Volume 12, Issue 9, September 2024 Edition - GSJ Journal Publication

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Empathie en contexte complexe : connecter avant d’inclure Empathy in a complex context : connect before including []


Summary: This study examines the effect of a special empathy education program in an inclusive classroom, highlighting its importance for the cognitive, emotional and social development of learners. The program was implemented with 31 students, including two girls with down syndrome in the 2nd grade of primary school, at Othmane Ibn Affan School in Khemisset. Pre- and post-program tests as well as observation analyses were carried out to evaluate the results. The latter show a significant change in class dynamics, with a noticeable increase in the empathy of typical learners towards their peers with down syndrome. This positive change has helped to create a more supportive and inclusive classroom environment. This study highlights the importance of empathy education programs, highlighting the need for an understanding and increased practice of it within school communities to encourage positive interaction between learners and promote true inclusion of children with down syndrome. Key words: Empathy - inclusive class-Trisomy 21- benevolence.

Youth Unemployment and National Security in Nigeria: Exploring the Impact on Socio-Economic Stability and Development []


Youth unemployment is a pressing issue in Nigeria, intricately linked to national security and socio-economic development. With a significant percentage of the population under the age of 30, the high levels of unemployment among youth contribute to a range of social challenges, including insurgency, criminal activities, and widespread social unrest. This paper investigates the multifaceted relationship between youth unemployment and national security, highlighting how the lack of economic opportunities fosters vulnerability among young people, making them susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups and involvement in criminal activities. The study critically evaluates existing government initiatives aimed at reducing youth unemployment, including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Social Investment Program (NSIP). Despite some successes, these programs face significant challenges, such as inadequate funding, lack of alignment with labor market needs, and insufficient sustainability measures, limiting their overall impact. To address these issues, the paper proposes a holistic policy framework that encompasses educational reforms, enhanced vocational training, and entrepreneurship promotion. It emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships in creating job opportunities and fostering innovation. Furthermore, it advocates for community-based security initiatives that actively involve youth in maintaining peace and stability within their regions. By including youth in governance processes, the study highlights the need for a collaborative approach that empowers young people to contribute to policy formulation and implementation. Overall, this research underscores the urgent necessity for comprehensive strategies to tackle youth unemployment and strengthen national security, thereby fostering sustainable socio-economic development in Nigeria.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Multivariate Neuroimaging Techniques in Differentiating Major Depressive Disorder from Healthy Controls: A Meta-Analytic Approach to Identifying Biomarkers and Enhancing Diagnostic Precision []


Multiple studies have examined functional and structural brain alteration in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). The introduction of multivariate statistical methods allows investigators to utilize data concerning these brain alterations to generate diagnostic models that accurately differentiate patients with MDD from healthy control subjects (HCs). However, there is substantial heterogeneity in the reported results, the methodological approaches, and the clinical characteristics of participants in these studies. We conducted a meta-analysis of all studies using neuroimaging (volumetric measures derived from T1- weighted images, task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], resting-state MRI, or diffusion tensor imaging) in combination with multivariate statistical methods to differentiate patients diagnosed with MDD from HCs. Thirty-three (k 5 33) samples including 912 patients with MDD and 894 HCs were included in the metaanalysis. Across all studies, patients with MDD were separated from HCs with 77% sensitivity and 78% specificity. Classification based on resting-state MRI (85% sensitivity, 83% specificity) and on diffusion tensor imaging data (88% sensitivity, 92% specificity) outperformed classifications based on structural MRI (70% sensitivity, 71% specificity) and task-based functional MRI (74% sensitivity, 77% specificity). Our results demonstrate the high representational capacity of multivariate statistical methods to identify neuroimaging-based biomarkers of depression. Future studies are needed to elucidate whether multivariate neuroimaging analysis has the potential to generate clinically useful tools for the differential diagnosis of affective disorders and the prediction of both treatment response and functional outcome.

