Nnamdi Azikiwe University Journals
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The Use of Common Ground as a Politeness Strategy among Traders of Tudun Wada Super Store, Gusau Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Nigeria
No full textSpeech acts and gestures reflect a transaction process interaction between sellers and buyers. Speech events in traditional markets can cause inconveniences such as the expression of anger, pressure, anxiety, or an insult, which can occur during the bargaining process. It is against this background that this study examines how traders in Super Stores of Tudun Wada in Gusau metropolis use common grounds as politeness strategies for business purposes. The theoretical framework of this study is Politeness Theory developed by Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson while the methodology adopted is both qualitative and descriptive research. The research data come from traders of Tudun Wada Super Store in Gusau. The data were gathered through observation method which required skilled recording techniques. The researchers transcribed the recorded audio and classified it according to the data card. Matching method was used for data analysis, in which the researchers relate the data to the context of the utterance event. The researchers used Miles and Huberman\u27s (2009) stages of qualitative analysis to analyze the data. The finding of this study reveals that the socio-cognitive approach eliminates the conflicts between the pragmatic and cognitive approaches to common ground by integrating them into a holistic picture that offers an emergence-through-use view of common ground.The study, therefore, concludes that communication is an intentional action that is usually attended by adequate and sufficient resources on the basis of common socio-cultural background with the aid of common ground
Perception and Knowledge Level of Yam Farmers on COVID-19 Pandemic in Taraba State, Nigeria
No full textThe main objective of the study was to determine the perception and knowledge of yam farmers on COVID-19 pandemic in Taraba State. A total of 120 respondents were purposively selected from 8 village communities of 4 local government areas of the state. The local government areas were: Wukari, Ibbi, Yorro and Zing. Data were collected on perception of farmers on COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge of yam farmers on COVID-19 disease and farmers source of information on COVID-19 pandemic. Data collected were presented using frequency and percentages, mean score and standard deviation. The result of the analysis revealed that the respondents perceived that COVID-19 pandemic poses danger to livelihood (=3.79), COVID-19 pandemic exists (=3.54), COVID-19 pandemic is contagious (=3.48) and COVID-19 pandemic brought health complications to farmers (=3.47). Respondents had good knowledge of COVID-19 pandemic as the majority (76.7%) know that maintaining social distance can prevent COVID-19 infection, about 76% were aware that COVID-19 is a contagious disease and 74.2% were knowledgeable that hand washing with soap on a regular basis can help to prevent COVID-19 infection. Respondents had multiple sources of information on COVID-19 pandemic as all (100%) of the farmers cited radio as a source of their information on COVID-19 pandemic, 90.8% rely on family members and 90% rely on friends as a source of their information on COVID-19 pandemic. It was recommended that government should establishing institutional frameworks, policies and procedures for pandemic preparedness and response
Evaluation of Liver Biochemical Changes among Arc Welders in Enugu Metropolis
No full textArc welding produces oxide dusts and fumes of Cadmium (Cd), and other heavy metals in the cause of their unregulated activities; and are exposed to these fumes either through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. This study aims to determine the blood Cd levels and their effects on liver Biomarkers among Arc welders in Enugu. Blood samples were collected from arc welders who were all males (n = 50), with age ranging from 18 - 65 years, also from control group (n = 50) with age range of 18-65 years. 5ml of blood was dispensed into plain tubes for biochemical markers assay respectively. Serum for Biochemical assays was stored frozen at -20oC pending analysis. Analysis was performed using standard methods. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 22 and student t-test to compare means between control and study groups. Statistically high levels of serum cadmium and liver makers were seen among exposed participants when compared to the non exposed (control group); Cd [0.0111 ± 0.0046, 0.0074 ± 0.0058; p< 0.05], ALT [18.27 ± 8.8, 16.80 ± 5.9; P< 0.05], AST [23.41 ± 7.6, 19.50 ± 3.4; p< 0.05], ALP [86.92 ± 29.2, 76.90 ± 18.11; p< 0.05]. No relationship between serum cadmium and liver biomakers were observed Cd and ALT (r = 0.112; p=0.450), Cd and AST (r = 0.086; p=0.561), Cd and ALP (r = 0.185; p=0.208). We therefore conclude that exposure to heavy metals like cadmium indicate higher absorption of these metals among welders which directly can impair liver function, Regular monitoring of these heavy metals’ levels, liver function tests among occupationally exposed individuals is strongly advocated
COPOLYMERIZATION OF DIMETHYLOL UREA WITH HYDROXYLATED WATERMELON SEED OIL AS BINDER FOR EMULSION PAINT FORMULATION
