In Support of the Matrix Language Frame Model: Evidence from Igbo-English Intrasentential Codeswitching

This paper explores the morphosyntactic features of mixed nominal expressions in a sample of empirical Igbo-English intrasentential codeswitching data (i.e. codeswitching within a bilingual clause) in terms of the Matrix Language Frame (MLF) model. Since both Igbo and English differ in the relative order of head and complement within the nominal argument phrase, the analysed data seem appropriate for testing the veracity of the principal assumption underpinning the MLF model: the notion that the two languages (in our case Igbo and English) participating in codeswitching do not both contribute equally to the morphosyntactic frame of a mixed constituent. As it turns out, the findings provide both empirical and quantitative support for the basic theoretical view that there is a Matrix Language (ML) versus Embedded Language (EL) hierarchy in classic codeswitching as predicted by the MLF model because both Igbo and English do not simultaneously satisfy the roles of the ML in Igbo-English codeswitching

Acceptance of malaria vaccine by a rural community in Nigeria

Background: Introduction of malaria vaccine is imminent. This study evaluated the prevalence of malaria among a non-febrile population and their willingness to accept a malaria vaccine.Methods: This was a cross-sectional, community-based study done in a rural community in south east Nigeria. A total of 156 household heads were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was pre-tested before commencement of the study to correct ambiguity.Results: Majority (78.2%) acknowledged that malaria is the commonest illness in the community, while 55.1% believed that presumptive treatment is the best malaria preventive measure. Most (98.7%) of the study participants immunized their children against childhood vaccine preventable diseases, while 91.6% would be willing to accept a malaria vaccine. The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among non-febrile respondents was 35.4% and the use of mosquito nets was 17.9%.Conclusion: The high prevalence of malaria among non-febrile populations, the practice of presumptive treatment of unconfirmed fever as malaria preventive measure and the low use of bed nets, points that it is time to introduce malaria vaccine. The high willingness to receive the vaccine is positive to the introduction of the vaccine.Keywords; Acceptance; Malaria, Vaccine, Nigeria

Modeling MSMEs Financing and Economic Growth: Evidence from Nigeria

MSMEs constitute the driving force in the attainment of industrial growth and development. Several previous studies have examined the relationship between MSMEs financing and economic growth in Nigeria but the results of these studies are still mixed. Therefore, this paper examines the causality between MSMEs financing and economic growth in Nigeria during the periods 1992 to 2013. However, the analysis technique of this study differs from the previous studies as the approaches of the previous studies are not adequate in obtaining robust estimates and drawing meaningful inference given the potential impact of MSMEs financing on economic growth. Unlike previous studies that totally relied on traditional methods for unit root testing, co-integration analysis, and causality test, our study relies on the ultra-modern econometric methods such as; the Ng-Perron modified unit root test, Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bound testing approach to co-integration, parsimonious ECM version of ARDL model, and the Toda – Yamamoto causality procedure. The empirical results indicate evidence of a stable long – run relationship among the chosen variables. The Toda – Yamamoto causality test show evidence of a unidirectional causality running from MSMEs financing to MSMEs output, a bi-directional causality between MSMEs output and economic growth, as well as, a unidirectional causality running from MSMEs financing to economic growth in Nigeria during the periods covered. The study therefore recommends that the government through the monetary authority (CBN) should energize the MSMEs by instituting a programme that will adequately promote the financing of MSMEs with relatively low interest rate for sustainable economic growth. Keywords: MSMEs financing, economic growth, Ng- Perron, ARDL, Toda– Yamamot

Prevalence of depression among post-graduate medical trainees in selected institutions in eastern Nigeria: A multi-centre study

No Abstract

BROAD MONEY SUPPLY, CREDIT TO PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON MARKET CAPITALIZATION IN NIGERIA.

This study examined the impact of broad money supply, credit to private sector and government expenditure on capital market performance in Nigeria from 1970-2020. The variables of this study are credit to the private sector, gross domestic product, inflation, and investment (domestic), and broad money supply among other variables. This study employed vector autoregressive model, the impulse response function and variance decomposition. Results suggested that credit to the private sector, had a negative and insignificant impact on capital market capitalization and broad money supply was found to be negative and insignificant. The result further showed that government expenditure had negative and insignificant impact on capital market performance. This study therefore recommended, among others, the need to combine the use of money supply, credit to private sector and government expenditure to promote investment in the stock market

Lead-based paint on playground equipment in public children’s parks in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni

Objective. To determine the use of lead-based paint in public playgrounds in the municipalities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.Methods. Forty-nine public parks were selected from the municipalities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Lead levels in paint on playground equipment were measured in situ using a hand-held Thermo Scientific NITON XLP 700 Series X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyser.Results. Playground lead levels ranged from ‘too low to detect’ to 10.4 mg/cm2. The mean and median lead concentrations were 1.9 mg/cm2 and 0.9 mg/cm2 respectively. Forty-eight per cent of lead paint measurements exceeded the internationally accepted reference level of 1 mg/cm2.Conclusion. The study shows that lead-based paint is widely used in public playgrounds in the three study municipalities, and most likely throughout South Africa. We suggest key actions to ensure that children’s playgrounds in South Africa are lead-free zones, and that childhood lead exposure in these settings is prevented

Calcium Bistriflimide-Mediated Sulfur(VI)–Fluoride Exchange (SuFEx): Mechanistic Insights toward Instigating Catalysis

