This study investigated the impact of English Language proficiency testing on the pronunciation performance of undergraduates in Southwest. Nigeria. The study was a descriptive survey research design. The target population size was 1243 (200-level) undergraduates drawn from eight tertiary institutions. The instruments used for data collection were the English Language Proficiency Test and Pronunciation Test. The English Language proficiency test was used to measure the performance of students in English Language and was adopted from the Post-UTME past questions from Babcock University Admissions Office on Post Unified Tertiary Admissions and Matriculation Examinations screening exercise (Post-UTME) for undergraduates in English and Linguistics. The test contains 20 objective English questions with optional answers. The instruments were validated through experts' advice as the items in the instrument are considered appropriate in terms of subject content and instructional objectives while Cronbach alpha technique was used to estimate the reliability coefficient of the English Proficiency test, a value of 0.883 was obtained. The research questions were answered with mean and standard deviation while hypothesis was tested with Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 alpha level. The findings of the study revealed that the mean value of the students' English Proficiency and pronunciation scores were 66.36 and 74.21% respectively, which showed that the students' English proficiency and pronunciation performance were above average and high result respectively; there was a significant positive relationship between proficiency in English Language and pronunciation performance of the students who participated in the study (r = 0.589; p < 0.05).
Introduction: Sedentary behavior and lack of physical exercise are one of the strongest risk factors for many chronic diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, colon cancer, and depression. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the combined and relative effect of socio-demographic characteristics and physical exercise (PE) training on the cardiovascular health of freshmen of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: The study was a quasi-experimental study that employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. An all-inclusive sampling method was used to select all 72 volunteers for a pre-exercise medical evaluation, and questionnaires were administered to 600 volunteers for pre and post-data. The respondents were treated with a six-week dose of regular daily selected physical activities. The post-test was conducted, recorded, and subjected to statistical analysis using inferential statistics. Results: The mean age was 18±1.89 with the age of 17 forming the largest group, i.e., 218 (36.3%). Females, 379(65.2%), were slightly more than their male counterparts, 221 (36.8%). The results of pre-exercise showed that some, 9 (12.2%), had normal body temperature. The respondents who were obese and over-weighted were 25 (33.8) and 20 (27.1), and respondents with high mean arterial pressure were 15 (20.3), respectively. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the respondents tested showed no significant difference (P>0.05) between the mean age, sex and marital status with respect to the blood sugar level, body temperature and the body mass index. MAP and irregular participation in physical activities were significant (P<0.05) among this group of students. The knowledge mean score (KMS) of 19.37±6.035 was high compared to a 27-point scale. There was no significant relationship between df=2, F=1.566 and P>0.005. Some, 160 (26.7%), had excellent overall physical health, and 173 (28.8%) had good overall physical health. There were significant interactional effects (F= 59.276, mean score within group 1.60, df 2, p = .000, R = -282) between groups and time for perceived benefits, interpersonal norms, social support, counter heart conditioning, stimulus control, and overall time spent on being physically active per week. Conclusion: In conclusion, a correlation was observed between the predictive factors and cardiovascular diseases; it was recommended that all students should be encouraged to engage in regular PE at a level appropriate to their capacities, needs, and interests to maintain optimal cardiovascular health status.
