The Melting Pot

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITIONS OF RUELLIA BREVIFOLIA (CHRISTMAS PRIDE) LEAF

2024-02-04T08:27:26+00:00

Genus Ruellia are dicotyledonous plants that are primarily called Ruellias or wild petunias. Ruellia brevifolia is one of the known species of Ruellias that is used in traditional medicine. Phytochemical and nutritional compositions of Ruellia brevifolia leaf were investigated. The chemical constituents (phytochemicals, proximate and minerals) were determined using standard laboratory procedures. The proximate analysis was performed on the whole leaf while the phytochemical analysis and mineral elements contents were evaluated on the aqueous leaf extract. The proximate analysis of the plant sample revealed the percentage of moisture, crude protein, carbohydrate and ash in the descending order. The extract showed the concentrations of phenols ˃ flavonoids ˃ alkaloids ˃ glycosides ˃ saponins ˃ tannins ˃ terpenoids ˃ hydrogen cyanide and sterols as phyto constituents. The extract also revealed the concentrations of Mg ˃ Ca ˃ Na ˃ Zn ˃ Fe ˃ P ˃ Mn ˃ NO- and Cu as mineral compositions. The results show that R. brevifolia has bioactive compounds that could be pharmacologically useful in the treatment and management of various diseases. From the results, the plant leaf is also nutritionally rich and as such could be used as food or supplement for body nourishment and disease prevention or treatment. It is recommended that further research should be conducted to determine its anti-nutrient compositions and its pharmacological effects on certain disease conditions. The locals are encouraged to use R. brevifolia leaves as medicinal herbs and food supplements.

HOOLIGANISM AND VIOLENCE AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTHS

2024-02-04T08:48:17+00:00

The study examines hooliganism and violence among the Nigerian youth with the purpose of developing interventions to promote sustainable peace in Onitsha, Anambra State, of Nigeria. Onitsha was regarded as the most “peaceful” mega city in the south eastern geo-political zone due to rare outburst of violence and criminality. However, in the recent past, the peaceful atmosphere of Onitsha has been under serious threat owing to frequent outburst of youth violence, particularly in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods (SDNs). Consequently, youth violence has attracted the attention of policy makers and stakeholders in the State, thereby occupying an important space in local discourses.This study adopted descriptive survey research design, the population is the people living in Onitsha, the targeted size consists of 350 respondents from major cities in Onitsha between the ages of 18 and 45 years, 299 questionnaires were properly filled and returned which served as the sample size. The data was analyzed with simple percentage. The investigation reveals that the hooliganism and youth violence in Onitsha has a historical antecedence and traceable to socio-economic, socio-political and bad governance issues. The study concluded that the abysmal failure of successive administrations in Nigeria to address challenges such as poverty, youth unemployment and inequitable distribution of wealth among ethnic nationalities, ultimately resulted to diverse negative impact of anger, agitation and violent crimes against the Nigerian state by some individuals and groups. The study however, recommends the formulation and effective implementation of policies and programmes capable of addressing the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria.

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

2024-02-04T08:34:21+00:00

This study examines the impact of social media on the academic performance of students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River state. Social media is an off-spring of the new media. However, the development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Internet in Nigeria has led to the invention of other new media channels that brought tremendous improvement in the communication system. These media tools also enhance learning amongst students. The researchers used survey method of scientific inquiry; using students of all the seven (7) schools of the institution of study which formed the population. Questionnaires were administered to some randomly selected students of the same school giving a 91.2% response rate. Taro Yamane’s formula was adopted to determine the sample size which was calculated to be 384.The data collected from the respondents were later presented using simple percentages and tables. Hypotheses were tested using Z-test. The findings reveal that students’ exposure to internet and social media platforms enabled them learn communication skills, connect to their teachers for learning, discussion and sharing of information with their peers. The study also found out that social media impacted positively on their academic performance hence they generate ideas and concepts related to their studies. The study concludes that the academic performance of students under study were positively influenced due to their regular online contacts. The study therefore recommends expansion of the social networking sites and enlightenment of students on the appropriate use of social media sites.

EMPIRICAL PATH LOSS PROPAGATION MODEL OF URBAN WIRELESS CELLULAR ENVIRONMENT

2024-02-04T08:19:30+00:00

Radio propagation prediction is one of the fundamentals of radio network planning for future generation communication systems. It is therefore vital that the propagation prediction models are as accurate as possible taking into account the practical limitations that characterized the propagation environment. Propagation path loss models helps to specify key system parameters such as transmission power, frequency, antenna heights, and so on. This work sets out to predict the path loss of a WCDMA cellular network in urban propagation environment of Awka, Anambra State. TEMS software installed in a Laptop computer was used to carry out Received Signal Strength measurements up to 700m from the base station, for a period of ten months, from GLO network. Measured values were used to estimate the path loss exponent used to develop an empirical path loss prediction model suitable for the radio transmission environment under study.

MATHEMATICAL MODEL ON THE CONTROL/MANAGEMENT OF THE METHAMPHETAMINE CONSUMPTION IN AFIKPO NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EBONYI STATE

2024-02-04T08:44:44+00:00

The present work studied the dynamics of the interaction of the susceptible and victims of Methamphetamine consumption using a mathematical model SEIR (Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, and Recovered/Removed) approach with sensitive control parameters introduced accordingly. We strive at developing a set of model equations from a schematic diagram designed as to enable us conduct some necessary analyses for the study. We derive a deterministic model on the consumption of Methamphetamine in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State via a. Developing proper and all-encompassing schematic diagram from the necessary differential equations will be generated for use for the research analyses, b. Introducing/employing of ideal control parameters or measures at the right/vital compartments in the schematic diagram, c. Conducting the three relevant/basic analyses such as i. Stability, ii. Endemicity, iii. Sensitivity analyses of the model equations, d. Simulating the system using a derived sensitivity index table with the help of R₀, and e. Interpreting the resulting graphs that will provide the effective control measures on the use of Methamphetamine. It is discovered that our control parameter which is the enlightenment control to avoid the use of methamphetamine is the most effective control measure in respect to the dangers associated with this substance.