Madonna University, Nigeria - Open Access Journal System
Not a member yet
230 research outputs found
Sort by
ANTISERA POTENTIAL OF INDIGENOUS NIGERIAN PLANT LECTINS: A REVIEW
No full textLectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins ubiquitous in nature, particularly abundant in plants. Indigenous Nigerian plants represent a vast untapped resource for novel lectins with diverse biological properties. This review explores the potential of these lectins as anti-sera agents. We will discuss the isolation, purification, and characterization of lectins from Nigerian plants. Additionally, we will explore the in vitro and in vivo studies evaluating their agglutination activity against various blood types. The review will highlight the advantages of utilizing indigenous lectins for therapeutic applications due to their potential specificity and reduced immunogenicity. Finally, we will address the challenges and future directions for research in this field, emphasizing the need for further exploration and development of these promising anti-sera agents from Nigeria's rich botanical heritage
A Discourse Study of Language used by Bus Drivers and Conductors in Anambra Metropolis
No full textWith the high rate of activities on the road, the study of language used by stakeholders of road transportation becomes of paramount interest .The study is set to ascertain the peculiar nature and choice of language use among bus drivers and conductors in Anambra metropolis. The study, therefore, explores the use of terms used by bus drivers and conductors within Anambra metropolis. This is with the view of using sociolinguistic measures to provide explanations regarding the use of such language. Data for the study were collected through unobtrusive observation method and unstructured interview. The observation and recording were done for a period of eight months. Such a long period was used to enable the researcher gather most if not all the words/expressions used by bus drivers and conductors in the different locations that served the sample. The work is guided by Halliday's Systemic Functional Theory which emphasizes the use of language in context. Data for the study were analyzed using a descriptive approach .The findings reveal that bus drivers and conductors in Anambra metropolis use words or concepts that are not only unique to them but also contributes to their free flow of expression and communication among them as a social group. It further reveals that their nature or choice of language in no small measure adds to enriching the lexicon of the languages used. Finally, the aesthetic function of the language usage cannot also be overlooked. Hence, the research concludes that the words used by the bus drivers and conductors in Anambra metropolis is unique. It clearly indicates that one belongs to a certain profession or association. Since the study serves as a veritable foundation for further interesting research, the study recommends that other researchers may take a pragmatic study of the same or similar topic
Work-Life Balance (WLB) and Employee Effectiveness of Listed Microfinance Banks in Nnewi Metropolis
No full textThis study investigated the effect of work-life balance practices on employee effectiveness in listed microfinance banks in Nnewi metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria. The study employed descriptive survey and correlation research design. The stratified sampling technique was employed to determine the sample frame. Structured questionnaire was used as primary instrument for data collection. Pilot study was carried out to obtain the reliability of the instrument through Cronbach Alpha Statistics value at 0.74%. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation. Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to test the hypotheses. It was discovered that work-life balance has positive and significant relationship with employees’ productivity in the listed Microfinance banks in Nnewi metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria. The study concluded that adoption of telecommuting, flexible working hour and job sharing practices improve workers’ productivity. The study recommended among others, that banking institutions as a matter of urgency encourage workers’ work-life forces so as to enhance firms’ effectiveness in the long-run
OXIDATIVE STRESS DEMOGRAPHY IN METABOLICALLY HEALTHY OBESITY
No full textObesity is often linked to oxidative stress due to an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's antioxidant defenses. This oxidative stress plays a significant role in obesity-related complications, including insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. This study examines the pattern of some antioxidants in metabolically healthy overweight and obese Nigerians to understand their role in maintaining metabolic health despite excess adiposity. A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted with metabolically healthy participants categorized as normal weight, overweight, or obese. Participants were recruited from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the general populace. Metabolically healthy status was defined by the absence of hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, cancer, or obesity-related disorders, and not taking medications for these conditions. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and blood samples were collected and analyzed for various biochemical markers, including glucose, lipid profiles, and antioxidant levels. The study adhered to ethical standards, with approval granted by LUTH's Medical Ethical Committee. The age distribution of participants showed an increased prevalence of obesity in middle-aged Nigerians. Obesity prevalence significantly rose from early adulthood (21-30 years) to middle age (41-50 years) before slightly declining in older age groups. Antioxidant analysis revealed that glutathione (GSH) levels were highest in normal individuals, slightly lower in overweight, and lowest in obese individuals, indicating reduced antioxidant defenses in obesity. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were similar across groups, with a slight decrease in obese individuals. Catalase (CAT) levels were consistently low across all groups, suggesting compromised hydrogen peroxide neutralization. Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels were lower in obese individuals, indicating diminished detoxification and enzymatic antioxidant defenses. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation, were highest in obese individuals, confirming increased oxidative stress. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to manage obesity and oxidative stress among Nigerians, particularly in middle-aged and older adults. Despite being classified as metabolically healthy, obese Nigerians are at risk of oxidative stress due to higher levels of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation. Enhancing antioxidant defenses through dietary and lifestyle interventions may mitigate health risks associated with obesity. 
