Impact of economic globalization on human capital: Evidence from Nigerian economy

Investment in human capital in relation to global world is to achieve an optimum return in terms of a gainful employment, productivity and high standard of living. This paper uses autoregressive distributed lag model to determine the cointegration, long run and short run elasticities among human capital, economic growth, economic globalization and foreign direct investment (FDI), for the period 1980-2011. The empirical results reveal that there is a long run relationship among the variables tested in this study. Also, economic growth and FDI show a positive impact on human capital and economic globalization indicates a negative impact on human capital in Nigeria

DEMOGRAPHIC VARAIBLES AS THE DETERMINANT OF HOME CHORES AMONG MARRIED COUPLES IN SELECTED TOWNS IN EKITI STATE

This research focuses on the demographic variables as the determinant of home chores among married couples in selected towns in Ekiti state. The main objective of the study is to primarily investigate if demographic characteristics of couples are strong enough to determine carrying out home chores among the people of Ekiti. This study is exploratory in nature and was carried out purposively in selected urban areas like Ado-Ekiti, Ikere, Aramoko and Igede. A total number of 400 respondents were drawn. However, only 394 (98.5%) of the questionnaires were dully filled and it was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. The quantitative data was presented in tables, frequency and percentages. The results showed that most of the respondents (29.9%) were between the age of 37-47 years, (50.3%) were female, (45.2%) had B.Sc/HND, (32.0%) were civil servants, (55.8%) earn between N20,000-N60,000 monthly, (44.2%) of the respondents had family size of 4-6 members, (74.1%) of the couples were monogamy while (49.2%) had between 3-4 children. On home chores respondents were familiar with, laundry work which was mostly known (69.5%) while (39.6%) respondents had little familiarity with babysitting. In respect to home chores statistics shows that (71.6%) respondents basically arrange and organize home while (48.2%) rarely babysit. In respect to whether demographic variables of the respondents determine a set of home chores which married couples engage in, there was a thin line between the responses provided by the respondents. About 45.7% of the respondents said yes while 45.2% said no to the above assertion. This research recommends that married couples should help themselves in doing or carrying out any form of home chores irrespective of their religion or cultural differences. This would invariably foster and sustain peace among the couples. The study concluded that socio-demographic variables do not determine the type, set and volume of home chores couples in Ekiti state engage in at any point in time

Influence of Weed Control Methods on Viability and Vigour of Maize (Zea mays L.) Seeds

Weed control method of choice should achieve the objective of controlling weeds without sacrificing seed quality. The influence of Combination of mechanical method (slashing at 2, and 4 week intervals), and herbicide (pre-emergence and post emergence) for weed control in maize on seed quality (viability and vigour) of maize seeds were evaluated.. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of pre-emergence (Diuron 50% SC {N (3, 4-dichlorophenyl) N, N-dimethyl urea} and post-emergence (Atrazine 50FW-{6 chloro-N-methyl-N-(1-methylethyl) 1, 3, 5-triazine, 2, 4 diamine}) herbicides either alone, or in combination with slashing at two and four-week, on seed quality. Combination of pre-emergence herbicide and slashing 2-weeks after planting  slashing gave the highest viability (91.37%) and lowest conductivity value (2.79 µS/cm/g), whereas combination of post emergence herbicide and 4 week slashing gave the lowest viability (77.67%) and the highest conductivity value (15.71 µS/cm/g). In accelerated ageing test, combination of pre-emergence herbicide with either 2 week slashing, or 4 week slashing  WAP gave the highest viability (84%), whereas combination of post emergence herbicide with 2 week slashing gave the lowest viability (51.33%) and lowest germination rate index (10.37). Combination of pre-emergence herbicide and 2-week slashing is the best complementary option for weed control in maize seed crop. Keywords; pre-emergence, post-emergence herbicides,  seed physiology,  maize seed viabilit

A Rare Case of Nonsecretory Multiple Myeloma in Lagos, Nigeria: A Case Report and Literature Review

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell disorder associated with clonal proliferation of plasma cells. Nonsecretory multiple myeloma (NSMM) is a rare variant of MM and accounts for approximately 1% to 5% of all cases. It is defined as symptomatic myeloma without detectable monoclonal immunoglobulin on serum or urine electrophoresis. This variant usually poses a diagnostic challenge to the clinician. We present a 60-year-old Nigerian man who was investigated extensively for bone pain, weight loss, and anaemia. He was eventually diagnosed as having nonsecretory multiple myeloma based on histology and immunohistochemistry results of bone marrow trephine biopsy. He is currently being managed with bortezomib, doxorubicin, and thalidomide, as well as zoledronic acid. He is also on anticoagulation. He continues to show remarkable clinical improvement. We describe this case report and literature review for better awareness amongst medical practitioners and pathologists

Business Ethics, Corporate Philosophy and Regulatory Challenges in the Confectionary Industry: An Evaluation of the Bread Market in Nigeria

