Malaria and pneumonia occurrence in Lagos, Nigeria: Role of temperature and rainfall

The role of climatic parameters in the prevalence and severity of some common diseases is being speculated in the face of changing climate of the world. We investigate this supposition by expounding the relationship between malaria, pneumonia, rainfall and air temperature over Lagos, Nigeria. This study uses temperature and rainfall data of 60 years and 14 years record of reported cases of malaria and pneumonia infection. Significant climatic change was detected in both rainfall and air temperature when standard method of change detection was applied. While rainfall showed a decreasing trend resulting into drier conditions, temperature tends to increase resulting into warmer environment. Temperature spells were found to increase in frequency during the last two decades, and there are tendencies for further increment given the current rate of increasing temperature. Air temperature and malaria correlation coefficient was high and positive in the months of February and December ranging between 40 and 95% but high and negative only in November. Coefficient of correlation between rainfall and pneumonia was high in the range of 50 and 90% and positive in February, May, July and August. The months of March, April, June, September, October and December also showed positive correlation but the coefficients are so weak and insufficient (<20%) to justify reasonable relationship between the variables in these months. We conclude that climatic parameters, rainfall and air temperature, have profound influence on both malaria and pneumonia occurrence and are responsible directly for intractable increase of the diseases.Key words: Malaria occurrence, change points, climate- disease, pneumonia

Predicting the Determinants of Homicides Rates Across the ECOWAS Region, 1960-2020

The purpose of this study was to predict the determinants of homicide crime across the ECOWAS region. The study used a correctional research design, with a sample size of 15 across the period ranging from 1960 to 2020. The study used a criterion variable of homicide rates, and the predictor variables to include development indicator-life expectancy at birth, economic inequality, youth unemployment, and sex-ratio. The study used SPSS to process and analyze the dataset which came from the following agencies: WHO, World Bank, UNDP, etc. The study used Ordinary Least Squared analysis to predict the determinants of high homicides rates across the ECOWAS region. The study finds the following: a weak inverse relationship between the life expectancy at birth and homicide (r = –0.317**) which is significant at 5% significance, moderately strong positive relationship between economic inequality and homicide (r = 0.657**) and a moderately strong inverse relationship between economic inequality and development (r = –0.548**). Also, the study finds a weak negative association between homicide and sex-ratio (-0.287*). While unemployment exhibited a strong positive significant associated with homicide (r=0.795). Above all the study finds that about 76.5% variations in the homicide crime could be attributed to the following variables, such as life expectancy at birth or the level of development, economic inequality, youth unemployment, and sex ratio. Keywords: Homicide, Crime, ECOWAS, Unemployment, Inequality, Development, Life Expectancy, Gini-Index DOI: 10.7176/DCS/12-7-02 Publication date:September 30th 202

Facilitating Students\' Attitude in the Concept of Heat Energy in Nigerian Senior Secondary School Physics Using Models, Realia and Instructional Charts

This study investigated the facilitating effect of models, realia and charts on students' attitude in teaching the concept of heat energy in Nigerian senior secondary school Physics. A total of 183 senior secondary two (SS2) Physics students constituted the sample. This study adopted quasi-experimental design in 4 co-educational secondary schools in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. Physics Attitude Scale (PAS) was used to collect the data and the coefficient of internal consistency for PAS was 0.85 using Cronbach alpha. The data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance. The results showed that models were the most effective in facilitating students' attitude towards leaning Physics. This was then followed by realia while charts were found to be the least effective in facilitating students' attitude towards Physics learning. The results also showed an insignificant gender difference in the attitude of students towards Physics when taught with models, realia and charts. The results also indicated that the facilitating effect of instructional materials on students' attitude towards Physics is not the same at all levels of gender. It is recommended that charts should be used together with models/realia materials for the main lesson, revision and reference purposes. Keywords: Attitude, Heat Energy, Realia, Models, Charts.African Research Review Vol. 2 (2) 2008 pp. 56-6

RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF CASE-BASED AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING STRATEGIES ON STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PHYSICS