La Problématique De La Traduction Des Proverbes Africains En Français Vers L`anglais : Le Cas De Chaque Chose En Son Temps De Lynn Mbuko
No full textLes proverbes africains expriment des pensées et des sentiments du peuple noir d`Afrique. La traduction des locutions proverbiales n`est pas une tâche facile. La problématique de leurs traductions d'une langue de départ à une langue cible constitue un aspect focal. Ce travail porte sur la problématique de la traduction des proverbes Africains d`expressions françaises vers l`anglais, le cas d`une pièce théâtrale intitulé Chaque Chose en son Temps de Lynn Mbuko. L'objectif du travail est de traduire quelques proverbes de la pièce, de relever les problèmes rencontrés et de démontrer les approaches nécessaires que nous pourrons employer pour surmonter les défis que l`on pourrait rencontrer lors de la traduction de telles locutions proverbiales. Nous avons eu recours à la théorie communicative de Danica Skeleskovitch et Marianne Lederer et aussi, l`équivalence, l`un des procédés techniques de la traduction indirect proposés par Vinay et Darbelnet comme les méthodologies suivies pour réaliser ce travail. Alors, nous avons souligné que pour efficacement traduire les proverbes ou les expressions idiomatiques de textes littéraires, d`une langue source à une langue cible, un traducteur doit maitriser la culture et la tradition de la société qui a donné naissance au texte littéraire
Global Gas Marketing Dynamics and the Nigerian Economy
No full textNigeria, a member of OPEC since1971, boasts of substantial crude oil reserve of 37.1 billion barrels at the start of 2023, with a production capacity of 2.5million barrels per day. The country heavily relies on crude oil production as a cornerstone of its economy, constituting a significant source of foreign exchange. The study examined the impact of global gas marketing dynamics on the Nigeria economy. The study employed the use of descriptive statistics while hypothesis were tested using t-test statistical tool, cronbach’s alpha coefficient test. Twenty (24) copies each of the structured questionnaires was distributed to three (3) gas marketing firms namely; Haris Gas, NNPC Gas, Jezco Gas and two SME’S respectively and twenty (24) copies each making a total of one-twenty (120) copies. The finding shows that global gas marketing has significantly improved the Nigeria economy, indicating that domestic gas market and export gas market have significant positive effect on the economic growth of Nigeria. The researcher recommended building a solid infrastructure for the storing, distribution and transportation of gas must be Nigeria's top priority while focusing on leveraging natural gas resources to drive economic growth. The government should make the gas pricing regime conducive for companies intending to go into gas exploration. This is to ensure gas is able to compete healthily with other alternative sources of energy
Knowledge Sharing: A New Approach to Knowledge Management in Business Education Programme in Nigeria
No full textThe paper examined the importance of knowledge sharing among business educators in Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to explore knowledge sharing methods and ways of improving knowledge sharing in business education programme. The paper viewed the extent to which business educators are involved in knowledge sharing for their educational activities. This is because knowledge sharing will assist business educators to keep abreast with current and relevant information particularly in their chosen professions. One of the challenges most business educators are facing is how to share knowledge with one another. Most senior and experienced business educators believe that sharing of knowledge will make them irrelevant in the system and some are not conversant with social media therefore, do not see the need for knowledge sharing. The implication of this is that the exit of these senior and experienced business educators from the institution due to transfer of service, retirements, ill health or death are likely tol create loss of memory that may affect the institution and business educators in particular. To this end, knowledge must be updated and shared continuously to improve performance and productivity in business education programme. Business educators must take advantage in exploring various methods of sharing knowledge on social media and the internet. The institutions must make deliberate efforts to capture the intellectual properties of their lecturers before they exit from the system to prevent loss of memory and to make it available when needed. It is against this background that this paper examines various methods of sharing knowledge, ways to cultivate knowledge sharing culture, dangers of hording knowledge, ways of improving knowledge sharing in business education and barriers to knowledge sharing in business education. The paper therefore recommends thatuniversity management should drive the need for business educators to embrace ICT for knowledge sharing and experienced business educators should be encouraged to publish their research findings in the institution and departmental repositories, among others
Unethical Behaviour and Academic Performance of Undergraduates in Rivers State
