8 research outputs found
African Immigrants to the United States: the influence of culture in academic achievement among Nigerian immigrants and their children in northern New Jersey post-1960
No full textBackground: Over the last four-and-a-half decades, more African immigrants have voluntarily come to America than were reportedly shipped to America through the slave trade. Over 60% of these African immigrants are from Nigeria. As Nigerian immigrants establish themselves in American cities, towns, and rural communities, they are becoming involved in their communities, starting small businesses, and participating in local politics. They are also raising families and sending their children to college. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of culture on educational achievement among Nigerian immigrants and their children. The central question guiding the study was “How does culture and social structure influence academic achievement among Nigerian immigrants and their children in the northern New Jersey area?”
Methods: First and second-generation Nigerian immigrant participants were recruited through purposive snowball sampling. Observations of Nigerian immigrant meetings and gatherings were undertaken and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 Nigerian immigrant parents and 28 young adult children of Nigerian immigrants attending college at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Rutgers University, and Essex County College. Student participants were interviewed on campus, while parents were interviewed in their respective towns at public places near their homes. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Transana 2.30. Content analysis was utilized to identify key themes related to educational achievement.
Results: Five key themes were identified among parent participants: 1) supervision of children, 2) preservation of Nigerian culture, 3). maintaining high expectations, 4) supportive family collaboration, and 5) strong involvement in school activities. Five additional themes were identified among student participants: 1). educational opportunities in the US, 2) family and friendship networks, 3). students’ self-confidence and motivation, 4) parents’ expectations of educational achievement, and 5) supportive networks of Nigerian churches, associations and organizations. Study findings suggested that Nigerian immigrant parents have adapted their cultural and social practices to promote their children’s academic achievement in the United States. Students who self-identified as Nigerian, attended Nigerian churches, and participated in Nigerian community activities in this study were more likely to excel in college than those who did not. Results also suggested that these social and cultural structures may prepare second-generation Nigerian immigrant students to perform well in formal academic environments. Finally, they indicated that the ongoing support of community networks---especially in the case of Nigerian churches and associations---was important in helping the second-generation Nigerian students in this study succeed in college.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical reference
Seasonal Control of Reproduction in Green Anole Lizards Through Neural Peptides Involved in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) Axis
No full textWhile reproduction is a key component in an organism\u27s life, reproductive behaviors vary across species. Seasonal breeders\u27 reproductive behavior changes depending on the season due to fluctuations in steroid hormone levels. Steroid hormone levels increase during the breeding season, causing increased reproductive behaviors, and decrease in the non-breeding season, resulting in a decrease in these behaviors. These hormone levels are controlled by the hypothalamus-pituitary- gonadal (HPG) axis; the hypothalamus releases gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which acts on the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland then releases hormones that act on the reproductive organs, which ultimately release steroid hormones. Regulation of this process occurs via neural peptides, including kisspeptin, a positive regulator of GnRH, and gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH), a negative regulator. Green anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis) are seasonal breeders who display increased territorial behaviors and ritualized courtship displays while experiencing increased steroid hormone levels during the breeding season. In the current experiment, the gene expression of kisspeptin 1 receptor (Kiss1R), kisspeptin 2 (Kiss2) and GnIH are going to be examined in the green anole brain to assess seasonal changes. We are working to clone the sequences of these genes into a vector, which will be used to construct RNA probes for an in situ hybridization study, allowing for the localization of these genes in the anole brain
EFFECTIVE AUDITORS, SYSTEMATIC CORRUPTION AND THE EGAD REPORT: THE WAY FORWARD