No full textWatermelon Seed Oil was extracted, epoxidized and hydroxylated. Hydroxylated Watermelon Seed Oil (HWSO) was blended with Dimethylol Urea (DMU) in different ratio of 10 to 60% of hydroxylated oil, to develop DMU/HWSO copolymer binder for emulsion paint formulation. FT-IR analysis of copolymer resin (DMU/HWSO) showed chemical interaction between DMU and HWSO. Some physical properties of the copolymer resin such as viscosity, gel time, density, melting point, refractive index, moisture uptake, elongation at break and water solubility were determined. The results from studies indicate that viscosity, refractive index, gel time and elongation at break increases with increase in HWSO concentration in DMU/HWSO copolymer composite. However, density, melting point, water solubility and moisture uptake decreases with HWSO concentration in the composite. The results of the physic-chemical properties point to the fact that the traditional problems associated with DMU (formaldehyde emission, hardness and poor water resistance) can be addressed or reduced by DMU/HWSO blend
Effect of processing techniques on the quality and cyanogenic glycoside content of fermented cassava flours
No full textCassava root (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is highly perishable and contains toxic compounds, necessitating processing and preservation to ensure safe consumption and the production of shelf-stable, value-added products. This study evaluated the effect of various processing techniques on the quality of fermented cassava flour (known as lafun in South-Western Nigeria). Cassava roots (TME 419) were processed using grated solid-state fermentation (GSSF), sliced-soaked fermentation (SSMF), and parboiled-soaked fermentation (PSMF), with products dried in a parabolic solar dryer. Flour quality was assessed based on proximate composition, cyanide content, functional properties, and pasting properties. Moisture content ranged from 11.17% - 12.86%, with the lowest in PSMF. Crude fat, protein, crude fibre, and carbohydrate contents varied from 1.17% - 2.65%, 6.16% - 7.42%, 0.41% - 0.55%, and 69.92% - 74.85%, respectively. Cyanide concentrations ranged from 1.720 - 1.780 mg/kg, indicating a 92.11% - 92.37% reduction from fresh cassava roots (22.55 mg HCN/kg). Water and oil absorption capacities ranged from 212.57% - 246.93% and 59.96% - 65.17%, respectively, with PSMF significantly higher. PSMF exhibited the highest swelling power (225.07%) and lowest water solubility (39.46%), along with the highest filling weight (0.785 g/cm³). Pasting temperature and peak time ranged from 75.48°C - 93.58°C and 4.53 - 6.97 min, with PSMF having the highest values. These results suggest that PSMF is the most effective method for producing high-quality fermented cassava flour
Effect of dietary inclusion of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the intestinal parasite and egg quality characteristics of Quails
No full textThe problem of antibiotic resistance in birds necessitates the search for alternatives. This study evaluated the effect of dietary inclusion of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the intestinal parasite infestation and egg-laying performance of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). Forty-five points of lay quails were randomly assigned to three treatments: T1 received 3g of turmeric per 1 liter of water, T2 received 1 tea spoon (4.2g) of dewormer (Bactro-expeller) per 3 liters of water, and T3 served as the control without any test ingredient. The experiment lasted for six weeks, with three replicates of five quails each. Egg quality parameters such as albumen height, egg weight, yolk index, and yolk width were significantly affected by the treatments (P<0.05). Analysis revealed the presence of intestinal parasites, with two cases of Strongyloides spp. in the turmeric-fed group and one case of Ascaridia spp. in the control. However, the dewormer-treated group showed no signs of intestinal parasites. The study concludes that turmeric inclusion in quail diets does not adversely affect egg performance and quality. However, it is ineffective in controlling Strongyloides spp. and should not be relied upon as a preventive or control measure for intestinal parasites. Instead, dewormers should be used, with strict adherence to dosage and withdrawal periods, by comparing turmeric-based diets with conventional worm expellers and evaluating their influence on quail egg production
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF SELF-HELP GUIDE FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES BY USERS IN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA
No full textThis study aimed at developing and validating a self-help guide for repair and maintenance of domestic electrical appliances by users in Taraba State. Three specific purposes, three research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. Research and Development design was adopted for the study. The population was 391 comprising 157 registered electrical/electronic certified technicians with at least Trade Test III certificate operating in Taraba State, 19 technical college teachers with majors in electrical/electronic education and 215 newly recruited apprentices under the National Directorate of Employment in Taraba State. Systematic sampling technique was used to draw 113 registered electrical/electronic certified technicians, all the 19 technical colleges teachers and two intact clusters of 26 and 23 NDE newly recruited apprentices were purposively selected. A 197 item researcher-developed instrument titled “Self-Help Guide for Repairs and Maintenance of Domestic Electrical Appliances Questionnaire” was used to elicit data for the study. The instrument was subjected to face and content validation by experts - Technical College teachers with specialization in electrical/electronics and three lecturers, one from Measurement and Evaluation unit of Educational Foundation and two from technology and vocational education (Electrical/electronics