A critical analysis of urban regeneration programmes in Europe

Urban regeneration is informed and driven by the causes and effects of globalization, climate change, the global economic crisis, and lifestyle changes. In Europe, there is currently a pressing demand to redevelop brownfields areas, inner-city heritage sites, post-conflict and post-disaster areas, and large-housing estates. Housing regeneration strategies range from large-scale to micro-scale interventions that lead to a complete change to the physical features of neighbourhoods and the life of their residents. This paper presents activities and cases studied in the OIKONET Erasmus Lifelong Learning Project, by highlighting that regeneration is an important issue driving the production of contemporary housing in Europe. The presented review is part of wider research and pedagogical work aimed at identifying significant conceptual, contextual and policy changes affecting housing regeneration demand. Examples of urban regeneration programmes on different urban areas in selected European countries, i.e. the UK, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia and Russia are examined. As a result of the comparison between the cases analysed, some conclusions can be drawn to inform future research and set up pedagogical programmes to be carried out within the OIKONET project

Effectiveness of sleep extension on athletic performance and nutrition of female track athletes

Adequate sleep is an essential component to rest and recovery for athletes. Detrimental effects of inadequate sleep (sleep deprivation), on athletes\u27 performance have been well documented. In contrast, increasing sleep (sleep extension), has not been thoroughly investigated in this population. Furthermore, the effect of sleep on an athlete\u27s nutrition behaviors and choices has yet to be determined.;PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of one additional hour of sleep on performance and nutrition behaviors on collegiate, female, track and field athletes.;METHODS: Twenty-one females (age 20.2 +/- 1.8 yrs) maintained normal sleep habits for one week. Baseline data were collected and followed by a one week sleep extension period. Physical performance was measured using a standard anaerobic test (Wingate Anaerobic Test). The Automated Self Administered (ASA) 24-hour food-recall questionnaire was used to test nutrient intake. Reaction time and mood, used in association with sleep efficiency, were measured using the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) and Profile of Mood States (POMS), respectively. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.;RESULTS: Subjects (n = 21) significantly increased total sleep from baseline (429.3 +/- 38 minutes, 451.4 +/- 44.8 minutes respectively; p = 0.03). Subjects showed a trend towards improvements in peak power (692.9 +/- 213.2 watts versus 713.5 +/- 214.6 watts) and slight decrements in fatigue index from baseline (37.3 +/- 10.6% versus 38.8 +/- 8.42%), however these were not significant (p = 0.07, p = 0.28 respectively). Mean PVT scores remained unchanged (p = 0.98) and POMS scores significantly decreased (p = 0.01) following more sleep. Although not significant, the athletes showed increased caloric intake (p = 0.87) with increased percentage of total fat (p = 0.24) after sleep extension.;CONCLUSION: No significant differences were seen in physical performance, however significant improvements in psychological performance (total mood disturbance score) was seen after sleep extension in college female track athletes. Increased caloric intake with an increase in dietary fat consumption was seen with more sleep, however not significant.;LIMITATIONS: Short sleep extension dosage may have limited the ability to detect a significant change in nutritional behaviors and physical performance in athletes

Women, peace and security in Nigeria: Examining the domestic and international legal framework

The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda is regarded by many as the most significant global framework for increasing the role ofwomen in conflict resolutions. The risks to women and children, and the importance of involving women in peace issues have beenrecognized as a global issue. There is a growing understanding of violence against women, generally and particularly in armed conflict including the issues of sexual violence. Women are often excluded from peace processes, reflecting the fact that the majority of the actors in conflicts are men and the masculine nature of conflict and peace. Hence this paper considers and highlights a range of ways in which women’s capacity can be developed so that their full inclusion in all peace and security developments can be achieved. This paper explores the issue of women participation in peace and security in Nigeria with special focus on the challenges and prospects. From the research, the paper finds that there exists a gap between the gender’s participation in issues relating to Peace and Security in Nigeria. The paper thereby recommends that the Nigerian government should develop legal frameworks and policies that will promote the inclusion of women in conflict resolutions. Keywords: Gender, Women, Peace, Sexual Violence, Security