No full textThe study investigated unethical behaviour and academic performance of undergraduates in Rivers State. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised of the 377-teaching staff in three public universities in Rivers State. The sample of the study was 590, consisting 327 male and 263 teaching staff drawn from the three public universities in Rivers State, through stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used to generate data was a self-structured 12 – itemquestionnaire titled 'Unethical Behaviours and Academic Performance of Undergraduates in Public Universities Questionnaire” (UBAPUPUQ). Test re-test was used to record the reliability coefficient of the instrument at 0.85. The research questions were responded to using simple average mean statistics, while the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level using the z-test. The study revealed that unethical behaviours deny undergraduates the opportunity to acquire the specialized skills and knowledge and reduces the confidence of students to pass their examinations with high grade, and destroys students' zeal to study earnestly to pass their examination. It also showed that organizing regular orientation for students to encourage them to take their studies serious supporting underachieving students with counsels and tutorials would assist to improve their academic performance. Furthermore, this study recommended that university authorities should install information communication technologies in the school and exam halls surveillance, supervision of examination and checking of plagiarism. Moreso, universities should regularly organize orientation and sensitization for students in order to educate students on the dangers of engaging in unethical behaviours and the need to for them to take their studies seriou
Impacts of School plant Insecurity on the academic performance of students in Public Secondary Schools in Imo state.
No full textThis study investigated the impacts of insecurity on school plant on the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Imo state. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive research survey design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 11,700 which is made up of 5000 male and 6700 female students in SS2 classes in 260 public secondary schools in Imo State. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 467 students in (10) public secondary schools in Imo state. The instrument for data collection was a researcher made instrument titled “Impact of insecurity on school plant in public secondary schools in Imo state (IIOAPOSPSSII). The instrument was construed on a four points weighted scale of “Strongly agree, Agree, “Disagree, and Strongly dis agree. The instrument was classified into three clusters. Section A, explains the demographic status of respondents. Section B, is made up of the various form of insecurity in public secondary schools in Imo state, while section C is made up of the causes of insecurity in public secondary schools in Imo state. The instrument was validated by three experts in Business educationand computer science education in the faculty of education Madonna University Okija Anambra state. The reliability of the instrument was obtained using Cronbach techniques at 0.05 alpha level of significance.. The Coefficient of reliability indices were 0.97 and 0.87, which shows that the instrument is reliable to be used for the study. The instrument was administered to SS2 students in 10 public secondary schools in Imo state with the help of two research assistants who were briefed on a day training on how to distribute the instrument to male and female SS2 students. Atotal of 467 copies of the instruments were administered and a total of 467 copies were returned non got missed. The instrument was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Z- test statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 Alpha level of significance. The findings from this study revealed that there are insecurity on school plant which affects academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Imo state. It was recommended from this study that school principals should create synergy with the community leaders to forestall insecurity in public secondary schools in Imo state. Also, school principals should scrutinize student's leaders before assigning position of leadership to them in the school. Perimeter fencing should be used to stop insecurity in public secondary schools in Imo state
THE IMPACT OF MENSTRUATION ON HAEMATOCRIT AND SERUM TRANSFERRIN LEVELS IN FEMALE STUDENTS OF MADONNA UNIVERSITY, ELELE, RIVERS STATE
No full textThere had been an incident of dizziness or fainting and irregular menstrual cycle among menstruating female students in Madonna University, there is therefore a need to evaluate serum transferrin level and haematocrit value to ascertain the causative effect of such incidents.A total of Sixty subjects were enrolled for the study within the age range of 18 to 26 years in which thirty subjects were used as tests and thirty subjects were used as control. All subjects were apparently healthy with none having any form of illness.. Blood samples were collected from subjects and were analyzed of serum transferrin (g/dl) and haematocrit (%) value using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and Microhematocrit method respectively. The result obtained showed that Haematocrit (%) values in females not on menstruation (38.1333±1.73 %) were significantly higher than females on menstruation (33.80±2.93 %)(p<0.05). The result also obtained from the comparison of menstruating females and non-menstruating females showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum transferrin (g/dl) levels in non-menstruating females (2.54 ± 0.91 g/dl) when compared to menstruating females (3.92±0.524 g/dl). In conclusion, this study contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of haematocrit and serum transferrin levels in menstruating females in Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers state. These findings suggest a physiological adaptation in response to menstrual blood loss, which may contribute to understanding the hematological profile of menstruating females. It is therefore recommended that iron supplement should be advocated among female menstruating students to avert the adverse effect associated with menstruation.