11 research outputs found
The conventional versus a constructionist Scratch programming and first-year students' achievements in higher education classes: experimental data.
No full textGlobally, learning or teaching the first programming (popularly called CS1) remains a significant educational challenge. Indicators such as CS1 students' engagement, failure and attrition rates, and lack of diversity, continue to show the need for innovating the learning or teaching of novice computer science students. To ease initiating novices to programming, Scratch, a visual programming language, has become a staple of K-12 CS1 classes.
As outcomes of a research project aiming to explore a constructionist Scratch pedagogy with novice CS students in higher education, we present these datasets. In the research lasting two successive academic sessions, we conducted two quasi-experimental studies involving four intact CS1 classes in selected public polytechnic in the north central Nigeria. In each study, we randomly assigned the classes to the experimental and control groups, constituting the constructionist Scratch and the conventional CS1 classes, respectively.
Instruments for collecting data include a student profile questionnaire, a pretest, and posttest. Sequel to ethical clearance and permission from the selected schools, we conducted each study during the first semester of each academic session, in the first seven to eight weeks. During the first to second week, we administered students who consented to take part with the questionnaire and the pretest. Learning or teaching in the two classes lasted six weeks. Then both classes took the posttest. An independent CS educator who is not part of this research marked all the achievement tests, following a rubric prepared by the first author. To strengthen the research design and the possibility of arriving at valid causal evidence, we employed a Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM) algorithm to generate matched samples of experimental and control data, which we used in the analysis.
Data presented here includes the raw, unmatched and matched experimental datasets from both studies. A researcher can make use of the data:
To explore if some background variables not addressed in the original research may moderate CS1 students' achievements. For instance, their prior achievements in mathematics, physics, or English.
To uncover some interesting patterns using machine learning algorithms.
To validate the outcome of the original experiment by using the unmatched, matched or newly generated matched samples.
The authors welcome further research collaborations in using the data or the accompanying research instruments.
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Bank Liquidity and Economic Growth of Nigeria
No full textThis study was carried out to determine the effect of bank liquidity on the economic growth of Nigeria. Consequently, three hypotheses were designed to guide the researchers and data were drawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin which covered a thirty three (33) years period between 1980 to 2013. The hypotheses were tested using ordinary least square regression analysis and the econometrics co integration test. The result revealed that; there is a positive and significant relationship between total bank credit ratio and economic growth of Nigeria; there is a positive and significant relationship between total bank deposits and gross domestic product of Nigeria; a negative but significant relationship exist between deposit credit ratio and economic growth of Nigeria. Based on the results, it was recommended that government should motivate banks to grant more loans and advances to the economy; laws should be instituted to prevent the diversion of loans to non-productive sectors of the economy; the monetary authorities should encourage the real sectors of our economy such as the agricultural and industrial sectors of Nigeria.Keywords: Bank deposits; Bank liquidity; Deposit credit ratio Economic growth; Gross domestic product; Loans and advances; Loan ratios; Total bank credit ratio; Total bank deposit
Inhibition and Compressive-Strength Performance of Na₂Cr₂O₇ and C₁₀H₁₄N₂Na₂O₈.2H₂O in Steel-Reinforced Concrete in Corrosive Environments
No full textThis paper studied corrosion-inhibition and compressive-strength performances of NaThe accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author
An investigative and evaluative study of factors affecting quality of agricultural and farm information services in Kerala