The increased pressure on the poultry industry to encourage organic livestock and poultry production has stimulated increased interest in natural consumer accepted growth promoters. Most of the information on the benefits of turmeric and clove concentrate on broiler chickens and there is no documentation on the synergistic effect of turmeric and clove. This study was conducted to assess the effect of Turmeric, Clove and Turmeric + Clove on haematological and serum biochemical indices of pullet chicks. A total of 504, day old pullet chicks (Isa brown) were used for the experiment. The Chicks were divided into 36 groups of 14 each weighed and allotted into experimental units. A total of nine experimental diets were formulated such that they contained 0, 1 and 2% turmeric, 0, 1 and 2% clove, and 0, 1 and 2% turmeric + clove combination on a 1:1 basis, respectively. The chicks in the different experimental units were randomly assigned to the 9 experimental diets in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement (turmeric x clove x turmeric + clove: 0 x 1 x 2), replicated four times. The experiment lasted 56 days. Blood samples were collected from the wing vein at the 56th day of the experiment and evaluated for their haematological and serum biochemical indices. Birds fed turmeric and clove diets had significantly (p<0.05) higher PCV value than those fed turmeric + clove diet while those fed turmeric had significantly (p<0.05) higher Hb and RBC than the other treatment groups. The other parameters measured were unaffected by the treatments except for the significantly (p<0.05) higher MCV value in birds fed clove diet when compared with turmeric diet group. Birds fed diets containing 2% turmeric, clove or turmeric + clove had significantly (p<0.05) higher Hb and RBC, and lower MCV values than those fed 0 and 1% diets. Inclusion of clove in the diet significantly (p<0.05) decreased the creatinine value of the birds when compared with the turmeric and turmeric + clove diet groups but all the other parameters determined were unaffected. Birds fed 0% turmeric, clove or turmeric + clove had significantly (p<0.05) lower total protein, albumin, globulin, ALP and higher glucose, AST, uric acid, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL values than those fed 1 and 2% diets. Birds fed the 1% turmeric diet recorded the least cholesterol value, across the treatment groups. It was concluded that up to 2% turmeric, clove and TUM+CLV can be included in pullet chick's diet without any detrimental effect on their health status. La pression accrue exercée sur l'industrie avicole pour encourager l'élevage biologique et la production avicole a stimulé un intérêt accru pour les promoteurs de sa croissance acceptés par les consommateurs naturels. La plupart des informations sur les avantages du curcuma et du clou de girofle se concentrent sur les poulets de gril et il n'y a aucune documentation sur l'effet synergique du curcuma et du clou de girofle. Cette étude a été menée pour évaluer l'effet du curcuma, du clou de girofle et du curcuma + clou de girofle sur les indices biochimiques hématologiques et sériques des poussins pullet. Un total de 504 poussins de poulet d'un jour (Isa brown) ont été utilisés pour l'expérience. Les poussins ont été divisés en 36 groupes de 14 chacun pesés et attribués en unités expérimentales. Un total de neuf régimes expérimentaux ont été formulés de telle sorte qu'ils contenaient 0, 1 et 2% de curcuma, 0, 1 et 2% clou de girofle, et 0, 1 et 2% de curcuma + combinaison de clous de girofle sur une base 1:1, respectivement. Les poussins des différentes unités expérimentales ont été assignés au hasard aux 9 régimes expérimentaux dans un arrangement factorial de 3 x 3 (curcuma x clou de girofle x curcuma + clou de girofle : 0 x 1 x 2), répliqué quatre fois. L'expérience a duré 56 jours. Des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés dans la veine de l'aile au 56e jour de l'expérience et évalués pour leurs indices biochimiques hématologiques et sériques. Les oiseaux nourris au curcuma et aux clous de girofle avaient une valeur de PCV significativement (p<0.05) plus élevée que ceux nourris au curcuma + clou de girofle, tandis que ceux nourris au curcuma avaient significativement (p<0.05) plus élevé Hb et RBC que les autres groupes de traitement. Les autres paramètres mesurés n'ont pas été affectés par les traitements, à l'exception de la valeur significativement (p<0.05) plus élevée de MCV chez les oiseaux nourris au régime de clou de girofle par rapport au groupe de régime de curcuma. Les oiseaux nourris avec un régime alimentaire contenant 2 % de curcuma, de clou de girofle ou de curcuma + clou de girofle avaient des taux de Hb et de RBC considérablement (p<0.05) plus élevés, et des valeurs de MCV inférieures à celles des régimes nourris à 0 et 1 %. L'inclusion du clou de girofle dans le régime alimentaire de manière significative (p<0.05) a diminué la valeur créatinine des oiseaux par rapport aux groupes de régime de curcuma et de curcuma + clou de girofle, mais tous les autres paramètres déterminés n'ont pas été affectés. Les oiseaux nourris à 0 % de curcuma, de clou de girofle ou de curcuma + clou de girofle avaient des valeurs significativement (p<0.05) inférieures au total des protéines, de l'albumine, de la globuline, de l'ALP et du glucose plus élevé, de l'AST, de l'acide urique, du triglycéride, du LDL et du VLDL que ceux nourris à 1 et 2 %. Les oiseaux nourris au régime de 1 % de curcuma ont enregistré la valeur de cholestérol la moins élevée dans les groupes de traitement. Il a été conclu que jusqu'à 2% de curcuma, clou de girofle et TUM +CLV peuvent être inclus dans le régime alimentaire du poussin pullet sans aucun effet néfaste sur leur état de santé.
