Student Governance and the Academic Minefield During COVID-19 Lockdown in South Africa

Since 1997, the ordinary students at South African universities have depended on the SRC to be at the forefront of student advocacy in relation to resources to support their academic experiences. The onset of the lockdown on the eve of 26th March 2020 had an unprecedented effect on student life, with a change of student governance from cohesion to isolation. Adopting a snowball sampling methodology, 15 students registered at various South African universities were interviewed via WhatsApp about the support they received from their SRC during the COVID-19 lockdown. The impact of the lockdown on student governance is examined through the lens of ordinary students. Findings suggest that the surge to technology-based modes of interaction and self-regulated learning had a resultant effect of a highly compromised academic experience, even though some were able to adapt to online learning. Adjusted approaches to student governance are inevitable as the coronavirus continues to manifest.

Integrating 21st Century Competencies Into a Digital Teaching and Learning Model

Globalization and technology are two features of the modern world impacting all activity, and the resultant effect on education is causing much to be questioned about the teaching and learning paradigm. Ways in which the learning experience must change in response to changing global demands placed on societies and economies forms a large part of the current discourse around reforming education. This chapter puts forward a definition of globalization, 21st century skills, and the four main competencies known as the 4Cs, and then makes links between these phenomena as a way of understanding the digitization of education. The connections are possible through a process of gathering reflections and experiences from experienced educational practitioners.

The Structural Changing Phases of Ifẹ̀ Festivals and Tradition Towards Economic Boost and Cultural Tourism

Festivals provide information on the origin of beliefs, historical antecedents, socio-cultural and socio-political desires, meant for bonding. The resultant effect of participation in festivals enables the participants to protect and sustain the festivals. However, our research informs that a number of the official festival activities with the tones of its referred sacredness in Ilé-Ifè, which ̣ is the domain of data collection and subject of our analysis, are being restructured in outlook and content to boost the economic survival of the people; and for cultural tourism. Tis essay seeks to interrogate these structural reforms, with the mind of identifying improved areas of the age-long tradition, the philosophy of the festival, and the economic value added. The apparatus of analysis shall premise on cultural semiotics and sociology of literature.

Ecological Adaptation of Endemic Anthocleista Species under Moisture Gradient in Parts of Niger Delta, Nigeria

Background: Knowledge of the anatomy of Anthocleista species is crucial for understanding how these plants adapt to the environment. Aim: This study was aimed at investigating the adaptive relationship of moisture gradient influence on the anatomy of four species in the genus Anthocleista (A djalonesis A Chev; A. liebrechtsiana De Wild & Th.Dur; A. nobilis G.Don; and A. vogelii Planch) in light of ecological niche adaptation. Place of Study: parts of Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers States in the Niger Delta. Methods: Conventional classical anatomical techniques for structural sectioning were used. Results: Though there are similarities and differences in vascular structure among the species, the study has revealed variance in anatomical responses to moisture gradient (ranging from dry mesophytic to mesophytic and wetland conditions) of adaptation. The most important and distinct features observed are the presence of sclerenchymatous idioblast, air sacs and sclereidal idioblast. Sclerenchymatous idioblasts are numerous in A liebrechtsiana, few in A. nobilis and A. vogelii but lacking in A. djalonesis. The sclerenchymatous idioblast in A. liebrechtsiana, A. nobilis, and A. vogelii confirmed these species to be mesophytic to semi-aquatic in their habitat adaptation; while A. djalonesis is dry-mesophytic in adaptation with thicker epidermal layer, multiple hypodermal layers, thicker mesophyll tissues with increased number of palisade layers and thick leaves. The stem and root modification had abundance sclereidal idioblast distribution in A. liebrechtsiana, and A. nobilis, moderate in A. vogelii and very low in A. djalonesis. Conclusion: The variation observed in the leaf, petiole, stem and root anatomical characters are due to moisture gradient influence with the resultant effect of plant species evolving structures such as idioblast and modification to adapt to the niche and environment where they find themselves.

TOTAL AND DISTRIBUTIVE IMPACT OF FINAL SECTORAL DEMAND ON CARBON DIOXIDE EQUIVALENT IN NIGERIA

This paper analyzed the percentage rise in final (sectoral) demand undergone by the whole economy in reaction to a 1% rise of the corresponding sector and the percentage rise corresponding to the apportionment of direct sectoral demand and its resultant effect on CO2-eq emissions in Nigeria. The study adopted a longitudinal design, and the most recent input-output (I-O) table was obtained from secondary sources (Eurostat database). Results revealed increases in CO2-eq emissions from the fishing, post and telecommunication, wood and paper, petroleum, chemical and non-metallic mineral products, metal products, electricity, gas and water, wholesale trade, and public administration sectors with a total contribution of 0.04095, 0.04095, 0.04089, 0.04088, 0.04086, 0.04089, 0.04088 and 0.04087 percent respectively, while sectors that contributed the highest in terms of the distribution of direct sectoral emissions were fishing, mining/quarrying and textile/wearing apparel accounting for about 0.04101, 0.04109 and 0.04111 percent respectively. That implies a 1% increase in final demand was increasing in the corresponding sector. Based on these results, the study identified sectors that contribute the highest in terms of the distribution of direct sectoral emission and sectors that account for the highest total increase in energy consumed in the country, thus contributing to the current debate in the literature. However, emission mitigation options proposed by the IPCC report should be considered an important option in curbing these emissions in Nigeria.