No full textAgriculture is not only a country’s backbone of food, livelihood and ecological security systems, but is also the very soul of its sovereignty. In Kerala population density is high and land is scarce. To achieve sustainable advancement in quality of human life, meeting the domestic food requirement is to be given foremost priority in development plans. As the area of cultivation cannot be increased and growth of population cannot be controlled growth in food production is to be achieved by qualitative improvement in farming. This requires improvements in material inputs, farming techniques, storage technology and research. Effective integration of these factors is tied closely to adequate information flow, which can be ensured only by an efficient information system for agricultural education, research, extension and development. So evaluation and improvement of existing information services is very crucial for sustainable agricultural growth. The study evaluates the existing information resources, facilities, services, possibilities for resource sharing, accessibility of external sources, and the factors that affect the quality and efficiency of information services in agricultural sector. Coverage is limited to the State of Kerala. Sample consist 105 institutions of different levels, and information users consisting of 426 scientists and 220 farmers. Different sets of questionnaires and interview schedule were used to elicit information. The study found that agricultural research conducted at various institutions in the region at huge public expense has generated knowledge for improving production. Along with these huge collections of acquired content is also stored in the sector. But when a farmer, an extension worker, a scientist or an administrator needs information it is not easily accessible. The study found that agricultural sector fails to effectively bank on information resources available due to the lack of an information system and network. Recommends an Agricultural and Farm Information System for Kerala. Suggests a model plan for a computer communication network for resource sharing between the agricultural institutions in the State, which will also ensure, smooth flow of results of research down to the grassroots level to achieve maximum productivity in agriculture
Diagnosis and management of pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in resource-poor settings
No full textGlobally, Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) remains a common and lethal infection in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative people, particularly in developing countries where rates of PCP increase with rising GDP. Pneumocystis jirovecii cannot be cultured in routine clinical laboratories, and diagnosis relies on microscopy, histology, serological biomarkers and/or PCR[author: spell out] detection of Pneumocystis DNA; most of these methods are expensive and require proficiency training. Accessing lower respiratory tract specimens in young children is challenging and only PCR testing of nasopharyngeal aspirates is useful. Early diagnosis and treatment with high-dose co-trimoxazole is effective therapy; however, adverse reactions are common. Improved outcomes are associated with adding corticosteroid to treatment in those with moderate/severe PCP, although this has not been studied in resource-poor settings. This review discusses the comparative values of the available diagnostic techniques in relation to their suitability for use in resource-poor settings. We also address the non-availability of the alternative medications in these region
Essential in vitro diagnostics for advanced HIV and serious fungal diseases: International experts\u27 consensus recommendations
No full textAbstract are not provided by the author/publishe
Kolaviron attenuates diclofenac-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats
No full textThe beneficial effects of kolaviron, a natural biflavonoid from the seeds of Garcinia kola, have been attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study was designed to investigate the renoprotective effect of kolaviron in rat model of diclofenac (DFC)-induced acute renal failure. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups of five rats each as follows: a control group that received propylene glycol orally and treatment groups that received diclofenac, diclofenac followed by kolaviron at three different doses and kolaviron only. Diclofenac treated rats showed sluggishness, illness and anorexia. Their urine contained appreciable protein, glucose and ketone bodies. Histopathological examination of their kidneys revealed profound acute tubular necrosis. Diclofenac treatment significantly increased levels of plasma creatinine, urea, sodium, chloride, potassium ions, and increased renal tissue activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide. Fractional excretion of sodium and potassium and renal tissue levels of reduced glutathione and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) decreased significantly in DFC treated groups. However, kolaviron administration significantly reduced toxic effect of DFC on PGE2 release, plasma levels of creatinine, urea, glucose, and electrolytes and significantly attenuated renal tubular and oxidative damages. Furthermore, the effects of DFC administration on food consumption, water intake, urine output and urine protein, glucose, ketone bodies and electrolytes, were significantly attenuated in animals treated with kolaviron. The results suggested that kolaviron ameliorated DFC-induced kidney injury in Wistar rats by decreasing renal oxidative damage and restoration of renal PGE2 release back to the basal levels.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author
A review of empirical evidence on gender differences in nonland agricultural inputs, technology, and services in developing countries
