39 research outputs found
The role of neuraminidase in the pathogeniticy of New Castle Disease: a review
No full textNo Abstract.Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 29 (1) 2008: pp. 40-4
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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Book Review: African Philosophy: Reflections on Yoruba Metaphysics and Jurisprudence
No full textBook Title: African Philosophy: Reflections on Yoruba Metaphysics and JurisprudenceBook Author: Oladele Abiodun BalogunPublisher: Xcel Publishers. Pages: 387. Year of Publication: 201
Whole blood coagulation time, haematocrit, haemoglobin and total protein of turkeys reared in Zaria, Nigeria
Get PDFThe study was carried out to determine the values of whole blood coagulation time (WBCT), haematocrit (HM), haemaglobin (HB) and total protein (TP) of one hundred and eighteen apparently healthy turkeys reared under an extensive management system in Zaria. The mean values for WBCT, HM, HB and TP were 1.12 ± 0.02 min, 31.31 ± 0.52%, 10.43 ± 0.17g% and 7.89 ± 0.14g/dl, respectively. The mean value of 1.14 ± 0.41 min for WBCT of the male turkey was not significantly different (P>0.05) from the mean value of 1.11 ± 0.04 min obtained from the female. Similarly, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the mean HM value of 32.12 ± 0.89 recorded for the male and the mean value of 30.60 ± 0.59 recorded for the female turkey. The correlation coefficient between age and WBCT was negative and significant (r = -0.235, P<0.05), while the correlation coefficient between WBCT and TP was negative and insignificant (r = -0.016, P>0.05). The relationship between WBCT and HM was also negative and insignificant (r = -0.073, P>0.05). On the other hand, the correlation coefficient between the HM and HB was positive and highly significant (r = 0.999, P<0.001). The results obtained in the present study provide baseline values for WBCT, HM, HB and TP in turkeys reared under an extensive management system in Zaria.Keywords: Haematocrit, Haemoglobin, Total protein, Turkey, Zaria
The prevalence and gross pathologic lesions of ovine and caprine pneumonia caused by bacterial agent in Zaria, Nigeria
No full textNo Abstract Available
Ghana J. Sci, Vol.40 2000: 3-
Risk factors for the occurrence and spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in commercial poultry farms in Kano, Nigeria
Get PDFOutbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 occurred previously for three consecutive years, 2006, 2007 and 2008 in Kano State, Nigeria, causing heavy economic losses to farmers and the government. It was against this background that risk factors for the occurrence and spread of HPAI H5N1 among commercial poultry farms in the State were evaluated. A total of 64 farms comprising 32 affected (AF) and 32 non-affected (NAF) farms were enrolled for this study. Questionnaires were designed and administered to the selected farms through interviews with farm owners or farm managers during on-site visits. Information on flock profile including farm characteristics and environment, husbandry practices, biosecurity practices, farm trade practices and employee activities were obtained and analyzed. Pearson Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Values of p< 0.05 were considered significant. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to measure the strength and statistical significance of associations between the variables and occurrence and spread of HPAI H5N1 in commercial poultry farms in the State. The most significant risk factors were the presence of untreated surface water on farms (OR 18.6, 95%CI 2.24 – 154.34, p = 0.001), exchange of egg crates between traders and farmers (OR 12.1, 95%CI 1.43 – 102.61, p = 0.006), allowing egg crates of traders into poultry pens (OR 11.67, 95%CI 2.37 – 57.86, p = 0.001) and allowing rodents/wild birds access to poultry feed (OR 3.65, 95%CI 0.23 – 1.87, p = 0.024). It was recommended that veterinary inspection to enforce and encourage best biosecurity practices for the poultry farms should be introduced and sustained
The Nigerian novel and indigenous culture : problems of communication
Get PDFIt is argued in this thesis that the Nigerian Novel is an attempt to transliterate traditional customs, beliefs and attitudes, the characters of myth and legends, a whole universe of ancestors, into an entirely new context of the twentieth century, employing a language to which the modern reader can respond. The work gives detailed consideration to the salient features of this attempt and assesses, with particular reference to the novels of Tutuola, Achebe, Aluko, Nzekwu, Amadi, Balewa, Egbuna, Adaora Ulasi, Nwankwo and Okara, what in each case is the atti tudeof the novelist to the indigenous culture of his country and how successfully the link between tradition and modern experience has been established. The approach adopted in the thesis is one of close analysis of texts in an attempt to find out how critically an author has presented those aspects of tradition he has selected for treatment and how skilfully he has dramatized the realities and dilemmas of the present. On each author answers are sought to a numer of searching questions. What are the particular values the writer is upholding or opposing, and what is his attitude to them? What particular emotional or intellectual effect does he hope to achieve, and does he succeed? If he does, by what methods of communication? If he fails, from what problems of communication has failure resulted, and what effect does this have on the reader? What sympathies are evoked, and how do we see a particular work in the body of works of a particular author? A writer's language is a mirror held up to his personality and his particular circumstances. It is through his use of language that he reflects his individual awareness of a given situation. The detailed study of language leads, almost inevitably, to a consideration of the more fundamental problems of communication. Even