No full textThis study investigated the effectiveness of the auditors in combating corruption in the south-south and south-east public sector of Nigeria. The study was carried out in Edo, Anambra, Delta, and Enugu, States respectively (covering South-South and South-East Nigeria). Primary data were obtained through structured questionnaire. Survey design was employed in the study. A total of one hundred and two auditors were sampled. Convenient Sampling Technique was employed in selecting the auditors in the four states’ public organisations. Descriptive statistical techniques such as, charts, mean, standard deviation, tables, and percentages response analysis were used in analyzing the data. Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to test for reliability of the research instrument and the result was (.71). The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) was employed in testing the hypothesis. SPSS 23.0 was used. The results revealed that auditors are effective in fighting corruption in the public sector of Nigeria to the extent of their usefulness and practice. The study hereby concluded that auditors have been effective in combating corruption in the public sector despite the absence of auditor’s independence, threats, and absence of sincere political will to combat corruption in the Nigerian public sector. It was recommended that strengthening auditors’ independence, recruitment of more audit staff, auditors’ yearly rotation, submission of audit report to the anti-corrupt agencies, and increasing accountability through annual or quarterly preparation of EGAD report
Validation of the Statement “Aazhi Pol Paravin Agthey Pitham” and Its Importance in Diagnosis
No full textIn concept of siddha system of medicine the derangements of three humours vadha, pitha, kabha results in disease, this derangements causes serious illness. The author was interested to select this topic because nowadays most of the people having pitha exaggerated symptoms like giddiness, burning sensation all over the body, decreased sleep
etc. are developing more complications. So the author shows this topic to a siddha faculty, Then this topic is submitted to the screening committee members and got approved from them as well as from the IEC committee members later. The aim of this study is to evaluate the significance of the pitha diseases and to get more insight of pitham with help of siddha diagnostic parameters Ennvagaithervu, Naadi,Thegi,
7 udarkattugal.
❖ The author has selected the cases via the outpatient department of post graduate Noi Naadal at Government siddha medical college, palayamkottai.
❖ Pitham migu gunam symptoms was quoated in the NOINAADAL NOI MUDHAL NAADAL THIRATTU NOOL and SIDDHA MARUTHUVANGA
CHURUKKAM Pitham migu gunam symptoms like yellowish discoloration of skin, urine, and eyes, giddiness, burning sensation all over the body, decreased sleep, polyphagia,
polydipsia.
❖ The author had collected review of literature, definition, aetiology and classifications from siddha system, and modern method of urine analysis are also collected.
❖ For the clinical study 200 cases in Noi-naadal (OPD) were for the observational per the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the informed consent were obtained from the patients. Case sheet proforma were maintained for 200 cases. The author took the study in her OPD under the guidance of guide and other faculties. Laboratory investigations also were carried out during the study.
❖ Ennvagaithervu, Naadi, thegi, udarkattugal, neerkuri and neikuri of the patients were evaluated in the study.
In this study, following data were observed and discussed for the 200 cases.
Among 200 cases,
◉ Sex = 67.5% of cases were Female.
◉ Diet = 81.5% of cases were taking mixed diet.
◉ Socio–ecnomic satus = 60% of cases were lower class patients.
◉ Symptoms:
► 96.5% of cases had decreased sleep
► 42.5% of cases had Weight gain;
► 78% of cases had Anaemia
► 57.5% of cases had Poor appetite.
◉ Udal vanmai =51% of cases had valivu udalvanmai.
◉ Dhegi = 60% of cases were Pitha Vaathadhegi
◉ Nilam = 85% of cases were from Neithal nilam
◉ Kaalam = 64% of cases came in Pinpani Kaalam
◉ Uyi thaathukkal:
◉ Vaatham
► 97.5% of cases, Samaanan (NiravuKaatru);
► 94% of cases Viyaanan (ThozhilKaatru)
► 77% Devathaththan (KottaviKaatru);
► 38% of cases, Abaanan (Malakkaatru) was affected.
o Pitham
► 49% of cases, Anarpitham (Aakkanal);
► 96.5% of cases, Saathagam (Aatralangi Anal);
► 96.5% of cases, Ranjagam (Vanna Eri Anal) was affected.
o Kabham
► 100% of cases, Avalambagam (Ali Iyyam);
► 87.5% of cases, NeerpiIyyam (Kilethagam)was affected
► 95% of cases had affected Enbu.
■ Udarthaathukkal;
► 87% of cases had affected Saaram;
► 86% of cases Oon and Kozhuppu was affected
■ Envagai thervu
o Naadi = 81% of cases had pithakabam Naadi.
o Naa = 47% of cases had manjal niram
o Niram = 60% of cases were Maaniram.
o Mozhi = 51% 0f case had Sama oli.
o Vizhi
► 80% of cases had burning sensation.