This study investigated the relative effectiveness of case-based and collaborative learning strategies on students’ achievement and retention in senior secondary school physics. The study adopted pretest, posttest control group design. Simple random sampling technique was used to select three schools used for the study. The sample used for the study was eighty five (85) senior secondary two (SS 2) physics students randomly selected from the three schools in Ileoluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The study made use of Physics Achievement Test (PAT) with internal consistency of 0.84 using Kuder Richardson Formular 21. The data collected were analysed using Analysis of Covariance and Scheffe post hoc analysis was used to obtain the direction of significance. From the findings, it was observed that, learning strategies had significant main effect on students’ achievement (F(2,82)= 134.97, p = 0.000) and retention (F(2,82)= 20.67, p = .000) in the concept of optics in physics. The results of the Scheffe post hoc analysis indicated that, case-based learning strategy was the most effective in facilitating students’ achievement and retention in the concept of optics. This was followed by collaborative learning strategy while conventional learning strategy was found to be the least facilitative. Conclusion from the findings led to the recommendation that, teachers should be encouraged to adopt the use of case-based and collaborative learning strategy in teaching the concept of optics in physics in order for the students to develop problem solving skills, construction of knowledge and student-centred activities.  Article visualizations

Basic Evaluation of Bioclimatic Conditions over Southwest Nigeria

This study examined the magnitude and spatio-temporal variation of outdoor bioclimatic conditions using observed mean monthly values of air temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), wind speed (m/s), vapor pressure (hpa) and cloud cover (octas) for the period of 1983  to 2012. The data were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for five southwest-Nigerian stations. The bioclimatic indices adopted to evaluate the outdoor thermal comfort based on the thermal physiological balance of the human body in this study, are the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) and Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET). Radiation and Human Bioclimate (RayMan) model was used to simulate PET and Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) in just one run based on the human energy balance model such as the Munich Energy Balance Model for Individual (MEMI). The estimated THI and PET were classified into different categories of thermal perceptions based on the established classes for Nigeria. The monthly, seasonal, and spatial variations of meteorological variables and thermal indices were also analysed. Results indicated air temperature to be the highest contributing meteorological parameter to thermal conditions. The discomfort level deteriorated over the years, most noticeable is the last decade between 2003 to 2012 of the study period. The years 1987 and 1998 were marked as period of peak discomfort in the entire region. The result also showed  three different grades of thermal discomfort conditions namely; slightly warm, warm and hot over the tropical wet, and tropical wet and dry zones. In conclusion, thermal discomfort was observed to decrease from the northern part of the region towards the southern part of the region in the examined period. This work could be of great interest for the stakeholders involved in public health and tourism industry sectors in decision making process. Keywords: Bioclimatic condition, PET, THI, Thermal discomfort

Assessment of Projected Temperature Over West Africa Using CORDEX Regional Climate Models

This study assessed the projections of temperature over West Africa using the simulated daily temperatures which were output of two (2) Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) models, include historical runs (1951-2005) and two (2) concentration pathways scenarios (RCP 4.5 from 2006-2100 and RCP 8.5 from 2006-2070) obtained from Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) and Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S-Climate Data Store) with spatial resolution of 0.220. Results show that over West Africa under the Representation Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.5) scenario, there is a strong agreement between the distribution of model and observed PDF for the maximum temperature as the probability density functions ( PDF) increases between 0.1 to 0.2 within the range of maximum temperature of 32.5°C to 36.0°C, the observed and MPI-CCLM5 revealed an agreement while the CCCma-CanRCM4 overestimated the PDF with a spike of 0.45 in March, April and May from 1979-2018. The validation of the PDF yielded skill score for the maximum temperature revealed at 0.86 and 0.81 for CCCma-CanRCM4 and MPI-CCLM5 models respectively under RCP 4.5 scenario in March, April and May from 1979-2018 over West Africa. In June, July, August and September from 1979 to 2018 under the RCP 4.5 scenario, there is a fair agreement between the distribution of model and observed PDF for the maximum temperature as the PDF increases from 0.1 to 0.15 with the MPI-CCLM5 model in fair agreement with the observed while the CCCma-CanRCM4 model overestimated the observed with a spike PDF value of 0.47.The validation of the PDF yielded skill score for the maximum temperature revealed at 0.89 and 0.86 for CCCma-CanRCM4 and MPI-CCLM5 models respectively under RCP 4.5 scenario in June, July, August and September from 1979-2018 over West Africa. The findings revealed a warming trend in the possible future climate of West Africa and the temperature increase could pose a serious threat on socioeconomic activities, which necessitates a call to action for possible climate adaption and mitigation pathways for planners and policymakers. Keywords:Temperature, RCP, PDF DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-10-01 Publication date:October 31st 202

A GIS based flood risk mapping along the Niger-Benue river basin in Nigeria using watershed approach