though all save one of the novelists to whom this thesis is devoted use English as their creative medium, they do so in the consciousness of the fact that they are presenting a Nigerian experience, and the best of them reveal in their works a specific mode of the imagination which derives from their Nigerian background. It has therefore been necessary in all cases to examine closely the use of language by each novelist and try to assess how effectively the artist has communicated. Because of the historical and cultural environment of the Nigerian novelist considerable interest is taken in the influence which the mother tongue (LI) has had on the writer's English (L2). The thesis concludes by identifying the essential requirements for the establishment of a successful link between tradition and modern life: an important theme, a consistent imaginative scheme, a language which recognizes the characteristics of LI and skill in the use of language. Only works in which many of these conditions are fulfilled as, for example, in the novels of Achebe, Amadi, Okara and Aluko achieve satisfactory results. The link between tradition and modern life is valuable only if it widens satisfyingly our experience of what it is to be human and thus contributes to the solution of the political and social problems of the present
Studies of some risk factors for re-introduction and spread of highly-pathogenic avian influenza in two states of Nigeria
Get PDFHighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) occurred in Nigeria about seven years ago affecting a wide range of avian species and human. HPAI being a major emerging zoonosis and a devastating disease of birds occupies the topmost position in the World Organisation for Animal Health list A poultry diseases . It requires emergency responses to speedily detect and control outbreaks, avoid spread and prevent future reoccurrence. Risk assessment links disease ecology with farmer's attitudes and practices in the agent-host environment relationship. As an example, a qualitative risk assessment was conducted on poultry farmer-risk practices for the introduction and spread of HPAI in two north eastern States of Nigeria. High risk based poultry management and marketing procedures, inadequate poultry housing were areas of major concern in these states. Future high risk of AI reintroduction and spread still existed, early detection enabling prompt implementation of control strategies where given undue attention. Recent global advances in AI control strategies could only be of value with early outbreak detection. Farmers must change attitudes towards adapting biosecurity measures, improvement in early detection skills would assist preparedness in the efforts to rapidly detect and act against future HPAI outbreak in Nigeria. Key words: Risk factors, avian influenza, spread, Nigeri
Influence of pulmonary lesions on some haemotological parameters of camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northwestern Nigeria
Get PDFBlood samples from external jugular vein of camels presented for slaughter at randomly selected slaughter houses in northwestern Nigeria were collected. This is to determine some haematological baseline data and to investigate the influence of pulmonary lesions on the blood parameters studied. Accordingly blood samples from 500 camels presented were collected and examined. Three hundred and twenty (320) camels sampled and examined showed one or more gross and microscopic pulmonary lesion(s) which include: acute pneumonia 232(46.4%), hydatid cyst 14(9.2%), pulmonary haemorrhage 3(0.6%), pulmonary abscess 13(2.6%) focal emphysema (12(2.4%) and pulmonary atelectasis 46(9.2%). while 180 camels sampled showed no detectable pulmonary lesion. There were relative increases in the PCV (p=0.422), RBC (p=0.411) and haemoglobin concentration (p=0.321) in camels with pulmonary lesions when compared to the values from camels with normal lungs. However, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The total WBC was significantly increased (p=0.011) in the camels that had lung lesions. Nevertheless, the differential white blood cell counts shows no statistical difference between the groups, except on the eosinophils count which were significantly higher (p=0.015) in camels with lung lesions. The calculated erythrocytes indices showed significantly higher MCH (p=0.02) and MCHC (p=0.048) in the camels with lung lesions (p<0.05), although the MCV was not significantly different between the groups. The total plasma protein was not significantly different between the groups (p=0.194). It was concluded that pneumonia or other lung lesions may have influence of the blood parameters observed in this environment.Keywords: Camel, Haematology, Lung lesion, Northwestern Nigeria
Short communication: Comparison between body weigth and prices of ewes in Zaria area.
No full textA total of 83 non-pregnant Yankasa ewes were weighed in five markets located in and around Zaria, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) with the aim of determining the mean body weight, price per head and price per kg of liveweight. Ewes sold in ABU farm had the highest liveweight of 44.56±2.58kg, while those sold in Kano road market were the lighest with liveweight of 37.72±1.07kg. Ewe sold in Zaria City market at the price of N4716.56±272.Z2 per head were most expensive. The cheapest ewes were sold for N4,121.82±160.25 in Kano road market. The most expensive price of ewes per kg was N109.04±1.97, in Sbika market; while the cheapest price per kg was, N104.40±2.27, in ABU farm. Prices of ewes per head and kg were not different (P > 0.05) from one another, except for Kano road market where the price per head was signincantly lower than than of Shika market. It was concluded that ewes were heaviest and their price per kg live-weight was cheapest in the market of ABU farm, where the management was apparently the best of all the five locations and the cost or production the lowest.Key words: Ewes, body weight, pric