TEACHERS’ CREATIVITY NURTURING BEHAVIOURS IN ZAMBIAN SCHOOLS: ARE OUR TEACHERS DOING ENOUGH? []


Creativity plays a crucial role in fostering innovative thinking and driving socio-economic development, particularly in developing countries like Zambia. However, it remains unclear to what extent schools, especially teachers, encourage and harness their students' creativity. This study had to achieve two objectives: first, to determine the behaviours of teachers that promote creativity among their students, and second, to evaluate the impact of teacher characteristics such as age, academic qualifications, level of teaching, and gender on their ability to nurture creativity. The study involved forty-eight in-service teachers who were enrolled in a degree programme at the University of Zambia. These teachers were administered with the Creativity Nurturing Behaviour Scale for Teachers, which assessed their overall creativity and specific components such as abstraction, creative thinking, motivation for creativity, and inquisitiveness during classroom interactions. The results revealed that teachers demonstrated slightly above-average abilities in fostering creativity, with motivation for creativity being the most effectively nurtured trait, while creative thinking appeared to be the least effectively nurtured. Teacher characteristics had only modest effects on enhancing creativity among learners. Interestingly, age and level of teaching showed an inverse relationship with creativity, as younger teachers were found to be more effective than their older counterparts, and primary school teachers were better at fostering creativity compared to secondary school teachers. Additionally, female teachers were found to be more adept at nurturing creativity than male teachers. These findings contradict the results observed in individualistic Western societies but align with those from more collectivistic societies. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and educators regarding the abilities of teachers to nurture creativity in Zambia. Keywords: creativity, teachers, gender, age, qualification,

Messy Aya/ Si Aya Kalatera []


"Messy Aya" is a heartwarming children's story about a young girl named Aya, who loves to play but struggles with keeping her room tidy. Aya's messy habits lead to the loss of her favorite toy, which prompts her to reflect on the importance of organization. Guided by her mother's advice, Aya learns that tidying up not only helps her find things easily but also makes her environment more enjoyable. As she embraces cleaning, she discovers that being organized can be fun and rewarding. This story teaches children the value of responsibility and cleanliness in a playful and relatable way.

Refining Variational Problems through the Generalized Bernoulli Method: An Application to Balanced Euler Equations []


This work examines the use of the Generalized Bernoulli Method (GBM) in variational situations concerning functional that rely on all variables. The research illustrates that reconfiguring these issues using GBM results in asymmetric variants of the standard Euler equations, improving their retention and practical use. We demonstrate via three case studies that GBM produces Euler equations with comparable accuracy to conventional approaches while necessitating reduced processing resources, making it exceptionally appropriate for practical applications. Furthermore, the efficacy of the GBM is extended to isoperimetric situations, hence underscoring its practical significance and reassuring its potential users.

ASSESSMENT OF THE EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES FACED BY NURSES IN PROVIDING END-OF-LIFE CARE AT AUTUMN LAKE []


Background: Although end-of-life care has developed to a certain extent in recent years, there are still deficiencies in all aspects. In the USA, end-of-life care is also getting more and more attention. Nurses play an important role in end-of-life care, and their end-of-life experience can promote a compre-hensive understanding of end-of-life care. Objective: This study, aimed to assess the experiences and challenges faced by nurses in providing end-of-life care at Autumn Lake healthcare, Spa Creek. Methods: The study made use of quantitative design to sample 30 nurses using struc-tured-questionnaire by means of a simple random sampling technique. Collected data were analyzed descriptively using Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: 11(36.7%) responded that rrecognizing that someone is dying, 2(6.7%) responded that ccommunicating sensitively with them and their family and 6(20%) responded that creating an individual plan of care that includes adequate nutrition and hydration are the most rewarding aspects of providing end-of-life care to patient. Regarding the struggles of end-of-life issues 7(23.3%) said dyspnea, 3(10%) said cconfusion, and 7(23.3%) said skin problems. 7(23.3%) of the participants identified communication with patients and families, 8(26.7%) workload and time constraints, 4(13.3%) emotional impact of end-of-life care, and 3(10%) ethical dilemmas as challenges faced in providing end-of-life care. Conclusions: The study concluded that most nurses had good experience experiences in providing end-of-life care. In the process of end-of-life care, the nurses experienced challenges, including communication difficulties, lack of experience, lack of professional support and so on, as well as dilemmas. However, through the implementation of nursing care, the nurses had rewards, such as experience, gratitude of patients and their families. Recommendation: In order to further develop end-of-life care, the nurses should strengthen their knowledge and skills related to end-of-life care.

ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY KNOWLEDGE, PRACTICE AND SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS AT LIFE CARE CENTER OF AURORA. []


Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a lifelong metabolic disease, considered often as an epidemic problem that leads to a reduction in quality and expectancy of life. There is an increasing prevalence of DM throughout the world as a result of changing dietary patterns and decreased physical activity. Providing proper education and guidance toward diabetes care among patients could result in considerable development in their glycemic control and disease treatment Objective: This study was to assess the dietary knowledge, practice and Socio-demographic factors associated with the knowledge and practices of type 2 diabetic patients at life care center of Aurora. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 30 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in life care center of Aurora. Primary data were collected by the use of a questionnaire. The collected data were entered into SPSS version 22 and analyzed using proportion, percentage, and mean and standard deviation. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables affecting dietary knowledge and practice. Results: Most 27 (90%) patients knew instantaneous effect of consuming carbohydrates on blood glucose level. Most 28(93.3%) had good knowledge while 2(6.7%) of the patients have poor dietary knowledge of type 2 diabetes. Majority of patients, 66.7%, had a meal frequency of three times a day. 1 (3.3%), of T2DM did not follow regular meal time. Most 26(86.7%) had poor practice while 4(13.3%) of the patients have good practice of type 2 diabetes. So-ciodemographic factors such as sex, marital status, occupation, level of education, and monthly income of diabetic association were not significantly associated with good dietary practice to the recommended diet. Conclusion: There is generally good knowledge, and practices of participants toward healthy dietary habits among type 2 DM patients in life care center of Aurora. The provision of robust nutritional education, counseling service, as well as psychosocial support, is also recommended.

Hierarchical Origami Shell Reinforcement for Soft Pneumatic Actuators in Minimally Invasive Surgical Applications []


This research introduces hierarchical origami shell reinforcement as a transformative approach to enhance soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Employing compliant materials like silicone elastomers and origami design principles such as the Yoshimura pattern, accordion fold, flagstone pattern, and diamond twist, the study optimizes the layered construction of SPAs through advanced manufacturing techniques. Computational modeling, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA), guides the design, while experimental validation in simulated surgical scenarios demonstrates significantly improved SPA performance, higher inflation pressures, substantial blocked torques, and precise motion trajectories. Findings indicate that diverse origami patterns suit different MIS applications, emphasizing the need to tailor designs to specific demands. The research holds implications for advancing precision and outcomes in robotic-assisted surgery, offering a softer alternative with compliance and flexibility, potentially revolutionizing the field of minimally invasive surgical robotics.

USES OF AGRICULTURAL BY-PRODUCTS IN DOMESTIC ANIMAL FEED IN THE OUARA DEPARTMENT, CHAD []


This study investigated the use of agricultural by-products by agropastoralists in the feeding of domestic ani-mals in the Ouara department. Surveys were conducted from October 2018 to January 2019 using a structured questionnaire. A total of 450 agropastoralists were surveyed on the composition of their animals, the method of collecting agricultural by-products, the methods of conservation, the means of transport, the agricultural species supplying the by-products and the by-products most palatable to the animals. The results showed that men (62.20%) were more likely to collect by-products than women (37.80%). The majority of agropastoralists are aged between 35 and 40 (29.70%) and 40 to 45 (27%). Cutting stubble after harvest (86.50%) followed by digging up and drying groundnut straw (66.20%) were the most common methods of harvesting. Groundnuts (28%), pearl millet (27.70%) and sorghum (27.70) are the crops most used by agropastoralists to extract agricul-tural by-products. Enclosures (39.01%) and shed roofs (28.57%) are frequently used to store agricultural by-products. Donkeys (42%) and horse-drawn carts (41.33%) are frequently used to transport agricultural by-products, which play a crucial role in feeding livestock. Their permanent availability and conservation are a major concern for agropastoralists. The development of this sector will therefore provide considerable support to the economy. Keywords: Agricultural by-products, animal feed, agropastoralists, Ouaddaï, Chad.

Education Entertainment Programmes (EE) And Health Promotion in Nigeria (A Study of Flava and Shuga) []


This study investigates the effectiveness of edutainment programs in promoting healthy living among university students in Nigeria, using FLAVA and SHUGA as case studies. Despite the significance of health promotion in national development, Nigeria has underutilized edutainment programmes as a strategy for health education. This research aims to bridge this gap by assessing the impact of FLAVA and SHUGA on the awareness, perception, and behaviour of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) students towards healthy living. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining surveys and focus group discussions to collect data from 300 UNN students. The findings reveal a significant positive impact of FLAVA and SHUGA on students' awareness, perception, and behaviour towards healthy living. The study recommends increased utilization of edutainment programmes as an effective method for health promotion among Nigerian youth. The research contributes to the body of knowledge on health communication and edutainment, providing insights for policymakers, health educators, and media practitioners.