We report a mechanistic investigation of calcium bistriflimide-mediated sulfur(VI)–fluoride exchange (SuFEx) between sulfonyl fluorides and amines. We determine the likely pre-activation resting state─a calcium bistriflimide complex with ligated amines─thus allowing for corroborated calculation of the SuFEx activation barrier at ∼21 kcal/mol, compared to 21.5 ± 0.14 kcal/mol derived via kinetics experiments. Transition state analysis revealed: (1) a two-point calcium-substrate contact that activates the sulfur(VI) center and stabilizes the leaving fluoride and (2) a 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane additive that provides Brønsted-base activation of the nucleophilic amine. Stable Ca–F complexes upon sulfonamide formation are likely contributors to inhibited catalytic turnover, and a proof-of-principle redesign provided evidence that sulfonamide formation is feasible with 10 mol % calcium bistriflimide

Willingness to pay for rapid diagnostic tests for the diagnosis and treatment of malaria in southeast Nigeria: ex post and ex ante

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The introduction of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) has improved the diagnosis and treatment of malaria. However, any successful control of malaria will depend on socio-economic factors that influence its management in the community. Willingness to pay (WTP) is important because consumer responses to prices will influence utilization of services and revenues collected. Also the consumer's attitude can influence monetary valuation with respect to different conditions ex post and ex ante.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>WTP for RDT for Malaria was assessed by the contingent valuation method using a bidding game approach in rural and urban communities in southeast Nigeria. The ex post WTP was assessed at the health centers on 618 patients immediately following diagnosis of malaria with RDT and the ex ante WTP was assessed by household interviews on 1020 householders with a prior history of malaria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For the ex ante WTP, 51% of the respondents in urban and 24.7% in rural areas were willing to pay for RDT. The mean WTP (235.49 naira) in urban is higher than WTP (182.05 Naira) in rural areas. For the ex post WTP, 89 and 90.7% of the respondents in urban and rural areas respectively were WTP. The mean WTP (372.30 naira) in urban is also higher than (296.28 naira) in rural areas. For the ex post scenario, the lower two Social Economic Status (SES) quartiles were more willing to pay and the mean WTP is higher than the higher two SES while in the ex ante scenario, the higher two SES quartiles were more WTP and with a higher WTP than the lower two SES quartile. Ex ante and ex post WTP were directly dependent on costs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The ex post WTP is higher than the ex ante WTP and both are greater than the current cost of RDTs. Urban dwellers were more willing to pay than the rural dwellers. The mean WTP should be considered when designing suitable financial strategies for making RDTs available to communities.</p

Levels of Lipid Peroxidation Products in Fried Protein and Carbohydrate Foods Sold in an Institution of Higher Learning in North Central Region of Nigeria

Four typical local protein foods namely fried beans (akara), fish, beef and chicken and five carbohydrate foods namely buns, fried yam, potatoes, plantain and jellof rice as commonly consumed in the institution were evaluated for malondialdehyde and malonaldehyde levels as part of nutritional evaluation by our research group. The fried foods were purchased from food vendors within the University and lipid peroxidation assays carried out using standard methods. The levels of lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde in akara, bony fish, chiken and beef were 3.88±1.29, 3.39±1.13, 3.86±1.30 and 2.75±1.38 respectively. In the same manner, the levels of lipid peroxidation aldehydes were 3.43±1.14, 3.87±1.29, 1.51±0.75 and 1.66±1.66 for akara, fish, beef and chicken respectively. Among the carbohydrate foods, buns and fried yam had the highest level of malondialdehde and malonaldehyde while the fried plantain, potatoes and jellof rice contained less of the peroxidation products. All the protein and carbohydrate samples contained degradation products of lipid peroxidation and various levels of deteriorations. The lipid hydrogen peroxide and carbonyls detected call for caution in using frying as a local preparation method of carbohydrates and proteins. Keywords: lipid peroxidation, frying, carbohydrate, protein

Developing a mHealth intervention to promote uptake of HIV testing among African communities in the UK: a qualitative study

Background: HIV-related mHealth interventions have demonstrable efficacy in supporting treatment adherence, although the evidence base for promoting HIV testing is inconclusive. Progress is constrained by a limited understanding of processes used to develop interventions and weak theoretical underpinnings. This paper describes a research project that informed the development of a theory-based mHealth intervention to promote HIV testing amongst city-dwelling African communities in the UK. Methods: A community-based participatory social marketing design was adopted. Six focus groups (48 participants in total) were undertaken and analysed using a thematic framework approach, guided by constructs from the Health Belief Model. Key themes were incorporated into a set of text messages, which were pre-tested and refined. Results: The focus groups identified a relatively low perception of HIV risk, especially amongst men, and a range of social and structural barriers to HIV testing. In terms of self-efficacy around HIV testing, respondents highlighted a need for communities and professionals to work together to build a context of trust through co-location in, and co-involvement of, local communities which would in turn enhance confidence in, and support for, HIV testing activities of health professionals. Findings suggested that messages should: avoid an exclusive focus on HIV, be tailored and personalised, come from a trusted source, allay fears and focus on support and health benefits. Conclusions: HIV remains a stigmatized and de-prioritized issue within African migrant communities in the UK, posing barriers to HIV testing initiatives. A community-based participatory social marketing design can be successfully used to develop a culturally appropriate text messaging HIV intervention. Key challenges involved turning community research recommendations into brief text messages of only 160 characters. The intervention needs to be evaluated in a randomized control trial. Future research should explore the application of the processes and methodologies described in this paper within other communities