HATE SPEECH AND ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CONCLICTS IN NIGERIA: Implications for Political Stability

While freedom of expression or free speech is a fundamental human right of all, hate speech heralds danger for a country. Using a qualitative research approach, this study examines the connection between hate speech, ethnoreligious conflicts, and political stability in Nigeria. This study argues that the threat to internal security in Nigeria is a resultant effect of social injustice in the country. In Nigeria, hate speech has been on the increase instigating ethnic and religious sentiment, mistrust, and conflicts. The study suggests that peace social justice and political inclusion should be adopted in running the affairs of the nation.

Reducing the effects of Power Harmonics on Distribution Transformers using Simplex Optimization Technique

There have been incessant power failures in our power network, which has arisen as a result of over current, over voltage, harmonic distortion caused by ripples to mention a few, This could be overcome by determining the harmonic mean from a given harmonic distortion data ,optimizing the mean from a given distortion data, training the optimized result to minimize harmonic in power distribution transformer, designing a Simulink model for mitigating the resultant effect of harmonics which are the sinusoidal components of a complex wave, using simplex optimizationtechnique. The optimization technique used is 69% better than the conventional method like proportional integral derivative (PID) in terms of minimizing harmonic in power transformer.

Considering the Prospect of Utilizing Anaerobic Membrane Biofouling Layers Advantageously for the Removal of Emerging Contaminants

Membrane biofilm formation has traditionally been perceived as a wholly negative occurrence in membrane filtration-based wastewater treatment systems due to its resultant effect on transmembrane pressure and energy expenditure. This is the case for both membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems, generally, and anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs), specifically. Insight gained through recent research, however, has revealed a potentially positive aspect to biofouling in AnMBR systems—namely, the improved removal of certain emerging contaminants (both microbial and chemical) from wastewater that would not otherwise be retained by the microfiltration/ultrafiltration membranes that are commonly used. Although the exact reasons behind this are not yet understood, the biofilm-specific anaerobic microbial communities that develop on membrane surfaces may play a key role in the phenomenon. Mechanisms of biofouling development in AnMBRs have recently been proven distinctly different from those that govern fouling in aerobic MBR systems. Based on these differences, it may be possible to devise operational strategies that promote the development of anaerobic biofilms on membranes while also minimizing transmembrane pressure increases. If achievable, this would serve as a sustainable basis for reducing the release of emerging contaminants such as organic micropollutants (OMPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) with treated wastewater effluents.

Gait Score, Latency-to-Lie and their Association with Body Weight and Morphometric Measurements in Light and Heavy Genotypes of Domestic Turkey

Locomotion problems limit access to drinkers and feeders with a resultant effect on birds' survival and productivity. In this study, gait score (GS), latency-to-lie (LTL) and their association with body weight (BWT) and morphometric traits in light weight (Nigerian Local, NL) and heavy weight (Nicholas White, NW) strains of turkeys were evaluated. A total of two hundred day-old Nigerian local and Nicholas white poults were used for the study. Gait of poults were scored at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age using Kestin gait scoring system. Other parameters measured include latency-to-lie, body weight and morphometric traits at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. The results showed that poults with normal walking ability (GS=0) in the light strain Nigerian local declined slightly from 88.4 percent at week 4 to 85.0 percent at week 16, while poults with normal walking ability (GS=0) in Nicholas white declined from 81.1 at week 4 to 16.4 percent at week 16, respectively. The GS of Nicholas White was higher (p<0.05) than that of NL at 8 and 16 weeks of age. The LTL values decreased (1310.1- 555.7 seconds) with the age of birds and were higher (p<0.05) in NL at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age. Correlation (r =-0.256 to 0.278) between BWT and GS was significant (p<0.05) at weeks 8 and 12 in NW and at weeks 12 and 16 in NL. BWT was correlated (p<0.05) with body girth, keel length, femur length, shank diameter and Tibia Metatarsus in both genotypes. There was significant correlation (p<0.05) between LTL and GS (r= -0.36 to -0.87), BWT and LTL (r= -0.24 to 0.31), BWT and LM traits (r= 0.56 to 0.96) in both genotypes. It was concluded that GS and LTL are influenced by genotype and age of poults.