This study sets out to identify why - in the process of “doing business”- most organizations in Nigeria resort to offering sub standard products to the public, particularly as regards food products. This approach allows businesses to make excess profit without recourse to best ethical practices, the supposed corporate philosophy of their organizations, and to the detriment of the customers. Indiscriminate profit maximization” mentality is now on the increase within the confectionary industry in Nigeria; thus the paper considered the theory of public interest and gives an insight to Kant’s ethical philosophy with a view to critically evaluate the role of The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); the agency charged with the responsibility of upholding best ethical practices among confectionary and related industries in Nigeria. The study also identified some lapses in the discharge of NAFDAC’s regulatory functions which have contributed to the incidence of unethical practices among Nigerian business organisations. The paper therefore recommends that NAFDAC operations be re-evaluated for better operational performanc

Fifth-generation small cell backhaul capacity enhancement and large-scale parameter effect

The proliferation of handheld devices has continued to push the demand for higher data rates. Network providers will use small cells as an overlay to macrocell in fifth-generation (5G) for network capacity enhancement. The current cellular wireless backhauls suffer from the problem of insufficient backhaul capacity to cater to the new small cell deployment scenarios. Using the 3D digital map of Lagos Island in the Wireless InSite, small cells are deployed on a street canyon and in high-rise scenarios to simulate the backhaul links to the small cells at 28 GHz center frequency and 100 MHz bandwidth. Using a user-defined signal to interference plus noise ratio-throughput (SINR-throughput) table based on an adaptive modulation and coding scheme (MCS), the throughput values were generated based on the equation specified by 3GPP TS 38.306 V15.2.0 0, which estimates the peak data rate based on the modulation order and coding rate for each data stream calculated by the propagation model. Finding shows achieved channel capacity is comparable with gigabit passive optical networks (GPON) used in fiber to the ‘X’ (FTTX) for backhauling small cells. The effect of channel parameters such as root mean squared (RMS) delay spread and RMS angular spread on channel capacity are also investigated and explained

Oil Price Fluctuations and Dependency Malaise: What will Engender Socio-economic Adjustments?

The fluctuations and volatility associated with international crude oil prices confirms and contradicts historical trends in varying respects. For several oil dependent African countries, the characteristic price oscillations necessitate deliberate policy and institutional adjustments. In such circumstances, it seems plausible to prioritize social and economic policy options. Veiled beneath the anticipated and unanticipated movements of oil prices lies a myriad of issues yearning for clear dissection. A fluid approach is tenable to scrutinize established and emerging questions connected with this recurring phenomenon. The ongoing geopolitical re-arrangements across various regions, uncertainties about the renewable energy agenda and policy preferences, further reinforce the importance of distilling a veritable compromise for oil revenue dependent countries. The paper entails a critique on issues impacting on the bottom-line of selected oil export centric economies and amongst other contextual dynamics. It specifically highlights matters dealing with capacity deficits, oil industry transparency and governance imperatives, policy inconsistencies, economic diversification, corporate social responsibility and optimizing governmental regulation. The paper also captures contemporary resource management perspectives, especially against the backdrop of evolving socio-economic dynamics. Applicable conceptual and theoretical views are explored, whilst practical conclusions are discussed. Keywords: crude oil; oil price; oil-dependence; socio-economic policy; Africa JEL Classifications: Q31; Q32; Q35; Q38 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.679

Quality of sleep in an HIV population on antiretroviral therapy at an urban tertiary centre in Lagos, Nigeria

Aim. To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbance and its associated characteristics in HIV-positive outpatients on HAART using the PSQI. Methods. Using a cross-sectional design, 300 patients attending the outpatient HIV/AIDS clinic at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital were recruited. Baseline data obtained included the participants’ demographic data, educational qualification, and marital status. Their treatment history, including duration since HIV diagnosis, the most recent CD4 cell count, and current antiretroviral therapies, was obtained from their case records. Each participant completed the PSQI questionnaire and those with scores ≥5 were diagnosed with poor sleep quality. Results. The participants were made up of 70.7% females and 29.3% males. Their ages ranged between 18 and 74 years with a mean of 38.9 ± 10.3 years. According to the PSQI, 59.3% reported poor sleep quality. The mean score of those with poor quality sleep (9.2 ± 3.3) was comparable to that of those with good quality sleep (1.26 ± 1.4). \u1d443 < 0.001. Significant differences were observed in all the individual components of the PSQI (\u1d443 < 0.001). On multivariate analyses, the independent associations with sleep quality were the duration since HIV diagnosis (\u1d443 = 0.29), efavirenz based regimen (\u1d443 < 0.001), and lower CD4 cell count (\u1d443 < 0.001). Conclusions. Sleep disturbances are quite common in the HIV population even in the era of HAART. Early recognition via routine assessment and effective treatments could prevent the resultant complications and improve quality of life