Measuring institutional support strategies and faculty job effectiveness.

This study examines the influence of institutional support strategies on the effectiveness of Faculty core job responsibilities in some selected public universities in Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the assessment of the subject matter. Six hundred (600) respondents were surveyed across all the colleges/faculties of universities selected in Nigeria with the use of stratified sampling technique. Only four hundred and twenty nine (429) copies of questionnaire representing (71.5%) response rate were returned and used for this study. Structural Equation Model (AMOS 22) was used for the analysis to find the influence institutional support initiative on efficacy of job responsibilities of Faculty. Results show research support, pedagogical support and technical support are predictors of Faculty responsiveness to quality research productivity, quality knowledge sharing and administrative efficiency. The study emphasised the need for review of the various institutional support in order to determine the appropriateness and relevance of the initiative. The study contributes to the exiting knowledge in HRM and Facility job performance. The insights from this study would be of great value to the management of universities, and other stakeholders to develop and invest in appropriate institutional support that will enhance job effectiveness of Faculty members.

Geophysical characterization of abandoned dumpsite soil properties for pre- foundation delineation at Bowen University Campus, Iwo, Nigeria

ABSTRACT: Geophysical investigation and microstudy of soil properties were carried out within Bowen University, for the characterization of the subsurface pattern in the area using vertical electrical sounding (VES) survey and evaluation of soil properties with a view to mapping subsurface geological features, such as weak and competent zones and to determine the overburden thickness of the area for pre-foundation studies for a proposed high-rise building. Four(4) VES was carried out in the study area employing schlumberger electrode configuration. The data collected were used to curve match and the results used for subsequent interpretation to reveal the depth, thickness and resistivity of the study area. In addition, soil samples were collected from three (3) selected points located at the entrance, centre and the end of the study area at about a depth 0-60 cm. Consequently, the VES results were presented as resist graph, which revealed the range of values for the depth (1.3 ­ 24.5), thickness (1.3 ­ 15.4 m) and resistivity (357.4 - 6311.6 ohms), which was later used to generated the geoelectric maps of the study area. It was also observed that the result of the soil properties revealed that all the samples taken from the study area have low bulk density (1.41 g/cm3, 1.26 g/cm3, 1.36 g/cm3), high particle density (2.81 g/cm3, 2.94 g/cm3, 3.16 g/cm3), and high porosity (49.64%, 57.22%, 57.03%). In conclusion, it was observed that erection of high-rise building is not advisable within the study area since the results showed that the overburden (depth to basement) is generally thick mostly greater than 15 m. Also revealed from the microstudy of soil properties is that foundation stability should be properly managed, since a porous soil does not accommodate engineering activities except when an artificial basement is put in place

Job design and behavioural outcome of employees in agricultural research training, Ibadan, Nigeria.

This study focused on the relationship between job design and behavioural outcomes of employees in Agricultural Research Training, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was quantitative and the items in the questionnaire were adapted from previous studies. A total of 227 respondents were surveyed and statistical regression models were used to examine the relationship between the independent variables (job design) and dependent variables (employee behavioural outcomes). The findings showed that 14.4% of the variance in job design dimensions can explain the variance in employee behavioural outcome. The model revealed that task identity, sense of autonomy and skill variety had more statistical significance in predicting employee behavioural outcome, recording the highest beta value than other variables such as task significance and feedback mechanisms. The model indicates that the strength of regression weights of paths has a strong direction.

Data on perception of faculty members on the influence of faculty support initiatives on the efficacy of job responsibilities.

The main objective of this survey is to present data on the perception of the influence of faculty support initiatives on efficacy of job responsibilities using six private university in Nigeria as case study. The population of the study included all faculty members of selected private universities with a total of 1912 faculty members. A sample size of 500 were selected to participate in the survey based on the outcome of the sample size determination formula suggested by Falola et al. (2016) [5]. The validity and reliability of the research instrument were carried out. Regression analysis and structural equation modeling were used as statistical tool of analysis. It is believed that when the data is analysed, it will give insight into how faculty support initiatives of various universities can help in enhancing the effectiveness of job responsibilities.

Effects of replacing groundnut cake with rumen content supplemented with or without enzyme in the diet of weaner rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Rabbits are also herbivores which efficiently convert fodder to food. They are prolific and converter of plant proteins of little or no use to people as food into high-value animal protein. Rabbit meat is high in protein, low in calories and low in fat and cholesterol contents, being considered as a delicacy and a healthy food product. Feeding rabbits with concentrates is expensive and therefore in order to reduce cost of production, hence the use of rumen content in this study as alternative feedstuff without competition. METHODS: A total of thirty six (36) weaner rabbits (oryctalagus cuniculus) of different body weight and age where use in this experiment to determine the effects of replacing rumen content with or without enzyme supplementation for groundnut cake. This feeding trial which lasted for 8 weeks was carried out in order to determine the replacement value of groundnut cake with rumen content with or without enzyme in the diet of weaner rabbit. A 3x2 factorial experiment was adopted such that there where three (3) replacement level of rumen content (0, 25 and 50 %) for groundnut cake by two supplemental level (no enzyme and enzyme supplement). RESULTS: The results showed that increased inclusion level of rumen content has significant effects (p < 0.05) on daily feed intake, rate of weight gain, feed to gain ratio, nitrogen retention, faecal nitrogen, total nitrogen output and nitrogen digestibility. The weight gained by rabbits fed on 0, 25 and 50 % were all comparable (p > 0.05) with weight gained value of 7.62,7.44 and 7.36 g respectively. Similarly there was a significant (p < 0.05) effect of supplement added on the body weight gain of the experimental animals. There was significant effect (p < 0.05) of the diet on the obtained feed to gain ratio. However, there was no significant effect (p > 0.05) of the treatment on urinary nitrogen. Significant (p < 0.05) effects of supplementation was observed on the feed intake, weight gain, feed to gain ratio, faecal nitrogen, nitrogen retention and nitrogen digestibility but there was no significant effects (p > 0.05) of the supplementation on the nitrogen intake. The interaction between the varying levels of rumen content supplementation had significant effects (p < 0.05) on the feacal nitrogen, feed intake and feed to gain ratio but no significant (p < 0.05) effects on interaction of nitrogen intake. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, since the results from this study showed no negative effects on the performance of the experimental animals, the test ingredient can be used as alternative feedstuff at a lower inclusion level so as to reduce production cost and expand rabbit production.