option from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka; subsequently to obtain the reliability coefficient, a trial test was conducted on the technicians registered with National Directorate of Employment, Taraba State. A reliability index of 0.88 was obtained using the Cronbach’s Alpha procedure. The instrument was administered and data were collected in-situ. The data obtained were analysed using mean values to answer the research questions while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed 167 practical tasks for inclusion in the self-help guide. The study also revealed that there was a significant difference in the performance of newly recruited NDE apprentices who used and those who did not use the self-help guide for practical repair and maintenance during the experiment. It was recommended that the self-help guide should be adopted for use by users of electrical appliances in homes to mitigate high cost of engaging professional repairers
Infopreneurship Skills of Academic Librarians in Libraries in Bauchi and Gombe States for Effective Information Marketing Services Delivery
Get PDFThe study investigated Infopreneurship programmes for Librarians in academic Libraries in Bauchi and Gombe States. The objectives of the study were: to determine infopreneurship skills for academic librarians in libraries in Bauchi and Gombe States, to identify various challenges associated with infopreneurship skills needed by academic librarians. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study’s population consisted of 118 academic librarians in Bauchi and Gombe States. Questionnaire was used for data collection for the study sample of 110 which was retrieved and found usable. The findings of the study revealed that most academic librarians indicated that infopreneurship provides opportunities for academic librarians to demonstrate capabilities for information marketing service delivery in the libraries. The study also showed that challenges associated with infopreneurship skills needed by academic librarians in Bauchi and Gombe States was still prominent among some academic librarians. The study concluded that librarian needed infopreneurship skills such as information marketing skills, information literacy skills, offered by infopreneurship provide opportunities for academic librarians to demonstrate capabilities for practical information service delivery in the libraries. It recommended that needs for librarians to demonstrate opportunities provided by infopreneurship to gain practical know-how in information service delivery in the libraries
CULTURE PRESERVATION THROUGH MUSIC IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY OF EHUME OBOWO COMMUNITY IN IMO STATE NIGERIA
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Every Nation, tribe and race have different cultures; and culture represents the way of life of a people. Culture is the many influences of a people in a community which had to do with their knowledge, character, social life and behaviour. It is also seen as the beliefs and customs and social organisations of a people. This means that every society represents a culture that defines who they are; such is the case with Ehume Obowo Community in Imo State. Culture is very important if the existence of the people will last, and as a result, the preservation of such culture therefore becomes very paramount. Studies have shown that preservation of anything good must start from the foundation; hence the culture of a people is best done through music in Early Childhood Education. This study investigated the importance of culture in the life of the people of Ehume Obowo and how it is preserved through Education in early childhood. This research adopted observation and literature study. And conclusions were drawn following the findings. The study showed that the culture of a people is their life and its preservation is of greater importance, and it is best preserved through music in early childhood education
EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AS A DETERMINANT OF RIGHT-SIZING IN TOURISM ORGANIZATINS IN IMO STATE NIGERIA
No full textThe study examines employee compensation and right-sizing in tourism organizations in Imo State Nigeria. The study was conducted to find out the relationship between base pay and right-sizing; benefits package and right sizing as well as bonuses and right-sizing in tourism organizations in Imo State Nigeria. The study was guided by three research questions and three hypotheses. The researchers used the Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory to show the relevance of the study. The survey resign design was used to handle the study. A structured questionnaire was the major instrument for data collection. The researcher employed the simple random probability sampling technique in the study. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to analyze data. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was employed in the testing of the hypotheses. The findings showed that base pay positively influenced right-sizing in tourism organizations; benefits package positively influenced rightsizing in tourism organizations and offer of bonus positively affected right-sizing in tourism organizations in Imo State. It was concluded that compensation enhanced right-sizing in tourism organizations in Imo State. The study recommends that management of various tourism organizations needs to not take the issue of right-sizing for granted hence workers need to be paid as at when due in tourism organizations; workers need to be made to enjoy fringe benefits in tourism organizations and bonuses need to be paid to deserving workers in tourism organizations in Imo State