Caritas University Journals
Not a member yet
267 research outputs found
Sort by
The Impact of Incorporating Mindfulness into Nigerian Secondary Schools Curricula: Advantages and Disadvantages
Full text linkThe study explored the impact of incorporating mindfulness into Nigerian secondary schools curricula: advantages and disadvantages. Incorporating mindfulness into secondary schools curricula offers numerous benefits for students’ mental health, academic performance, social skills and positive school culture. The study adopted the survey research method. The population for this study comprised all public secondary school principals, teachers and students in Delta State. The sample for this study was 50 principals, 100 teachers and 150 students in selected public secondary schools Delta State. A self-structured questionnaire titled Incorporation of Mindfulness into Secondary School Curricula Questionnaire (IMSSCQ) were used to collect data for the study. The reliability coefficients of the instruments ranged from 0.81 to 0.86 through Cronbach Alpha. Simple percentage, Mean, standard deviation, and Pearson “r” statistics were the statistical tools deployed for the analysis of data collected. The results of the study indicated that incorporating mindfulness into secondary school curricula has the potential to transform the educational landscape and also improve decision-making of students through thoughtfulness and self-awareness. In conclusion, the integration of mindfulness practices in schools offers significant potential benefits, including improved student focus, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. However, successful implementation requires careful consideration of the challenges, such as time, teacher training, cultural resistance, logistical constraints, and the need for age-appropriate interventions
Revolutionizing Mental Health: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Clinical Psychology
Full text linkThe rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the landscape of mental health care and clinical psychology. AI-powered tools—ranging from natural language processing (NLP) chatbots to predictive analytics—are enhancing the accuracy of diagnoses, enabling personalized treatment plans, and extending access to therapy for underserved populations. This paper presents a systematic review of AI applications in mental health, focusing on psychological assessment, AI-assisted psychotherapy, suicide prevention, and precision psychiatry. A thematic analysis of 60 peer-reviewed studies from 2010 to 2024 highlights both the immense potential and pressing ethical concerns associated with AI integration. We conclude with recommendations for responsible innovation and collaborative frameworks that bridge technological advancement with human-centered care
Impact Of Facebook Advertisement On The Undergradute Admission Of Private Universities In South East Nigeria (a Study 0f Caritas University Students)
Full text linkThis study was aimed at ascertaining whether undergraduates private universities access advertisements on Facebook and whether such advertisements impacted on their choice of getting admission. The survey method was adopted while four research questions guided this study. Questionnaire and personal interview were the instruments for data collection while stratified random sampling technique was used to draw 380 respondents from the population using the percentage sampling method. For clarity purposes, data obtained was analysed using simple percentages and frequencies. Results of the analysis indicated that majority of the respondents access advertisements on Facebook and saw them as being targeted at them. The findings also revealed that there was no significant margin between those who patronize the university advertised on Facebook and those who do not, with 87% patronizing and 13% not patronizing. The study recommended that more concerted efforts should be paid on the part of advert agencies and advertisers to make the advertisements on Facebook more attractive and catchy as well as put all details needed to facilitate more patronage of the advertised product, such as University and admission
Challenges Encountered By Residents Of Enugu North Lga In Using Facebook For Public Health Messaging During Covid-19
Full text linkThe study investigated the challenges encountered by residents of Enugu North LGA in using Facebook for public health messaging during Covid-19 Pandemic. The survey research design was used. The sample size of 273 was drawn from the population of 347,500. Multi-stage cluster sampling procedure was the technique used to carry out the study. The findings in the study shows that 77.9% of the respondents have been exposed to campaigns against Covid-19. Also, 91.5% are aware that Covid-19 can be transmitted from person to person. Also, 72.3% of the respondents believe that using Facebook for public health messaging is beneficial. However, Facebook was not the major source of information on Covid-19 for 54.6% of the respondents. This implies that respondents merely use information gotten here to augment the one from their major source of information on Covid-19. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made; Enhance digital literacy programmes for the residents of Enugu-North: the outcome of this study shows that misinformation and unfiltered information from non-governmental or public health sources was a major threat to the adoption of Facebook for information on the Covid-19, the research recommends enlightenment of the target population on how to discern credible information from misinformation on Facebook. Hence, the local government authority LGA, should partner with local health organizations and educational institutions to conduct workshops and seminars on digital literacy and critical thinking. This will go to a great extent in increasing knowledge of residents to make informed decisions regarding COVID-19 and other health issues based on reliable information. Enhance Health Communication Strategies on Facebook: Create targeted health communication campaigns specifically tailored for residents of Enugu-North, focusing on local languages and cultural context to improve understanding and engagement. Use interactive and engaging content formats like live Questions and Answer (Q&A) sessions, info graphics, and short videos to convey critical information about COVID-19 prevention, symptoms, and treatment options on Facebook
Mineral Processing: Production of Calcium Oxide from Nkalagu Limestone, Effect of Particle Size and Temperature
Full text linkNkalagu limestone is a commercial raw material for cement production in south eastern Nigeria. The limestone was evaluated for quicklime production using oxidation kiln. The response of particles size was evaluated using five (5) particle size variations of 180µm, 355µm, 710µm, 850µm and 1,400µm. at temperatures(T) such that 800≥T≤1200 and ΔT = 1000C. The composition of the limestone was evaluated using the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Simple Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR). Results obtained confirmed the importance of surface area as conversion was higher same as loss on ignition with smaller particle sizes. SEM analysis reveals the product above 9500C as cement clinker and not CaO. Higher temperatures cause the thermal interaction of associated metallic oxide impurities which normally act as fluxes, decomposing the CaO to cement clinker. Above 9000C, product obtained had a higher bulk density, lower apparent porosity, cake-like and dark. To obtain CaO from Nkalagu Limestone, temperature in excess of 9500C is not advised
Effect Of Entrepreneurship Skills On Record Keeping Of An Organization In The Oil And Gas Industry Of Nigeria
Full text linkThe research studied the effect of entrepreneurship skills on record keeping of an organization in the oil and gas industry of Nigeria. This study specifically examined, determined and evaluated the effect of entrepreneurship skills on record keeping of an organization in the oil and gas sector. Ex-post facto design was adopted due to the fact that the study relied solely on secondary source of data collection in examining the effect entrepreneurship skills on record keeping of an entrepreneur in the oil and gas Industry of Nigeria. The data were obtained from the annual report and accounts from two sampled industry listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Entrepreneurship skills have a negative and significant effect on priorities security and privacy in Nigerian oil and gas sector. Based on the findings, it was recommended that priorities security and privacy should be ascertained and introduced to Nigerian oil and gas industry as a priority more particularly with the introduction of international recording system. The F-Statistic was 3.805556 at 0.0338 significance level with df (10,2)-3.49. The t-calculated of prioritize security and privacy is -2.321608 which indicates that Prioritize security and privacy has a negative and significant effect on entrepreneurship skills of Nigerian oil industry. Record, track and monitor keeping method is necessary to sustain loyalty of customers and should be supported. Annual review and audit is imperative for oil and gas industry to adopt viable record keeping procedures in other to compete favorably with their competitors
Influence of Bentonite Slurry Modifier on the Elastic Properties of Lateritic Soil
Full text linkThe influence of bentonite slurry on the elastic properties of lateritic soil was investigated. Various amounts of bentonite slurry (2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%) were mixed with the lateritic soil from six (6) different boreholes to ascertain its effect on the elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the soil. The results revealed that an increase in bentonite slurry yielded an increase in the elastic modulus of the soil by an average of 83.41% while an increase in bentonite slurry on the lateritic soils resulted in a decrease in Poisson’s ratio by an average of 23.79%. This result shows that the bentonite slurry modification with lateritic soil improves the lateritic soil from a state of very soft soil to medium soil in relation to the elastic properties, especially the elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Based on the results, bentonite slurry has a positive influence on the elastic properties of lateritic soils and is suitable for foundation works when mixed with lateritic soils
Strength Capacity of Clay Soil Modified With Geosynthetics and Coconut Coir Fibre
