2020

This study was undertaken to examine pre-service teachers’ conception of mathematics, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. One hundred and twenty mathematics students were randomly selected from the faculty of Education and the faculty of physical sciences, University of Benin, Edo State out of a population of 550 mathematics students in both faculties. To guide this study, four (4) research questions were raised. Nineteen (19) questionnaire items were generated for the research questions raised to guide the study. The data collected for the research questions were using frequency count and mean. The results gotten from the analysis revealed that majority of the Pre-service teachers have negative conception towards the learning of
mathematics. Based on the findings, it was recommended that; Lecture method of teaching mathematics be replaced with problem solving method as this will
enable students to develop good study habits and reasoning powers, stimulates their thinking, helps improve and apply their knowledge and experience to real life situations, mathematics teachers should put on good
behaviour in class as this helps to motivates students to listen attentively, periods of teaching mathematics should be fixed in the morning as this will enable students to understand mathematics better, mathematics teachers should make use of good instructional materials as this will help students to understand mathematics better, and lastly, parents should monitor their children’s progress, buy good textbooks and other learning materials that are relevant to their studies.

All living things need water and rivers constitute one of the most important sources of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural activities. This study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical properties and prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in Ogbese River, Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State. Water samples (twenty-four) were collected from 12 stations at Ogbese Town, and another 12 stations at Olumoye towns along Ogbese river course during the months of June to December, 2018 and February 2019. Bacteriological analysis involving membrane filtration and multiple tube fermentation techniques were employed to isolate bacterial pathogens. Extraction of genomic DNA, amplification, sequencing and blasting were used to identify bacterial isolates. Antibiogram and curing of bacterial isolates were performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Hemolysin production, serum resistance, Sereny test, Ileal loop assay and suckling mouse tests were carried out on the bacterial isolates. The physicochemical parameters and heavy metals analyses were evaluated using standard methods for water quality. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and unpaired Student’s t test.

This study was designed to analyze the challenges of teaching Biology in senior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. This study was guided by four research questions.
The design adopted for this study is the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of all Secondary Schools in Egor Local Government Area. The research instrument used for this research is the questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was done by the supervisor. The data was analyzed with the use of simple percentages and mean.
The findings revealed that the lack of instructional materials and a non-conducive environment are some challenges of teaching Biology in senior secondary schools. It is recommended that the government and all stakeholders in the Ministry of Education should make provision for instructional materials to be
available in every public secondary school and that the teachers should also endeavor to incorporate the use of instructional materials in their lesson periods.

In this era, the best problem solving method is needed in all field irrespective of the complexity or simplicity of the problem. Researchers and developers are doing their best to make software’s and machines more potent and intelligent. This is the advantage of artificial intelligent in developing solutions to searching algorithms that are potent and optimal. The most potent highly developed investigate method in Artificial Intelligence is the genetic algorithm. Genetic algorithm was developed to get best result to a known difficulty premised on inheritance, collection, crossover, mutation and further method. It has been proven that genetic algorithm is the most potent, impartial optimization method for analyzing a solution with large space. this research have been able to define what is genetic algorithm, how it differs from other existing traditional search optimization method, review of ten (10) traditional techniques of finding the best route in a given network. Also the design of genetic algorithm, it’s implementation on finding the best route within 20 cities (point) which is invariably the travelling salesman problem (TSP), and areas of application of application of genetic algorithms. The best route is invariably the shortest path.

