The Scientificity of the Social Sciences: A Reflection on the Deductive Nomological Model of Explanation

The possibility of having a science of human life brings into question whether the methods use in the sciences can be successfully applied in the prediction of human behaviour. This further questions the demarcation between science and the social sciences. This paper, however, argues that the use of DN model of explanation both in the social and natural sciences portends a boundary deconstruction of the two fields of enquiry. While engaging critical analysis method of enquiry, this paper dissects the DN model of explanation and argues that the social sciences are sciences and as such we can have scientific laws to predict, explain and control human behaviour

Detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis IgM and IgG Antibodies and Associated Risk Factors Among Apparently Healthy Undergraduate Students of a Private University in South-West Nigeria

Background: Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is frequent among Nigerians. Many people are infected without realizing it (asymptomatic) and thus provide a risk of transmission to others. Not only will early treatment prevent TB complications, but it will also help to break the infection cycle in a community. Objective: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis IgM and IgG antibodies and associated risk factors among apparently healthy undergraduate Students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. Methodology: The serum samples of 100 consenting participants were collected randomly and screened for TB antibodies using Aria TB IgG/IgM Combo Rapid Antibody Test Cassette (CTK Biotech Inc. Poway, CA 92064, USA). A structured questionnaire was administered to consenting students to obtain information on their bio-data (e.g, the age, sex, study level etc.), as well as clinical information regarding their health (History of TB, history of BCG vaccination, use of anti-TB medications, alcohol consumption, smoking habits etc.). Results: The outcome of this study shows that 15 (15%) out of the 100 participants screened, were positive for TB IgG antibody, while, only 1 (1%) person was positive for TB IgM antibody. There was no significant association (P>0.05) between percentage TB IgG positivity and the socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants (gender, age, study level and tribe), except for religion. The percentage of TB IgG positivity among the study participants was found to be significantly higher than of TB IgM positivity (P<0.05). None of the 15 participants who tested positive to TB IgG indicated any of the signs and symptoms (persistent cough, chest pain, nausea, fever, chills, loss of appetite, fatigue and night sweat) associated with TB), however the only person who tested positive for TB IgM indicated all, except night sweat. Identified risk factors associated with the occurrence of TB IgM include history of TB, lack of BCG vaccination, history of diabetes and physical unfitness. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that asymptomatic and latent tuberculosis infection exists among the study participants, and that if left untreated, it will progress to active tuberculosis with all of its associated complications, including death. This emphasizes the importance of ongoing public health education, BCG vaccination, and periodic screening to detect asymptomatic cases in the study population in order to break the infection cycle

Freedom of Expression and Information Amidst Strict Social Media Regulation in Nigeria: An Appraisal of the Twitter Ban

There have been constant efforts by the successive government in Nigerian to regulate and control the social media. More worries have been voiced about how social media harbours misinformation, cyberbullying and fake news which are largely believed by credulous members of the public. As a result, there have been a lot of contentions surrounding attempts to stifle or enact policies to control social media. The focus of this study, however, is to examine how social media regulations reflect on freedom of expression and information in Nigeria, using the experience of Twitter (now X) ban as a practical lesson to draw from. Some of the research objectives were developed to establish how the twitter ban relates to freedom of expression and information; to determine the various impact of the Twitter ban on freedom of expression and information; to evaluate the public perception of Twitter ban on the freedom of expression and information. A sample size of 385 was drawn with the use of survey design using online google form to gather responses from knowledgeable practitioners who were purposively selected from various media organizations in Nigeria. The findings revealed that 100% Twitter is as a platform for freedom of expression and information and the ban was a direct threat to freedom of information. It was agreed that stiff regulation on any social media platform, constitute a direct restraint to fundamental rights of expression and information. The respondents also indicated that the ban was a systemic infringement on human right. The study recommend that Nigeria should serve as a role model for liberal democracy and the rule of law that protects human right. Keywords:Media Twitter, Twitter Ban, Freedom of Information, Freedom of Expression DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/14-2-04 Publication date:March 31st 202

Transplacental transfer of Lassa IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study.