ADVANCEMENTS IN PRECIPITATION COLLECTION SYSTEMS FOR ENSURING SUSTAINABLE HOUSEHOLD WATER RESOURCES/ IN OBINGWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ABIA STATE. NIGERIA./ Sustainable Water Supply Practices in Housing Estates. []


ABSTRACT Policymakers in developing countries like Nigeria face a serious challenge in meeting the increasing demand for water in both rural and urban areas. This results from the general public's requirement for clean water not being met by conventional or municipal water delivery systems. People randomly dig small and deep wells to fulfill their daily water needs. A declining groundwater table would have caused a hydrological imbalance. Groundwater recharge and domestic roof-water harvesting offer creative solutions to the insufficient water supply. In this project, a whole rainwater harvesting technology was developed and built for a home without access to a public water supply. The current shallow well water system was updated using rainwater harvesting technology. Standard techniques were applied to analyze water samples from the shallow well and rainwater harvesting system. For the dry time, 22m3 of reservoirs were needed, with a 71m2 roof surface. The extracted water's pH was 6.5, and its hardness, alkalinity, chloride, iron, and nitrate values were 21.0, 22.0, 14.0, 0.2, and 2.0 mg/l, respectively. The results fell below the drinking water guidelines set by the WHO. Safety precautions were implemented to guarantee that the collected rainwater was of high quality. According to the study, rainwater harvesting technology is a practical and dependable home water supply choice for both urban and rural locations.

The Implications of COVID-19 Crisis on the Socioeconomic Conditions of Sudanese Families []


The pandemic crisis of Covid-19 disturbed the social and the economic systems in which some changes happened during the pandemic and other changes extended subsequently. This paper is reflecting on the Sudan case, a country of a moderate population and large area with poor socioeconomic standard and infrastructure. The paper is based on the analysis of primary data and policy recommendations of an original research undertaken in five States in Sudan during the period Sept.2021-Sept.2022. The sample of the study selected from most five States that were affected by the Corona pandemic, namely: Khartoum State, Gezira State in the Central Region, Kassala State and Gadarif State in the Eastern Region, and Nyala in the South Darfur State of the Western Region. The research built on a quantitative research method, used the questionnaire as a tool for data collection from a sample size of 723 family head-households. The study is gaining a better understanding of the social, economic and health challenges that faced Sudanese households during the COVID-19 lock down and within the pandemic period. The study showed crucial results that the education of children was disturbed due to unavailability of the distance education in schools. In contrast some families maintained the education of the children as enrolled in private schools. In addition, the paper shows how the families used different approaches to educate their children and involve them into traditional informal and formal education ways. Additionally, the results explained the coping strategies with available resources that families used to manage economic crises and how this interferes with children education. Furthermore, the study proposing appropriate social policies and interventions that address the needs of the family in the current and future pandemic crisis.

Differences between Covid-19 and other coronaviruses. []


COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a highly contagious disease.. Its clinical characteristics were very similar to those of viral pneumonia. After analysis of respiratory samples from infected patients, the experts at the People Republic of China (PRC) Centers for Disease Control declared that the pneumonia-like infection, later known as novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP), was caused by a novel coronavirus (Huang C et al, 2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) officially named the disease COVID-19. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Assigning a formal name for the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes is neccesary to identify the virus in clinical, medical and scientific research.This article is therefore aimed at providing clarity on why covid-19 is different from other coronaviruses?

Theoretical Analysis of Optimizing Production through Process Engineering Approach in the area of Textile and Apparel. []


The apparel industry faces numerous challenges in meeting the demands of a rapidly changing market while maintaining efficiency and sustainability. In this paper, we propose a system engineering approach to optimize apparel production processes. By integrating principles from various disciplines such as industrial engineering, supply chain management, and sustainability, this approach aims to streamline production, reduce waste, and enhance overall performance. We discuss the key components of this approach, including process analysis, technology integration, supply chain optimization, and sustainability considerations. Through case studies and empirical evidence, we demonstrate the effectiveness of applying system engineering principles to apparel production. This paper contributes to the existing literature by offering a comprehensive framework for improving efficiency and sustainability in the apparel industry.