It has been reported (Umoh 1998), that the peppery fruits of Dennettia tripetala usually find application in food meant for pregnant women. Moreover, Dennettiatripetala seeds are very important in the diets of women after childbirth, during which time it is claimed that spices and herbs aid the contraction of the uterus (Achinewhel et al., 1995). The uterine activities of this important fruit have not been fully documented. Little is known of the uterine activity of Dennettiatripetalafruit despite its widespread multipurpose uses as food and drugs. The present study was designed to determine the uterine activity of Dennettiatripetala fruit and, consequently.The cumulative concentrations (0.01-12.21 mg/ml) of the methanolic extract of DT was tested on rhythmic spontaneous uterine contraction, while the most potent concentration 3.5 mg/kg of DT extract was tested on oxytocin (OT), high potassium chloride (KCl)-induced uterine contractions and OT-induced uterine contractions in a calcium deprived state. DT extract produced significant (P<0.05) decrease in the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions with IC50 of 0.99 ± 0.06 and 0.83 ± 0.40 mg/ml respectively. As well as OT (11.62 nM)-induced frequency of myometrial contractions and OT (11.62 nM)-induced contractions in calcium deprived state containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and significant changes on high KCl (80 mM)-induced myometrial contractions. These observations may explain the effect of DT and its folkloric use in the food of pregnancy women, however further studies are advised to know the direct mechanism of action and to characterize and isolate specific bio-constituents responsible for the observed effects.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. Several biological structural trace elements involved in various vital metabolic processes relating to health and diseases include calcium and zinc has been proved to have a role in decreasing inflammatory pain, joint stiffness and other disabling symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the serum levels of some essential trace element such as calcium,copper, zinc, selenium and vitamin D and K in elderly patients with OA. A total of 300 patients comprising of one hundred and fifty OA subjects and 150 non osteoarthritis subjects were recruited for this study. Atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to measure the serum concentrations of Ca, Cu, Zn, Se, after it has been properly digested with its specific solution while Vitamin D and K was measured using HPLC and spectrophotometer respectively after treating with its specific solution and the results were compared with those of healthy controls. The socio-demographics characteristic of osteoarthritis and non-osteoarthritis subjects depicts no significant difference when compared with measured values across all age group. Majority of the subjects with osteoarthritis were female than male with a percentage difference of 60.7% and 39.3% respectively. The measured mineral concentration (calcium, copper and zinc) of osteoarthritis were significantly lower (p<0.001) than non-osteoarthritis subject between the distributions (p<001). However, zinc was not significant (P = 0.121). The results showed that 92/150(61.3%) of subjects with osteoarthritis had calcium level below the reference range,113/150(75.3%) of copper, 30/150(20.0%) of zinc and 25/150(16.7%) of selenium were below normal reference range. Similarly, among non- osteoarthritis subjects tested the results showed that 40/150(26.7%) of the subjects had calcium
level below the reference range, 69/150(46.0%) of copper, 20/150(13.3%) of zinc and 8/150(5.3%) of selenium were below normal reference range. The levels of vitamins D and K between osteoarthritis and non-osteoarthritis control groups showed that about 19.3% of the cases with osteoarthritis had a low level of Vitamin K compared to only 9.3% of the apparently healthy controls. This difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.013). Also, 30.7% and 5.3% of osteoarthritis and non-osteoarthritis subjects respectively had low level of vitamin D (P < 0.001). Osteoarthritis is not age dependent, the proportion of subjects within age group of 61-70 years had the highest percentage of osteoarthritis (56.0%). While the subjects within age group 70-80 years old had the lowest 5.3% of osteoarthritis. Means of all parameters compared were all found to be significantly different at 0.05 level except age which shows a very high significant difference (P > 0.116) between osteoarthritis and non-osteoarthritis subjects. It is therefore recommended that all patients with osteoarthritis should routine undergo structural trace element measurement.

This study examines the determinant of corporate social responsibility in Nigeria on selected quoted companies. The broad objective of the study is to examine the determinants of CSR on corporate entities. The study also examines the relationship between company size, profitability, industry type, institutional ownership, audit firm and leverage. The population consists of 30 quoted companies in the Nigeria capital market. Data collected was analyzed using the descriptive statistics while hypotheses formulated were tested using the ordinary lease square method. The findings indicate that there is a positive relationship between the extents of CSR disclosed and firm size. There is also a positive relationship between profitability and CSR. Industry type was found to have a negative relationship. Institutional ownership was also found to have a negative relationship, also Audit type was found to have a negative relationship. Leverage whichis the last variable was found to have a positive relationship on corporate social responsibility. The study also recommended among others that there is need for regulatory agencies to develop a CSR and environmental responsibility framework that forces considerably on responsiveness and irresponsiveness respectively

Multi-Drug Resistance developed by pathogens to most of the antibiotics present in the world today has led to an increase in the interest on plant derived compounds as substitute. In this study the antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate extract of hrysophyllum albidum cotyledon was determined, as well as the phytochemical constituents, proximate parameters and chemical constituents of C. albidum cotyledon. The antimicrobial activity of the seed extract was evaluated against clinical isolates (Stapyhlococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella spp, Aspergillus nigans) using agar-well diffusion method, Proximate analysis and phytochemical studies were carried out using standard method as described by Association of Official Analytical Chemist(AOAC). A two phase (liquid:oil) brown coloured extract with a yield of 2.530% was
obtained. The extract inhibited the growth of all test bacteria with an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 25mm – 20.5mm. The phytochemical result revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenolic, flavonoid, tannins, terpenoids, carbohydrate, proteins, reducing sugars, phytosterol and amino acids.

