Annals of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Intelligence

Tigernut-Pigeon Pea Bread Enriched with Guava and Scent leaf Powders: Nutritional, Functional and Sensory Qualities

Comfort Chinenye Nwagbo — 2026-05-07

The dependency on wheat for bread production presents nutritional and economic challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria. This study evaluated the functional properties of raw flours and the proximate composition, mineral, and sensory attributes of composite bread produced from tigernut (Cyperus ecsulentus) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) flours, further enriched with guava leaf (Psidium guajava) and scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) powders. Four bread formulations were produced: a 100% wheat flour control and three composite blends (PTN1: 30, 65, 3, and 2%; PTN2: 30, 65, 5 and 0 % PTN3: 30, 65, 0 and 5% of pigeon pea, tigernut, guava and scent leaf powders respectively). Proximate, functional, mineral, and sensory properties evaluation were conducted using standard AOAC methods. The fortified bread exhibited significantly higher (p<0.05) crude fiber (4.92-5.94 vs 1.64 mg/100g), ash (1.84-2.64 mg/100g vs 1.59 mg/100g), and fat contents compared to the control, with notably reduced carbohydrate content (39.24-41.91 mg/100g vs 57.50 mg/100g). Mineral analysis showed marginal improvements in iron, copper, and zinc. Sensory scores for the enriched breads were significantly lower than the control, though PTN1 achieved the highest overall acceptability (4.54/9) among the fortified samples. The preliminary results from the functional analysis of the leaf powders showed that pigeon pea powder exhibited the highest water absorption capacity, bulk density and flour yield (3.81 g/g; 0.70 g/mL and 80.06 %), while tigernut recorded the highest oil absorption capacity (3.29 g/g). Guava leaf and scent leaf powders had the least flour yield (23.17 %) and bulk density (0.36 g/mL) respectively. These findings demonstrate that tigernut-pigeon pea bread enriched with guava and scent leaf powders are nutritionally superior alternative to 100% wheat bread. This contributes to food security and dietary diversification

Information needs and information seeking behaviour of people living with HIV/AIDS in university of Nigeria teaching hospital Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu state

Ugochi Iruoma Egwuonwu — 2026-05-09

This research examined the information needs and resource utilization by people living with HIV/AIDS in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu state. Five research questions guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised of 4000 people living with HIV/AIDS that are admitted or coming for regular checkup at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ozalla, Enugu state. The researcher used the purposive sampling technique to select 52 PLWH. The main instruments for data collection was questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean scores. The study found that the information needs of PLWH were on latest treatment options, mental health resources, financial support, and navigating personal relationships, among others. The information seeking behavior of PLWH were predominantly on regularly seeking information about new treatments, understanding treatment plans from various sources such as healthcare provider, websites and forums, relying on peer networks and NGOs, and using social media, among others. The sources of information by PLWH were healthcare providers, support

Assessing the Impact of Supply Chain Management Practices on Inventory Control and Customer Service in Organizational Performance

Godspower Onyekachukwu Ekwueme — 2026-05-09

In competitive business environments, Supply Chain Management (SCM) has emerged as a vital operational strategy, aiding organizations to enhance their inventory management, customer service delivery, and overall operational performance. Importance of SCM Integrated System for organisations to improve procurement coordination, inventory optimisation, customer responsiveness and operational sustainability. But many organizations, especially those in developing economies, still have limited visibility of their inventory, poor coordination with suppliers, poor forecasting systems, and weak technological integration, all of which have a negative impact on service delivery and organizational efficiency. Although many empirical studies have been conducted to capture the operational aspects of SCM, the few studies that have studied the operational aspects of SCM have not used advanced multivariate and predictive analytical techniques. It became necessary, therefore, to have a more comprehensive and analytically complete analysis of SCM practices and inventory service performance, which was the reason behind this study. The specific objectives were: to explore the relationship between SCM practices and inventory service performance; to test the impact of profitability, customer base, operational importance and organizational impact on inventory service outcomes; to test the latent structure of SCM variables using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA); to test the dimensionality of SCM variables by Principal Component Analysis (PCA); and to measure the predictive value of the SCM indicators. The structured questionnaires were used to gather primary data from the organizational staff in charge of supply chain and inventory operations. Chi-square statistics, binary logistic regression, ordinal logistic regression, EFA and PCA were used to analyze data. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between inventory control with customer service performance (χ² = 13.76, p = 0.001), SCM significance (χ² = 5.88, p < 0.001), and SCM impact (χ² = 5.78, p < 0.001). The profitability (OR = 1.995 × 10²¹) and customer base (OR = 5.915 × 10⁸) were the two factors which were positively affected by inventory service outcomes. The first principal component of the PCA explained a 94.14% of the total variance. The study found that implementing effective SCM practices can significantly enhance inventory efficiency, customer satisfaction, and organizational performance. For improving the operational sustainability and service efficiency, the study suggested using integrated technological elements of supply chain and designing profitability oriented and customer oriented policies for supply chains.

