transfer learning (TL) models based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have faced challenges when dealing with limited datasets or closely related image classes. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a CNN model trained from scratch for the classification of rice diseases and to compare its performance with two popular transfer learning models, VGG16 and InceptionV3. A CNN architecture comprising 22 layers was designed and trained using a dataset containing images of eight distinct rice disease classes. The model’s performance was compared to that of the transfer learning models under identical experimental conditions, using accuracy and F1-score as key performance metrics. The proposed CNN model demonstrated superior classification performance, achieving an accuracy of 95%, which significantly outperformed InceptionV3 (73%) and VGG16 (71%). Additionally, the CNN model recorded higher F1-scores across all classes (ranging from 0.91 to 0.99) compared to the TL models (ranging from 0.59 to 0.87). The results confirmed that a CNN model trained from scratch could outperform traditional transfer learning models in rice disease classification, particularly when sufficient data was available. These findings highlighted the potential of custom-built CNN architectures in enhancing disease diagnosis accuracy and suggested further improvements with expanded datasets and additional training