This study was carried out to investigate the occurrence and structural effects of bitumen in Agbabu community using integrated geophysical methods (aeromagnetic, aero-radiometric and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Two forms of datasets (Secondary and Primary) were used. These datasets provided useful information on the lithology and geological structures within the area. The geophysics data processing approach employed concentrated on enhancing the geophysical data quality and this aided in tracing accurate positioning of geological boundaries, the responses related to bituminous zone and geological structures that may be of vital economic importance The digitized geological map covering the study area was obtained for lithological information. The secondary datasets consist of an aeromagnetic and aero-radiometric basically for the reconnaissance study. Aeromagnetic and aero-radiometric map was obtained from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and processed using Oasis Montaj software to depict main lithology and structural features present in the Agbabu area. The primary data was acquired within the area suspected to have high potential for bitumen deposit using the wenner-schlumberger configuration. The potential difference produced was measured with the aid of PASI 16 GL-N Earth resistivity meter. The apparent resistivity
values obtained was processed using RES2DINV software which helped to automatically obtain the 2D inversion model of the subsurface. The results of aeromagnetic study show low TMI amplitude (-201.5 – 16.8nT) and high AS amplitude (0.053 – 0.172nT) at suspected bitumen deposit regions. The low TDR amplitude (- 1.4 to - 0.4nT) confirms a concealed basement depression hosting bitumen deposit. The 3D-Euler deconvolution helps to locate the sources of magnetic anomalies, it is deeper within the sedimentary terrain (841 – 1703m) and shallower (185 – 841m) within the basement. The interpretations of radiometric datasets revealed the spatial variation of potassium (K), thorium (Th) and uranium (U) radioelement concentrations as high as (0.6 – 2.5%), (7.9 – 28.0 ppm) and (1.9 – 5.1 ppm) respectively within the basement complex, but also low as (0.0 – 0.6%), (1.8 – 9.2ppm) and (0.3 – 1.9ppm) respectively within the sedimentary terrain. The ternary image shows very 16 low radiometric intensity that contained the bitumen structures, moderately high around lithological boundaries and concealed linear features reveal. This research has shown that the occurrence of bitumen was found between the depth of 13.4m and 9.93m for Traverses 1,2,3 and Traverses 4,5 respectively in 2- Dimensional electrical resistivity images which corroborated by boreholes with a depth of about 18m. The
results of this research indicated that bitumen has an average thickness of 11.67 m. The answers aid the exploitation of bitumen and made available for government and other relevant bodies in formulating policies for minerals development in the country. From the result of the coordinates of the airborne surveys, agreed perfectly with the values of Geophysical (ERT) traverses indicating the reliability of this type of joint geophysical investigation

The study sought to evaluate the recruitment policy and manpower
utilization in the civil service; using Edo state as a case study. Seven
research questions were raised for the study; what considerations guide the processes of recruitment in Edo state civil service? Are respondents satisfied with the transfer policies of the Edo state civil service? Are respondents satisfied with the appraisal policies of the Edo state civil service? Are selection and placement processes in Edo state civil servi2efv ce acceptable? Are selection and placement in the civil service of Edo state done on merit? To what extent are the staff members utilized in the civil service of Edo state? Are sanctions effective in checking selection irregularities the Edo state civil service? The research method
for designs to be used is case study and survey method. This is where various ministries and departments of the state civil service are consulted. Information gathered from the different departments and ministries would be used for this project. A sample of two hundred (200) respondents was used for the study. Data collected from the questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Frequency distribution and percentage analysis is used to analyze the research question while T-test and ANOVA was used to test the hypotheses raised. Findings show that 53% of respondents agree that the processes of selections is fair and 52.5% strongly agree and 43.0% agree that the employment equity is considered,31.0% however disagree. In distribution of manpower 101 respondents which is 50.5% disagree that government of origin is adequately represented in the Edo State civil service. 25.0%
strongly disagree that they are satisfied with the promotion system 34.0% disagree but 25.5% agree and 15.5% strongly agree. Respondents largely agree that the selection process is fair acceptable as 53.0% agree and 38.0% strongly agree. 121 respondents agree (60.5%) and 24.0% strongly agree that the manpower force in the civil service is adequate. Responses show
that sanctions are present but are not always applied. 50.5% held that cases of suspected irregularities are seldom reported to management. However 35.0% held that management takes disciplinary action often 41.0% responded that it is sometimes that management takes disciplinary action 24.0% held that the disciplinary action is seldom taken. The study recommends a review of the recruitment policy must be made expedient for the smooth implementation of the policy and the civil service commission should embark on a comprehensive audit and appraisal of workers to identify the gaps in manpower utilization in Edo state civil
service