Perceptions of High-Stakes Biology Examinations (WAEC and NECO) Among Secondary Students in Southeast Nigeria: Anxiety, Preparedness, and Equity Implications

Esther Ebele Akachukwu — 2026-05-10

High-stakes examinations, the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE, conducted by WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination, determine educational and career trajectories for millions of Nigerian students. Yet little is known about how students perceive these examinations in specific subjects like Biology, which is compulsory for science-track students. This mixed-methods study surveyed 562 secondary school students (aged 15–18) across 12 schools in Imo and Anambra States, Nigeria, using a 42-item Perception of Biology Examination Scale (PBES; α = 0.89) and semi-structured focus groups (n = 48). Results revealed ambivalent perceptions: students viewed WAEC as more “standard” but more stressful (mean anxiety score: WAEC 4.2/5 vs. NECO 3.1/5, p < .001), while NECO was perceived as more predictable but less prestigious. Only 31% felt well-prepared for practical-based questions, despite 78% of WAEC/NECO Biology marks deriving from practical or application items. Structural equation modeling showed that teacher quality (β = 0.42) and access to laboratory resources (β = 0.38) mediated the relationship between school type (rural/urban) and examination confidence. Female students reported significantly higher examination anxiety (d = 0.47) despite scoring similar mock results. Qualitative themes included: “teaching to the test,” “fear of practical unknowns,” and “regional disparities in registration and marking.” We conclude that students’ differentiated perceptions of WAEC and NECO reflect systemic inequalities rather than inherent examination difficulty, and recommend policy reforms including practical skills portfolios, reduced examination stakes, and psycho-social support for rural and female students.

Perspectives on experiential learning strategy and its influence on secondary school students’ academic achievement and interest in computer studies

Uchenna Favour Muogbo — 2026-05-11

The viewpoints on experiential learning strategy and its effect on the achievement and interest of secondary school students in computer studies were investigated. The study was based on the theory of Experiential Learning of Kolb and Experiential Learning Model of Dewey which focuses on learning through experiences, reflections, and practices. This study used the systematic literature review method, which reviews literature both theoretically and empirically, to study the theoretical and empirical viewpoints on experiential learning and its effect on students' success and interest in computer studies. Sources of data were from credible academic publications like journals, textbooks and online databases (Google scholar). A set of inclusion criteria were established and relevant studies were identified. A thematic and comparative analysis method was used to aggregate findings, to key variables and theories. The results were synthesized using narrative synthesis, with a focus on the validity of the results obtained, peer-reviewed literature sources were used, and the results of the analysis were subjected to cross verification. From the synthesized literature, it was found that experiential learning strategies have positive effects on students' learning outcomes which could be seen from the higher involvement of students, critical thinking in learning, and skill development in learning. The review also demonstrated that experiential method makes students more interested in computer studies because it is able to create learning experiences that are interesting and meaningful. Moreover, it was found that the learner centered methods such as simulations, collaborative learning and project-based method were more effective than lecture methods. Results on gender differences were inconclusive, but overall, results indicate that experiential learning is beneficial for male and female students. The study found that experiential learning strategy is an effective pedagogical approach to enhance academic achievement and students' interest in computer studies. Learning outcomes should be improved by using experiential and other learner centred teaching-learning methods so that students can be prepared in real-life contexts was recommended for teachers