No full textThis paper reviews existing microeconomic empirical literature on gender differences in use, access, and adoption of nonland agricultural inputs in developing countries. This review focuses on four key areas: (1) technological resources, (2) natural resources, (3) human resources, and (4) social and political capital. In general, there has been more empirical research on inorganic fertilizer, seed varieties, extension services, and group membership than on tools and mechanization, life-cycle effects, and political participation. Across input areas, generally men have higher input measures than women; however, this finding is often sensitive to the use of models that control for other background factors, as well as the type of gender indicator implemented in the analysis. We find few studies that meet our inclusion criteria outside Sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, future directions, opportunities, and recommendations for microeconomic gender analysis of nonland agricultural inputs are discussed.access to farm inputs, Agricultural inputs, Agriculture, assets, Developing countries, Gender, life-cycle effects, mechanization, Women,
Novel functional insights into ischemic stroke biology provided by the first genome-wide association study of stroke in indigenous Africans
No full text\ua9 The Author(s) 2024. Background: African ancestry populations have the highest burden of stroke worldwide, yet the genetic basis of stroke in these populations is obscure. The Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) is a multicenter study involving 16 sites in West Africa. We conducted the first-ever genome-wide association study (GWAS) of stroke in indigenous Africans. Methods: Cases were consecutively recruited consenting adults (aged > 18 years) with neuroimaging-confirmed ischemic stroke. Stroke-free controls were ascertained using a locally validated Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status. DNA genotyping with the H3Africa array was performed, and following initial quality control, GWAS datasets were imputed into the NIH Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) release2 from BioData Catalyst. Furthermore, we performed fine-mapping, trans-ethnic meta-analysis, and in silico functional characterization to identify likely causal variants with a functional interpretation. Results: We observed genome-wide significant (P-value < 5.0E−8) SNPs associations near AADACL2 and miRNA (MIR5186) genes in chromosome 3 after adjusting for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiac status in the base model as covariates. SNPs near the miRNA (MIR4458) gene in chromosome 5 were also associated with stroke (P-value < 1.0E−6). The putative genes near AADACL2, MIR5186, and MIR4458 genes were protective and novel. SNPs associations with stroke in chromosome 2 were more than 77 kb from the closest gene LINC01854 and SNPs in chromosome 7 were more than 116 kb to the closest gene LINC01446 (P-value < 1.0E−6). In addition, we observed SNPs in genes STXBP5-AS1 (chromosome 6), GALTN9 (chromosome 12), FANCA (chromosome 16), and DLGAP1 (chromosome 18) (P-value < 1.0E−6). Both genomic regions near genes AADACL2 and MIR4458 remained significant following fine mapping. Conclusions: Our findings identify potential roles of regulatory miRNA, intergenic non-coding DNA, and intronic non-coding RNA in the biology of ischemic stroke. These findings reveal new molecular targets that promise to help close the current gaps in accurate African ancestry-based genetic stroke’s risk prediction and development of new targeted interventions to prevent or treat stroke
Staging of Schizophrenia with the Use of PANSS: An International Multi-Center Study
No full textIntroduction: A specific clinically relevant staging model for schizophrenia has not yet been developed. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the factor structure of the PANSS and develop such a staging method. Methods: Twenty-nine centers from 25 countries contributed 2358 patients aged 37.21 ± 11.87 years with schizophrenia. Analysis of covariance, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Discriminant Function Analysis, and inspection of resultant plots were performed. Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis returned 5 factors explaining 59% of the variance (positive, negative, excitement/hostility, depression/anxiety, and neurocognition). The staging model included 4 main stages with substages that were predominantly characterized by a single domain of symptoms (stage 1: positive; stages 2a and 2b: excitement/hostility; stage 3a and 3b: depression/anxiety; stage 4a and 4b: neurocognition). There were no differences between sexes. The Discriminant Function Analysis developed an algorithm that correctly classified >85% of patients. Discussion: This study elaborates a 5-factor solution and a clinical staging method for patients with schizophrenia. It is the largest study to address these issues among patients who are more likely to remain affiliated with mental health services for prolonged periods of time. © 2019 The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of CINP
