Assessing eLearning systems success in Nigeria: an application of the DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model

Aim/Purpose: This study is based on the DeLone and McLean's Information Systems Success (D & M ISS) model, which was modified to determine the success factors re-sponsible for the acceptance of an e-learning system called Canvas by students of a Nigerian University. Background: The adoption of eLearning has been under studied within the context of devel-oping countries. There have been calls in the literature for further research from a developing country perspective. This study attempts to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the factors responsible for students' adoption of eLearning in a Nigerian University. Methodology: The study was built on the premise that system quality (SQ), service quality (ServQ) and information quality (IQ) are determinants of behavioral intention to use Canvas and user satisfaction of Canvas, both of which in turn influence the actual usage of Canvas. Responses from 366 students were analyzed with AMOS 22 using structural equation model (SEM) to test the relationships be-tween the constructs of the proposed model. Contribution: The study contributes to the research gap about the paucity of studies in the adoption of eLearning in developing countries that have placed emphasis on the use of eLearning systems or on the software quality attributes of the sys-tems under investigation. Findings: The results partially supported the effect of the quality antecedents on behav-ioral intention and user satisfaction of students. There was full support for the relationship between behavioral intention and user satisfaction of students on their actual usage of Canvas. Recommendations for Practitioners: The level of significance of the constructs identified in the study will guide the formulation of strategies and methods that could further enhance the adoption of eLearning systems in developing countries, specifically Nigeria. Recommendation for Researchers: Theoretically, the study contributes to the body of knowledge on eLearning adoption by empirically validating the DeLone and McLean model in a different context, specifically sub-Saharan Africa. Future Research: Future research could investigate the factors that influence instructors' behav-ioral intentions to use eLearning applications and also the effect that the in-structors have on students' adoption of eLearning

Reaction of some selected soy bean varieties (Glycine max (L)Merril)to root -knot nematode infection

Two-year screen-house studies to evaluate the reaction of five soybean varieties (TGX – 1987 – 34F, TGX -1987 – 38F, TGX – 1987 – 95F, TGX – 1986 -3F, TGX – 1985 – 8F) to root – knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, were conducted in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin. Forty experimental pots containing pasteurized soil were used. Twenty pots were inoculated each with approximately 3,000 eggs of M. incognita while the other twenty which did not receive any treatment served as control. The experimental set up was a completely randomized design having each treatment replicated four times. Results showed that all the varieties were susceptible to M. incognita at varying degrees. While plant height of nematode inoculated varieties were significantly (P=0.05) lower than the un-inoculated plants, among the same varieties, there were significant differences in the number of branches of inoculated and non inoculated plants between different and among the same varieties. There were varietal differences in terms of seed weight which represented actual yield. Generally, the un-innoculated plants gave significantly higher yield than inoculated ones. Root gall infestation rated the same level for all the five varieties. However, variety TGX-1985 – 8F exhibited superior characteristics over the other four varieties because it showed higher level of tolerance to nematode infestation judging from its performance and yield. From the study, it can be deduced that the use of nematode resistant/tolerant Soybean varieties be adopted in the management of root- knot nematode infestation. It is one of the cheapest and safest control methods that pose no form of hazard to man and the environment. In nematode endemic ecological zones, TGX-1985 – 8F is therefore recommended as it proved to contain some specialized genes that conferred a higher level of tolerance against root- knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. Key Words: Glycine max, root – knot nematode, Dominant loci, Mi – 1.2, leucine zipper and R genes

Microbial analysis of leafy vegetables in iceless cooling facility

Against the background that leafy vegetables stored under ambient conditions are influenced by environmental factors which may cause significant quality loss in terms of freshness, colour, texture and composition, the iceless cooler was used to evaluate microbial load of leafy vegetables. The samples were evaluated for bacterial (coliforms and mesophiles) and fungal (mold and yeast) loads. Results of the microbial test showed that Corchorus olitorius had highest mean microbial load with plate count of 6.7 x 104 CFU/g and Hibiscus sabdariffa had the least mean microbial load with plate count of 4.8 x 104 CFU/g after five days of storage. Corchorus olitorius show a significant increase of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci species after five days of storage. The ANOVA results showed that vegetables stored under ambient conditions were significantly different (p˂0.01) from those stored in the iceless cooler. The results also indicate that Amaranthus dubius recorded the highest mean weight of 1.94kg and maintained its freshness and colour for up to three days compared with Corchorus olitorius with the least weight of 1.84kg