BackgroundEvidence from previous studies suggest that Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa has high case fatalities, particularly in pregnancy. While there have been remarkable innovations in vaccine development, with some Lassa vaccines undergoing early clinical trials. An understanding of Lassa antibody kinetics and immune responses will support vaccine design and development. However, there is currently no evidence on the antibody kinetics of Lassa (LASV) in pregnancy. Our study sought to estimate the efficiency of transplacental transfer of LASV IgG antibodies from the mother to the child.Methodology/principal findingsThe study made use of data from a prospective hospital-based cohort of pregnant women enrolled at the antenatal clinic and followed up at delivery between February and December 2019. Blood samples from mother-child pairs were evaluated for antibodies against Lassa virus. The study demonstrates a transplacental transfer of LASV IgG of 75.3% [60.0-94.0%], with a significant positive correlation between maternal and cord concentrations and a good level of agreement. The study also suggests that transfer may be more variable in women with 'de novo' antibodies compared to those with pre-existing antibodies.Conclusions/significanceThe study shows that maternal antibody levels play an important role in determining transfer efficiency of Lassa antibodies to the new-born; and while the evidence is preliminary, the study also suggests that transfer efficiency may be less stable in acute or recent infection, as such timing of vaccination before pregnancy, that is in women of childbearing age may be more appropriate for protection of both pregnant women and their neonates

Bland-Altman plot showing agreement between maternal and cord Lassa and TT IgG antibodies.

Note: IV- index value; dotted black lines indicate limits of agreement (± 2sddiff); dotted red line indicates mean difference between maternal and cord concentrations; mdiff- mean difference; sddiff- standard deviation of differences.</p

Linear regression analysis of the effect of different factors on the transfer ratio of LASV IgG antibodies.

Linear regression analysis of the effect of different factors on the transfer ratio of LASV IgG antibodies.</p

Correlation plots for LASV IgG assessed by Spearman’s correlation (r) using linear regression.

Note: +/+ indicates seropositive from baseline. -/+ indicates seroconversion. The dotted black horizontal line indicates the line of efficient transfer (CMR = 1); IV- index value, an arbitrary antibody concentration unit based on manufacturer’s guide; mCMR- median cord maternal ratio; black and red lines are regression lines with the corresponding 95% confidence interval fitted to the regression line.</p

S4 Table -

(A) Linear regression analysis of the effect of different factors on the transfer ratio of LASV IgG antibodies amongst mothers with pre-existing antibodies. Note: β- regression coefficient showing change in cord LASV IgG concentration; CI- confidence interval; CMR- cord–maternal ratio; conc- concentration; IgG- immunoglobulin G; LASV- Lassa virus; LF- Lassa fever; N- total number of pregnant women included in analysis. a Adjusted for factors marginally significant in the univariate regression (crude p(B) Linear regression analysis of the effect of different factors on the transfer ratio of LASV IgG antibodies amongst mothers who seroconverted. Note: β- regression coefficient showing change in cord LASV IgG concentration; CI- confidence interval; CMR- cord–maternal ratio; conc- concentration; IgG- immunoglobulin G; LASV- Lassa virus; LF- Lassa fever; N- total number of pregnant women included in analysis. a Adjusted for factors marginally significant in the univariate regression (crude p(C) Linear regression analysis of the effect of different factors on the transfer ratio of LASV IgG antibodies amongst mothers who were seronegative. Note: β- regression coefficient showing change in cord LASV IgG concentration; CI- confidence interval; CMR- cord–maternal ratio; conc- concentration; IgG- immunoglobulin G; LASV- Lassa virus; LF- Lassa fever; N- total number of pregnant women included in analysis. a Adjusted for factors marginally significant in the univariate regression (crude p (DOCX)</p

TT IgG concentrations and cord maternal ratio by various maternal and neonate characteristics.

TT IgG concentrations and cord maternal ratio by various maternal and neonate characteristics.</p