Floods are water induced disasters that lead to temporary inundation of dry land and cause serious damages in the affected location such as loss of lives and properties and destruction of infrastructures. They have become common occurrences in every part Nigeria and the recorded impacts of flooding on the inhabitants are alarming, causing hundreds of deaths and rendering thousands homeless. The impact of floods on people globally has led to the development of mitigation measures that could reduce the associated risk of floods to a manageable point. The management of flood risk begins with identification of areas prone to flood. This study used the scientific technique of GIS to identify flood risk areas along the River Niger-Benue basin. Satellite imageries SRTM DEM that covers the study area was used in this research. Monthly rainfall data was used to generate maps of standardized precipitation index (SPI) for thirty years (1978 to 2007). The SPI maps were used to determine the degree of precipitation condition across Nigeria and also to identify the locations where flood events are being triggered. The SRTM DEM was used to generate the flow direction and flow accumulation maps. Flow direction and Flow accumulation were used to generate the watershed and flood risk map. The flood risk map shows that 45% of Nigeria towns and villages are within the flood risk zone. Finally, some recommendations were made which will help the policy makers improve on flood management in the country.Key Words: Flood, Flood risk, Flow direction, Satellite imager

Using Anomie Institutional Theory to Explain Crime in the ECOWAS Region: Policy Implications

This study used Anomie Institutional Theory to explain crime in the ECOWAS region to inform policy. The sample size used in this particular study considered the fifteen-member countries in the ECOWAS region. This study employed the correlational research design. The data source for all the variables came primarily from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Mortality Database, the World Development Indicators, The World Bank, UNDP, and the CIA World Factbook. The study finds that development has a significant negative relationship with homicide, this therefore indicates that homicide rates tend to be higher in nations that have younger populations, lower life expectancies, higher infant mortality rates, lower GDPs per capita, and fewer urban residents. The study found a positive significant product term for the interaction between economic participation and noneconomic participation [i.e. similar to analyses of Messner & Rosenfeld (1997); Hughes et al. (2015); Weld & Roche (2016)], indicating that the relationship between economic participation and homicide is actually exacerbated by strong noneconomic participation. This may be indicative of greater anomic pressures in societies where individuals face competing pressures to succeed in multiple institutional domains. The study recommends that Crime control in the ECOWAS region should be a collaborative effort among all stakeholders. Above all, the leadership in the region must ensure institutional balance across the ECOWAS member countries to minimize crime in the region. Keywords: Anomie, Institutions, Crime, economic, Non-economic, Time-Use, Strains, Homicide, Policy DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/12-6-10 Publication date:September 30th 202

Sporting Equipment and Students\' Academic Performance in the Concept of Projectile in Nigerian Senior Secondary School Physics

This study investigated the effect of sporting equipment on students academic performance in the concept of projectile in Nigerian senior secondary school Physics in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 183 senior secondary two (SS2) Physics students were involved in the study. The design adopted in the study was non randomized pretest – posttest control group design. The instrument used in gathering data for the study was Test On Projectile (TOP). The reliability coefficient of TOP was 0.79 using Kuder Richardson formula-21. The result showed that javelin was found to be the most effective in facilitating students' academic performance in the concept of projectile in secondary school Physics. This was followed by discus while shot-put was seen to be the least facilitative. The results also showed an insignificant gender difference in the academic performance of Physics students taught the concept of projectile using sporting equipment (javelin, discus and shotput). Also, the facilitating influence of sporting equipment on students' academic performance in the concept of projectile in Physics is about the same at all levels of gender. It is recommended that teachers should adopt the use of sporting equipment in the teaching of the concept of projectile in secondary school Physics. Keywords: Sporting Equipment, Students' Performance, Projectile, PhysicsAfrican Research Review Vol. 2 (1) 2008: pp. 1-1

Effect of Prior Knowledge of Instructional Objectives on Students\' Achievement in Selected Difficult Concepts in Nigerian Senior Secondary School Physics.

The study examined the effect of prior knowledge of instructional objectives on students' achievement in selected difficult concepts in senior secondary school physics. A total of 100 senior secondary two (SS II) physics students were involved in the study. A non-randomized pretest-posttest control group design was used. From the findings, it was determined that students' prior knowledge of instructional objectives facilitates achievement on difficult concepts in physics. Generally, prior knowledge of behavioural objectives was found to be more effective in enhancing students' achievement on difficult concepts than prior knowledge of general objectives. Also, the results showed that male students achieved higher than female students given the same condition of exposure to prior knowledge of instructional objectives of physics difficult concept. Among others, it was recommended that physics teachers should introduce their lesson objectives in behavioural terms before the learning tasks begin at the instance of teaching the concept of electricity in senior secondary school physics. African Research Review Vol. 2 (1) 2008: pp. 241-26