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Suburban Community in Nigeria

The burden of hypertension, a silent killer, continues to increase in low- and middle-income countries. This study evaluated blood pressure (BP) in healthy adults to determine their risk of developing hypertension and to reduce associatedmorbidity of the disease. Overall, 182 subjects aged >16 years participated in the study. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was measured after a resting period usingmercury sphygmomanometer. Randomblood glucose (RBG) concentration was also determined. Regression models were used to determine risk of high BP wit

Nutritional Composition and Growth Performance of Fish Meal Supplemented with Sesame indicum (Beni Seed) in the Diets of Clarias gariepinus

This study analyzed the chemical compositions, growth performance and nutrient efficiency of fish meal supplemented with varying percentage of S. indicum). A total of 150 of C. gariepinus fingerlings were grouped into 6 tanks with 20 C. gariepinus per tank. Each tank of fish was served with prepared fish meals supplemented with various levels of beniseed (S. indicum), namely, DT1 (commercial diet), stand as the control group, DT2 (0% beniseed with 100% soya bean meal, DT3 (25% beniseed with 75% soya bean meal, DT4 (50% beniseed with 50% soya bean, DT5 (75% beniseed with 25% soya bean and DT6 (100% beniseed with 0% soya bean, individually. Chemical compositions of each experimental diet and fish carcass were determined and the feed utilization by fishes was equally monitored and calculated. Higher levels of moisture content (7.42%), crude fiber (4.24%), total ash (3.16%), crude protein and fat (29.21 and 30.01%) and carbohydrate (27.21%) were established for the dietary group (DT6) as compared to other dietary groups. In contrast, the fish carcass moisture, crude fiber, and total ash contents were high in fish fed DT4 and DT2 compared to others. Elevated calcium (760.7 and 763.6 mg/100g), phosphorus (683.4 and 685.1 mg/100g), sodium (302.4 and 303.4 mg/100g), potassium (820.6 and 825 mg/100g) and iron (32.67 and 37.31 mg/100g) contents were noted in DT5 and DT6 than the other diets. The fish carcass fed DT6 were richer in calcium (803 mg/100g), phosphorus (5023 mg/100g), sodium (492 mg/100g), potassium (6313 mg/100g) and iron (5.12 mg/100g) than the others. C. gariepinus fed DT6 recorded high weight gains (45.64 mg) while fish DT4 had a value of length gain (1.80 cm). Higher significant values were observed for SGR (54.33%), PER (2.47%), FI (2.85%) and SR (80.23%) as feed utilization in fish fed DT6. However, experimental diets (DT5 and DT6) with 75 and 100% S. indicum inclusion look promising and would enhance adequate growth performance and nutrient utilization of C. gariepinus, which may be used for the development of the product in various food industries. Keywords: C. gariepinus, fish meal, feed efficiency, growth performance, S. indicum

Acetaminophen Induces Mitochondrial Permeability Transition in Rats Without Causing Necrotic Liver Damage

Mitochondrial Permeability Transition (MPT) is reported as the mechanism of acetaminophen induced hepatic damage, however, rat models are resistant to acetaminophen induced toxicity. The occurrence and degree of mitochondrial permeability transition after treatment with 400 mg kgG1 of acetaminophen in albino Wistar rats were assessed. Animals were randomly distributed into seven groups; control, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 h based on varying time (in hour) post acetaminophen prior to sacrifice after treatment. Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability Transition (MMPT) pore opening and mitochondrial cytochrome c release were estimated. Opening of MMPT pore and cytochrome c release were observed in 12, 24, 36 and 72 h, when compared with the control group. Liver function and histological results indicated no liver damage. It is concluded that toxic dose of acetaminophen induced mitochondrial permeability transition in rat hepatic tissues without leading to necrotic damage suggesting that rat hepatic tissues evade damage by mechanisms downstream of MPT