► 84% of cases had manjal niram.
o Sparisam
► 76% of cases had Midhaveppam
► 60% of cases had Thoduvali.
o Malam
► 80% of cases had eruvai erichal.
► 85% of cases had ManjalniraMalam.
o Moothiram
■ Neirkuri
► 79% of cases had yellowish coloured urine;
► 90% of cases had normal odour urine
■ Neikkuri
► 90% of cases had pitham at 20 mins
CONCLUSION:
“AAZHI POL PARAVIN AGTHEY PITHAM” sage Theraiyar to
validate this statement the author selected pitha predominance patients and their neikuri pattern was pitham Depending upon patients udalinan, udarkattugal, uyirthathukkal, envagai thervu, Naadi, Nerkuri ,Neikuri pattern results all are correlated with pitha
predominance. Most of the pitha predominance patients neikuri pattern was Aazhi [ring] in shape.
In Neerkkuri examination colour, odour, froth, specific gravity, volume and pH were observed. The urine was mostly straw colour and aromatic odour. The froth was mostly absent and the specific gravity was mostly ranged from 1.003-1.010. The PH was mostly ranged between 5.1 – 6. In most of the cases the dissemination dynamics of oil drop observed were of medium spreading nature. It indicates good prognosis. For a neikkuri shape to take a ring pattern there needs to be a large vacuole fill in the spreaded expanse of the instilled oil drop . So vacuole of a larger form is predominantly presumed to be because of Pitham in the urine. Patients having pitha vatha naadi, pitha kabha nadi to observing their Neikuri pattern 90% cases having “Aazhi” (Ring) pattern. Through this study the author observed in two hundred cases mostly 90% pitha predominances cases urine sample having “Aazhi” pattern. The reason for the 10% differences in their Neikuri pattern of a given patients could be dietary variations life style and their habits. So, the author concludes that the quotes “Aazhi Pol Paravin Agthey Pitham” in clinically relevant and justified by its above significant results observed
Plant size, latitude, and phylogeny explain within-population variability in herbivory
No full textInteractions between plants and herbivores are central in most ecosystems, but their strength is highly variable. The amount of variability within a system is thought to influence most aspects of plant-herbivore biology, from ecological stability to plant defense evolution. Our understanding of what influences variability, however, is limited by sparse data. We collected standardized surveys of herbivory for 503 plant species at 790 sites across 116° of latitude. With these data, we show that within-population variability in herbivory increases with latitude, decreases with plant size, and is phylogenetically structured. Differences in the magnitude of variability are thus central to how plant-herbivore biology varies across macroscale gradients. We argue that increased focus on interaction variability will advance understanding of patterns of life on Earth
Plant size, latitude, and phylogeny explain within-population variability in herbivory
No full textInteractions between plants and herbivores are central in most ecosystems, but their strength is highly variable. The amount of variability within a system is thought to influence most aspects of plant-herbivore biology, from ecological stability to plant defense evolution. Our understanding of what influences variability, however, is limited by sparse data. We collected standardized surveys of herbivory for 503 plant species at 790 sites across 116° of latitude. With these data, we show that within-population variability in herbivory increases with latitude, decreases with plant size, and is phylogenetically structured. Differences in the magnitude of variability are thus central to how plant-herbivore biology varies across macroscale gradients. We argue that increased focus on interaction variability will advance understanding of patterns of life on Earth
Plant size, latitude, and phylogeny explain within-population variability in herbivory
No full textInteractions between plants and herbivores are central in most ecosystems, but their strength is highly variable. The amount of variability within a system is thought to influence most aspects of plant-herbivore biology, from ecological stability to plant defense evolution. Our understanding of what influences variability, however, is limited by sparse data. We collected standardized surveys of herbivory for 503 plant species at 790 sites across 116° of latitude. With these data, we show that within-population variability in herbivory increases with latitude, decreases with plant size, and is phylogenetically structured. Differences in the magnitude of variability are thus central to how plant-herbivore biology varies across macroscale gradients. We argue that increased focus on interaction variability will advance understanding of patterns of life on Earth
