37 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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Causes of EndSars Protest as Perceived by Polytechnic Students in Ondo State, Nigeria
No full textThe study examined the Causes of Endsars Protest as Perceived by Polytechnic Students in Ondo state. The sample population was selected from Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State. Result from this study revealed that, there was significant difference between the perception of students who were part of the protest and those who were not part of the protest (t=-2.12, df=1006, p<.05), there was also a significant difference in the perception of students based on political affiliation (t=5.15, df=969.71, p<.05). However, the result furthered reveals that 430(42.7%) of students were not part of the protest due to various reasons, while 109(25.2%) were afraid of being killed by the police/military, 170(39.4%) sees the protest as a waste of their time as they did not see the protest as the solution to the Nigeria problems. T-test and ANOVA were the statistical analysis used to test hypothesis in this study. The researcher(s) developed instrument titled “Causes of Endsars Protest Scale” (CEPS) which was used to collect the data for the study. The scale has a reliability of 0.60, using eighty-eight students to test for reliability. Three hypotheses were stated for the study and were all tested at 0.05 levels of significant. The study therefore recommended that government should identify with the suffering and pains of its people, which should be reflected in how governance is being done and proper mental and emotional screening should be carried out on recruited police officers
HPLC analysis of fat-soluble vitamins in some vegetables and fruits in Lagos, Nigeria: an appraisal of psycho-physiology of wellness
No full textBackground: Fat-soluble vitamins play a crucial role in maintaining the body healthy and psychophysiological functioning, from immune system, muscle and heart function, easy flow of blood as well as eye health. They are critical to health and wellness of humans.
Objective: The objective of the research is to use High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis to quantify the amount of fat soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, D, E and K) in some vegetable and fruit samples purchased from Mushin market in Lagos, Nigeria.
Methods: The vitamins were extracted with hexane and analyses were performed by HPLC using an analytical reversed phase C-8 column and coupled to a UV detector.
Results: The concentration of vitamin A ranges from 31.768 mg/kg in wild banana to 678.2024 mg/kg in fluted pumpkin leaf. The content of vitamin D ranged from 4.653 mg/kg in wild banana to 228.407 44 mg/kg in scent leaf. Vitamin E concentration is lowest in wild banana (4.411 mg/kg) and highest in scent leaf (1,657.710 mg/kg) while the concentration of vitamin K ranged from 6.691 mg/kg in wild banana to 14,087.313 mg/kg in fluted pumpkin leaf.
Conclusion: Hence, the green leafy vegetables and fruits tested may be considered as a dietary source of fat-soluble vitamins. The study concludes inter-alia that as a people in developing nations we tend to focus more on our physical health than our psycho-physiological health. And it is clear that our collective inadequate diet has consequences for our well being
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
Methanolic Extracts of Cochorous olitorous (L.) and Adansonia digitata (L.) Leaves Against Irradiation-Induced Atherosclerosis in Male Wistar Rats
No full textThe present study investigated the anti-atherosclerotic and antioxidative effect of the methanolic extracts (MExt) of Cochorous olitorous (CO) and Adansonia digitata (AD) leaves on irradiation-induced atherosclerosis in male Wistar rats. Atherosclerosis was induced in male rats by a single dose of 6 gray whole body gamma radiation. MExt of C. olitorous and A. digitata leaves at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg bwt were administered as treatment for 7 days. Blood serum was analysed for lipid profile, MDA (malondialdehyde) and liver tissue for antioxidants enzymes, whereas the therapeutic potential was compared to the lipids-lowering drug lovastatin at 10 mg/kg/bwt. The phytochemical studies showed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Treatment with MExt of CO and AD normalized the elevated MDA level, whereas the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the treated rats increased. Pronounced changes were observed at 1,000 mg/kg bwt mixture of MExt of CO and AD for 1 weeks and it was more potent than the standard drug. The current study provided strong evidence that MExt of CO and AD might be important in the treatment of atherosclerosis and ROS without any side effects at the studied dosage and duration
From the ground up: Impacts of a pro-poor community-driven development project in Nigeria