The use of conventional supplements as feed additives has been criticized for their potential negative impact on the food chain hence, the need for viable organic alternatives. Centella asiatica has been found to contain essential phytochemicals. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the utilization of dried Centella asiatica leaf meal (CALM) as phytogenic feed additive in broiler chicken diet. A total of 180, one-day-old Arbor acre broiler chicks were randomly allocated to six dietary treatment groups with thirty birds, at three replicates of ten chicks per replicate. Experimental diets included control basal diet + 0% CALM (T1), basal diet + antibiotics (T2). T3, T4, T5 and T6 were basal diet + 3%, 4%, 5% and 6% CALM respectively. Experiment was designed using completely randomized design. Feeding trial was carried out for 49 days. Parameters measured included growth nperformance and carcass characteristics. All data were subjected to analysis of variance using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 21) while treatments means were nseparated using Duncan's multiple range test at P≥0.05 level of significance. There wer significant differences in final live weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Birds fed with 4% CALM had the highest weight gain (1,683.30g) and feed intakes (3,295.30g), while T3 had the lowest weight gain (1,446.70.30g) and feed intake (3,107.80g). The breast cut showed significant (P<0.05) variation across the treatment with treatment T2 having the largest value of 31.9% and lowest value of 26.0% was in T3, thigh showed highest value in T5 and lowest value in T4. Gizzard values obtained in this finding showed significant (P<0.05) value ranged from 1.8-2.6% the highest value was obtained in T3 and lowest value in control diet. It can be concluded that the inclusion of Centella asiatica in the diets of broiler chicken has no detrimental effect on the performance characteristics of the experimental birds but improved the average body weight, feed conversion ratio and livability of the birds at 4% level of inclusion.
Background: Despite widespread concerns about its possible side effects, notably on the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which mediates cognitive processes, the use of Cannabis sativa as a medicinal and recreational drug is expanding exponentially. This study evaluated possible behavioral alterations, neurotransmitter levels, histological, and immunohistochemical changes in the PFC of Wistar rats exposed to Cannabis sativa. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of graded doses of Cannabis sativa on the PFC using behavioural, histological, and immunohistochemical approaches. Methods: Twenty-eight juvenile male Wistar rats weighing between 70 g and 100 g were procured and assigned into groups A-D ( n = 7 each). Group A served as control which received distilled water only as a placebo; rats in groups B, C, and D which were the treatment groups were orally exposed to graded doses of Cannabis sativa (10 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg, respectively). Rats in all experimental groups were exposed to Cannabis sativa for 21 days, followed by behavioral tests using the open field test for locomotor, anxiety, and exploratory activities, while the Y-maze test was for spatial memory assessment. Rats for biochemical analysis were cervically dislocated and rats for tissue processing were intracardially perfused following neurobehavioral tests. Sequel to sacrifice, brain tissues were excised and prefrontal cortices were obtained for the neurotransmitter (glutamate, acetylcholine, and dopamine) and enzymatic assay (Cytochrome C oxidase (CcO) and Glucose 6- Phosphate Dehydrogenase-G-6-PDH). Brain tissues were fixed in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin (NBF) for histological demonstration of the PFC cytoarchitecture using H&E and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) for astrocyte evaluation. Results: Glutamate and dopamine levels were significantly increased ( F = 24.44, P = .0132) in groups D, and B, C, and D, respectively, compared to control; likewise, the activities of CcO and G-6-PDH were also significantly elevated ( F = 96.28, P = .0001) ( F = 167.5, P = .0001) in groups C and D compared to the control. Cannabis sativa impaired locomotor activity and spatial memory in B and D and D, respectively. All Cannabis sativa exposed groups demonstrated evidence of neurodegeneration in the exposed groups; GFAP immunoexpression was evident in all groups with a marked increase in group D. Conclusion: Cannabis sativa altered neurotransmitter levels, energy metabolism, locomotor, and exploratory activity, and spatial working memory, with neuronal degeneration as well as reactive astrogliosis in the PFC.
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