Impact of Government Expenditure on Inflation and Economic Growth in Nigeria []


Abstract This study was carried out to assess the impacts of government expenditure on inflation and economic growth in Nigeria using time series data from 1981-2022. Inflation causes untold hardship especially when it goes beyond control. However, inflation is best termed a necessary evil because of its inevitability in any economy, and secondly, because it could be a measure of economic growth. For the analysis, government expenditure was disaggregated into 1) recurrent expenditure, and 2) capital expenditure. The Unit Root Test, the Granger Casuality Test, and the Vector AutoRegressive Regression(VAR) methods were employed to establish a causal relationship between the variables of interest. Findings show a bi-directional relationship between recurrent expenditure and inflation, while a unidirectional relationship was observed between capital expenditure and inflation. In terms of economic growth using the GDP(Gross Domestic Product) as a measure, recurrent expenditure does not impact GDP while the capital expenditure does impact GDP positively but only in the long-term. The study recommends that the government should prioritize efficient capital invesments to yieid positive returns in the long-run while also providing a facilitative environment for business growth and further investments. Keywords: Government expenditure, inflation, GDP

Pathway for Net Zero Policies: Aligning Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for Holistic Sustainable Development in Cameroon []


Achieving Net Zero by 2050 is ambitious and will take concerted efforts to align with sustainable development to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs). This also must align with implementing local adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability to climate risks. These actions align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of Climate Action (SDG-13). The Paris Climate Agreement signatories committed to periodically update the state of GHGs through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This study examines the opportunities and obstacles associated with aligning NDCs with local development plans in Cameroon. The study used a mixed research design, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Vulnerability assessments were used to evaluate baseline socio-economic and environmental conditions, impacts, and the capacity for autonomous adaptation. Climate risk analysis, which considered factors beyond climate change, such as constraints to adaptation, was part of the quantitative aspects. Results showed that Cameroon pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030. The implementation of NDCs in Cameroon follows a defined process, with various stakeholders and coordination mechanisms at different levels. The new Communal Development Plans in Cameroon include a Climate Assessment Matrix that evaluates key sectors in local development. Achieving holistic sustainable development requires a grassroots blend of environmental, social, economic, and cultural components and political will. It involves a people-centered approach that recognizes the unequal distribution of resources and strives for equity by allocating the necessary resources and opportunities for positive outcomes. There are constraints to achieving holistic sustainable development, such as resistance to change, weak stakeholder collaboration, and a slow pace of decentralization in mainstream public services and local councils, where competencies are transferred without corresponding financial backing. This calls for multi-faceted collaboration between local, subnational, and national levels to foster holistic sustainable development and climate change adaptation.

"Tracing the Evolution of Youth Involvement in Ghana's Political Landscape: A Historical Profile (1956-2023)" []


This study traces the evolution of youth participation in Ghana’s political landscape from independence in 1956 to 2023, focusing on key historical events and shifts in youth participation. Using a qualitative research design with thematic and content analysis, the research profiles how youth engagement has shaped and been formed by the political context in the Tamale Municipality. The findings reveal that youth involvement in politics has been significant but has varied across different political periods. Crucial milestones include the establishment of the National Youth Council (NYC) in 1959 under the CPP government, which facilitated youth participation in leadership, sports, and cultural activities. The return to democratic governance in the early 1990s, marked by the 1992 elections, saw renewed youth participation in political processes. Notably, the 2010s experienced a surge in youth activism, with movements like #OccupyGhana and #FixTheCountry, stress the role of young people in driving civic engagement and social change. The study concludes that while youth have consistently contributed to Ghana's political evolution, their involvement has fluctuated depending on the socio-political environment. It recommends that the government enhance youth partaking in decision-making processes and address barriers such as limited educational and economic opportunities that hinder their political engagement.

Perceived Competencies and Performance of Grade 8 TLE Learners in Elective Courses []


This study looks at the perceived capabilities and academic achievement of Grade 8-TLE students at Santa Maria National High School. It concentrated on the respondents' profiles, the relationship between their profiles and perceived skills, and the connection between profiles and academic success. During the 2021-2022 school year, 85 students in the 8-Jacinto and 8-Silang classrooms completed a researcher-created questionnaire, and data was analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, weighted averages, and correlation analysis. According to the findings, the majority of respondents are females aged 12 to 15, with parents who are largely high school graduates and self-employed. Students mostly use cellphones as learning tools, relying on mobile data for internet access. Their perceived competencies in EPAS and Cookery are regarded "highly attained," but their academic achievement is evaluated as "satisfactory." It is worth noting that no significant association was established between the students' profiles and their perceived competencies. Conclusions reflect a typical profile of students in a rural setting, emphasizing measuring and calculation issues. Prioritizing education at all ages, increasing parental support, using instructional films to develop skills, giving additional learning activities, and encouraging peer collaboration to improve competency are among the recommendations. Additional research is encouraged to investigate characteristics not covered in this study.