No full text"The community-driven development (CDD) approach has become increasingly popular because of its potential to develop projects that are sustainable, are responsive to local priorities, empower local communities, and more effectively target poor and vulnerable groups. The purpose of this study is to assess the impacts of Fadama II, which is a CDD project and the largest agricultural project in Nigeria. This study used propensity score matching (PSM) to select 1728 comparable project beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. The study also used double difference methods to compare the impact indicators. Our results show that Fadama II project succeeded in targeting the poor and women farmers in its productive asset acquisition component. Participation in the project also increased the income of beneficiaries by about 60 percent, which is well above the targeted increase of only 20 percent in the six year period of the project. Regarding rural infrastructure investments, we found that the Fadama II project had positive near-term impacts on beneficiaries' access to markets and transportation costs, although the study revealed surprising effects on beneficiaries' commercial behavior and statistically insignificant impacts on nonfarm activities. We also observed that Fadama II increased the demand for postharvest handling technologies but did not have a significant impact on the demand for financial management and market information. Fadama II reduced the demand for soil fertility management technologies. The decline likely reflects the project's focus on providing postproduction advisory services and suggests the need for the project to increase its support for soil fertility management and thus limit the potential for land degradation resulting from increased agricultural productivity. Overall, the Fadama II project has achieved its goal of increasing the incomes of the beneficiaries in the first year of its operation. The project has also succeeded in targeting the poor and vulnerable in its productive-asset component, even though that did not appear to increase significantly short-term household incomes among the poorest asset tercile. The unique feature that could have contributed to the significant impact of the project in a short time is its broad-based approach, which addresses the major constraints limiting the success of CDD projects that address only one or two constraints. This has implications on planning poverty reduction efforts in low-income countries. Given that the poor face numerous constraints, a CDD project that simultaneously addresses many constraints will likely build synergies that will lead to larger impacts than will a project that addresses only one or two constraints. This suggests the need for the government and donors to pool resources and initiate multipronged CDD projects rather than many isolated projects." from Author's AbstractCommunity driven development, Poverty reduction, Propensity score matching, Difference-in-difference, Fadama,
Developing rural tourism in South Africa: a case of women and technology in Kwazulu – natal
No full textThis paper contributes to a greater understanding of the linkages between women’s roles, responsibilities and the use of and access to technologies in marginalised rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The ways in which poor rural women conceptualise technologies and the ways in which they use their knowledge and skills to develop, modify and adapt the techniques and technical processes are examined in relation to developing rural tourism in the areas. Research was undertaken in four marginalised communities in KwaZulu-Natal: Adams Mission, Platt Estate, KwaXimba and Makomoreng. The study examined the relationships between rural women, and their technological knowledge with a view to developing rural tourism. Emphasis on the data collection was on gender sensitivity and the ability to capture the complexities of the rural women’s real life activities. The aim of this contribution is to contribute to a greater understanding in terms of the recognition of the linkages between women’s roles, responsibilities, knowledge and their participation in rural economic and tourism development with more emphasis and focus on their use of modern technologies and indigenous knowledge.rural tourism in South Africa, women’s roles, marginalised rural communities in KwaZulu
Groundwater Quality Assessment in Iworoko-Ekiti Environs, South-Western Nigeria using Chemical Indices: Implications for Irrigation and Household Utilities
No full textGroundwater quality of Iworoko-Ekiti and environs for irrigation and domestic purposes has partly been established using chemical indices. Groundwater quality assessment in the area is of great importance because of the influence of various activities in the area. The area is thickly populated by citizens and higher institution students across Nigeria. At the moment, sanitary conditions are very poor as the main occupations are trading and farming. Nineteen hand-dug wells were randomly sampled within the settlement. Flame photometry and spectrometry were used for cations and anions analyses respectively. Average values of pH, EC and TDS are 7.02, 342µS/cm and 230ppm. The average trend of major cations and anions concentrations is Ca2+>Na+>Mg2+>K+ and HCO3->Cl?>SO42->CO32- respectively. Average values of Degree of Contamination and Revelle Index are 14 and 0.6 respectively. SAR, MAR, %Na, KI, TH, CIA-1 and CIA-2 has an average value of 0.7, 37.4, 24.8, 0.3, 162ppm, 0.4 and 0.9 respectively. Based on these values, the water is suitable for irrigation. In general, 31.6% of the hand-dug wells are slightly acidic and 10.5% have Revelle index >1 above recommended values respectively. 10.5% from the hand-dug wells have KI above one, 5.3% has MAR above recommendation making them unfit for irrigation purposes. Hence, majority of the wells are suitable for irrigation with exception of a few wells. However, the elevated Cl- concentrations in all the wells, make them unfit for human consumption. Weathering of migmatite and granite gneisses together with anthropogenic activities really contributed to the chemistry of the groundwater
Decentralization, agricultural services and determinants of input use in Nigeria:
No full textDecentralization, agricultural services, Input use, household survey data, agricultural services, poor farmers, fertilizer use, government, modern inputs, unobserved heterogeneity,
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