Full text linkThe strength capacity of the Clay soil modified with Geosynthetics and Coconut fibre. The soil samples were taken from Egbelu Ogbogoro Obio Akpor Local Government Area. The soil samples from the preliminary test showed that the soil is classified as an A-7-5 soil. The cohesion value for the triaxial test increases with the longest cohesion occurring at 8% for coir fiber, 39.31kpa and 6% for Geosynthetics 40.33kpa. The internal friction angle increases with the maximum friction angle occurring at 10% for coir fibre 14.57° and 4% of Geosynthetics 13.03°. The maximum safe bearing capacity of the specimen occurred at 10% for both modifying agents. The clay soil with coir fiber increases the CBR value from 3.53% for 0% unsoaked and 2.06% soaked to 11.35% for 10% unsoaked and 9.22% soaked, while Geosynthetics increased the CBR of the soil at 16.70% unsoaked condition and 11.21% for soaked condition. However, the coir fiber and Geosynthetics of unsoaked and soaked condition meet the minimum requirement oratiof California bearing of 6. The compressive strength (UCS) also improves the strength of the clay soil and the maximum UCS value at 10% for both additives. Based on the test results. Both Geosynthetics and coconut coir fibre modified with soil have proved that they can be used for stabilizing the subgrade soil for the stability of the foundation of structures in civil engineering
Stochastic Application on the Variability of Soil Deformation Models
Full text linkThis study conducted a probabilistic evaluation of immediate settlement with foundation depths at the centre of raft foundation in Borokiri and Nwokekoro close, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It utilized deterministic methods for immediate settlement analysis, specifically those developed by Meyerhof, Peck and Bazaraa, Steinbrenner and Fox, Mayne and Poulos, and Burland and Burbidge. The geotechnical and elastic parameters necessary for reliability estimation were derived from the geotechnical investigation of soil samples collected from the sites. Serviceability limit state functions were formulated based on the immediate settlement equations mentioned earlier. The uncertainties associated with the random variables for each limit state function were sourced from existing literature. Reliability estimates were performed using computer programs developed in MATLAB based on the First Order Reliability Method (FORM). The findings indicated that in the Borokiri area, the Steinbrenner and Fox method produced reliability index values ranging from 2.4 to 2.7, which are within the recommended target reliability index range (2.5 – 4.0) for geotechnical structures. In contrast, the Mayne and Poulos method yielded a higher reliability index (6.1 to 6.5). The other methods, such as Burland and Burbidge (-0.07 to 1.6), Meyerhof (-1.4 to 0.8), and Peck and Bazaraa (-2.5 to - 0.6), underestimated the target reliability index. For the Nwokekoro close, Old GRA area, Steinbrenner and Fox again provided reliability index values between 3.4 and 4.0, aligning with the recommended target reliability index, while Mayne and Poulos (6.3 to 7.2) overestimated. The other methods, such as Burland and Burbidge (-2.3 to 1.9), Meyerhof (-2.4 to 1.7), and Peck and Bazaraa (-3.3 to 0.5), underestimated the target reliability index. Consequently, the Steinbrenner and Fox method emerged as the most reliable for predicting the immediate settlement of raft foundations in both Borokiri and Nwokekoro close, Old GRA. These results corroborate the findings from deterministic methods, suggesting that as estimated settlement exceeds the maximum allowable limit, the reliability index is expected to decrease, and vice versa. The MATLAB program developed in this research is user-friendly and suitable for geotechnical applications
Separate and Combined Effects of Energy Drinks and Alcohol Intake on Exploratory Behaviour of Male Albino Rats
Full text linkThe increasing concurrent consumption of energy drinks and alcohol raises concerns about their combined effects on learning and exploratory behaviour, yet controlled experimental evidence remains limited. This study examined the separate and combined effects of energy drink and alcohol consumption on exploratory behaviour in male albino Wistar rats using the T-maze paradigm. Twenty-seven rats (160–190 g) were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 7 per group) and orally administered energy drink (Red Bull), alcohol (Smirnoff vodka), a combination of both, or distilled water (control) for 28 days. Exploratory behaviour was assessed using task completion latency. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) post hoc tests, with statistical significance set at p < .05. A significant main effect of treatment was observed, F(3, 23) = 9.349, p < .001, η² = .549, indicating that substance administration accounted for 54.9% of the variance in performance. Rats exposed to alcohol exhibited significantly impaired performance (M = 216.38 s) compared with the control group (M = 113.71 s, p = .001) and the energy drink group (M = 117.75 s, p = .002). No significant difference was observed between the energy drink and control groups (p = .998). The combined energy drink–alcohol group demonstrated intermediate impairment, performing significantly worse than the control (p = .019) and energy drink (p = .028) groups. These findings indicate that chronic alcohol exposure significantly impairs spatial learning and memory, whereas energy drink consumption alone does not markedly influence exploratory performance. Co-administration of energy drinks with alcohol does not mitigate alcohol-induced cognitive deficits, highlighting potential neurobehavioural risks associated with their concurrent use