DESMOPLASTIC SMALL ROUND BLUE CELL TUMOUR OF THE ABDOMEN - A CASE REPORT.

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour (DSRCT) is an uncommon malignant type of Small Round Blue Cell tumours with less than 200 cases reported in literature. Notorious for its aggressiveness, its commonest site of affectation is the abdomen, with a predilection for peritoneal cavity and prone to spread to multiple organs. We report a case of a 26-year old male undergraduate who presented with a 6-month history of progressive abdominal swelling associated with abdominal pain, weight loss, and change in bowel habits. He was cachectic with dyspnoea, bilateral pitting pedal oedema, a grossly distended and a palpable huge firm mass measuring 20 x 15cm. Immunohistochemisttry confirmed a diagnosis of DSRCT. An abdominopelvic Computed Tomography (CT) scan showed extensive abdominal and pelvic disease with pulmonary and liver metastases. He could only tolerate one course of chemotherapy due to deteriorating renal function. It ran an aggressive course of 9 months from onset of symptoms to eventual demise of the patient. CONCLUSION: Desmoplastic Small Round Blue Cell Tumour is an uncommon and fatal disease, with no significant improvement in survival despite aggressive multimodality therapy. A high index of suspicion and Immunohistochemistry for accurate diagnosis as well as prompt and effective treatment will improve outcome.

Ovarian Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma presenting as obstructive jaundice - a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the importance of considering abdominal Lymphoma as a differential diagnosis in the management of obstructive jaundice. PATIENT: A 51 year old female who presented with abdominal swelling associated with features of obstructive jaundice. Significant findings included jaundice on examination, with abdominal ascites. Laparotomy revealed three litres of icteric fluid. There was a huge left ovarian tumour measuring 14cm x 12cm. Massive peritoneal seedling involved the whole abdomen and pelvis was noted. Following surgery allowing for adequate wound healing, the patient was placed on appropriate chemotherapy. INVESTIGATION/DIAGNOSIS: Histology of excision biopsy revealed high grade Non-Hodgkins's Lymphoma. Screening for human deficiency virus (HIV) was negative. However the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was raised at 92 mm Westergren in the first hour. The liver function tests were deranged with total bilirubin of 274 mmol/l and conjugated bilirubin of 204 mmol. serum Ast and Alt were also significantly raised. Total proteins, urea and electrolytes remained essentially within normal limits. The patient was placed on CHOP combination therapy. She attained remission after four cycles of chemotherapy and was discharged home. CONCLUSION: Abdominal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma should be a strong consideration in the management of obstructive jaundice.

Ovarian non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as obstructive jaundice - a case report.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the importance of considering abdominal Lymphoma as a differential diagnosis in the management of obstructive jaundice. PATIENT: A 51 year old female who presented with abdominal swelling associated with features of obstructive jaundice. Significant findings included jaundice on examination, with abdominal ascites. Laparotomy revealed three litres of icteric fluid. There was a huge left ovarian tumour measuring 14 cm x 12 cm. Massive peritoneal seedling involved the whole abdomen and pelvis was noted. Following surgery allowing for adequate wound healing, the patient was placed on appropriate chemotherapy. INVESTIGATION/DIAGNOSIS: Histology of excision biopsy revealed high grade Non-Hodgkins's Lymphoma. Screening for human deficiency virus (HIV) was negative. However the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was raised at 92 mm Westergren in the first hour. The liver function tests were deranged with total bilirubin of 274 micromol/l and conjugated bilirubin of 204 micromol. serum Ast and Alt were also significantly raised. Total proteins, urea and electrolytes remained essentially within normal limits. The patient was placed on CHOP combination therapy. She attained remission after four cycles of chemotherapy and was discharged home. CONCLUSION: Abdominal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma should be a strong consideration in the management of obstructive jaundice.

Should we continue screening rhesus D positive women for the development of atypical antibodies in late pregnancy?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to calculate the incidence of the new development of atypical antibodies (other than anti-rhesus D) in women attending for antenatal care, and to assess the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of a second test to detect these antibodies. METHOD: A three-year retrospective analysis was undertaken to calculate the number of rhesus positive women who developed new antibodies in the last trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS: Of 13,143 rhesus positive women, 20 (0.15%) developed new antibodies; fetal outcome was not compromised in any of these cases. CONCLUSION: Repeat testing in late pregnancy would appear an unnecessary expense in our population.