Employee Commitment and Retention among Medical Doctors and Nurses in University Teaching Hospitals in North-Western Nigeria

Employee commitment and retention are two axioms associated with productivity and stability of employment in organizations. This concept is much more important in the health sector. This study investigates the relationships between each dimension of employee commitment and retention as well as determines their combined influence on retention among doctors and nurses in University Teaching Hospitals in North-Western Nigeria. The study uses cross sectional survey data collected in 2015 from 441 respondents drawn through multi-stage sampling technique. The data was analysed using correlation and regression techniques. The results, in line with multidimensional theory of commitment, indicate that employee commitment dimensions (affective, continuance and normative) are significantly related to retention. Contrary to findings of some previous studies, however, normative commitment is more prevalent in affecting retention than affective commitment. The study, therefore, recommends that management should foster and sustain high levels of affective and normative commitments among employees. Critical working tools should also be made readily available and the overall working environment be made conducive in order to enhance their commitment and retention. Key Words: Employee Commitment, Retention, Management, Teaching Hospitals, Nigeria

Capital Structure and Profitability of Deposit Money Banks: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

The banking sector consolidation exercise that took place in Nigeria in 2005 did not only reduce the number of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) but diversified their capital structure and adjusted their regulatory capital requirements. Given these developments, it is imperative that the DMBs determine the most optimal financing mix which minimises the cost of financing as well as maximises returns. This study empirically examined the impact of capital structure (owners’ funds and borrowed funds) on bank profitability in Nigeria. Applying autoregressive distributed lag model on a sample of 13 DMBs from 2005 through 2014, the study found that about 83 per cent of total assets employed by the DMBs are not financed by owners, confirming the hypothesis that banks are highly levered institutions. Consistent with the agency and static trade-off theories of capital structure and earlier empirical findings in Nigeria, the results further found evidence of a positive and significant influence of both owners’ and borrowed funds on profitability. However, borrowed funds was found to be more prevalent in enhancing the performance of DMBs during the study period. Following these findings therefore, the study recommends that DMBs should study and understand the dynamics of capital structure to enable them make optimal capital mix decision. In addition, since debt is more critical in boosting profitability of banks in Nigeria, DMBs should employ more debt than equity in financing real investment with positive net present values. The management and board of directors of DMBs should incentivise lenders and depositors so as to enhance easy access to funds other than shareholders’. Additional incentives on depositors’ and creditors’ funds such as increase in their returns are capable of attracting more funds from the investing public to create assets. Key Words: Capital Structure, Owners’ Funds, Borrowed Funds, Gross Earnings, Deposit Money Banks, Nigeri

Money, Exchange Rate, Prices and Output in Nigeria: A Test of the P-Star Model

The search for robust model to predict inflation within a QTM framework gave birth to P-star model which has attracted less attention of researchers and practitioners in Nigeria. This study applied the methodology to high frequency Nigerian data from 1995M1 to 2018M6 to determine the validity of the model for Nigeria using error correction model (ECM). The result supports the working of the model but with slight modification. The modification centres on the incorporation of foreign price gap, (open economy view of inflation), reserve money (Friedmanic/monetarist view), price per litre of petroleum motor spirit (PMS) and output gap (Structuralist view). With this modification, P-star model proved to be a viable inflation forecasting alternative model for Nigeria. Consequently, the Central Bank of Nigeria is advised to consider adopting this modified version of the model to forecast inflation for Nigeria at least as a complimentary model to be used side-by-side with the existing forecasting model of the Bank. This will no doubt enhance the efficacy of the monetary policy of the Bank as such policies will be predicated on sufficient information, particularly on the future path of inflation