Exploring Small Business Strategies in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Small business owners contribute 39% of Canada\u27s gross domestic product and account for 67% of new jobs created, but only 50% survive beyond the first 5 years of existence. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore what strategies some small business owners in Halifax, Nova Scotia used to sustain their business operations beyond the first 5 years. The study population consisted of 6 small business owners of professional firms located in Halifax, Nova Scotia who had succeeded in business beyond the first 5 years. The conceptual framework that grounded this study was the systems theory. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, a review of company documents, and archival records. Member checking of interview response data was used to strengthen the credibility of the findings. Based on the methodological triangulation of the data collected and the van Kaam process, themes that emerged after the data analysis were networking, product-advantage, business-centric approach, and human capital. The data and application of the findings from this study may contribute to social change by providing essential strategies for small business owners to ensure business success that could potentially lead to the prosperity of the community and Halifax economy

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in southwestern Nigeria and traditional healers’ perception of indigenous knowledge digitisation

This paper investigated the ethnobotany of medicinal plants among traditional healers in southwest Nigeria. It identified plants, the diseases they are used to treat, and explored the indigenous healers’ perceptions of digitisation of their medical knowledge. Structured interview schedule was used to elicit information from 18 interviewees. The study showed that 44 families, comprising 82 genera and 96 species with Asteraceae, Malvaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae having the highest number of genera and species. Species cited with high fidelity levels included  Phragmanthora capitata (100%), Anacardium occidentale (100%),  Anacardium occidentale (100%) and Gossypium hirsutum (80%).  Interviewees possessed an appreciation for computer; and were in fullsupport of documentation and digitisation of traditional medical knowledge. They perceived documentation, digitisation and involving libraries as ways of preserving traditional knowledge. Barriers to traditional healers’ practice included use of herbicides, scarcity of medicinal plants, urbanisation, undefined dosages and/or side effects, deforestation, overgrazing  activities, and bush burning. Documentation and digitisation of traditional healing knowledge should be treated with urgency thereby preserving the rich culture of Yoruba people for posterity. Libraries for indigenous knowledge systems should be established across Nigeria. Mounting courses at the general or first-degree levels can be contributory to medicinal plants preservation.Keywords: Digitisation, documentation, ethnobotany, medicinal plants, nigeria, traditional healers

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN A SEMI-URBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD

There are no published studies on impact of neighbourhood on domestic violence in Sango-Ota. This is the first study to examine formal and informal control method and the influence of family structure and socio-economic status on the occurrence of domestic violence in Sango-Ota. A closed-ended questionnaire with two open –ended questions was administered to married couples and other consenting adults at three selected neighbourhoods in Sango-Ota. A research question and one hypothesis were tested. The study tried to find out whether formal and informal control methods are effective. The research hypothesis states that there is a significant combined contribution of socio-economic conditions, family structure and years of marriage to incidences/occurrences of domestic violence in Sango-Ota. Of the 84 participants that reported cases of domestic violence, about two-thirds (61%) reported to their family members while 17 (21%) reported to close family friends. Only 4 (5%) participants had the courage to report to the law enforcement agency, in this case, the police. Risk factors identified to precipitate domestic violence are years of marriage (β= -.205; t = -2.792; p< 0.05) and the prevailing socio-economic status of the family (β= .437; t = 6.052; p< .0005). The findings show a low level reportage of cases of domestic violence. Higher socioeconomic status was found to be protective against domestic violence. Our findings also highlight the potential role of broader contextual or community-level interventions in reducing domestic violence in settings such as Sango-Ota which is a semi-urban area. We found evidence that improvements in the socioeconomic status of the participants will lead to significant reductions in the incidence of domestic violence. Keywords: Domestic Violence, Sango-Ota, Neighbourhood, Socioeconomic status, Polic

ATTITUDE OF TEACHERS TO STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN MAINSTREAMED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA: THE NEED FOR A CHANGE

The study investigated the attitude of regular and special teachers to students with special needs in mainstreamed public secondary schools in Southwestern Nigeria; it examined the qualifications of teachers teaching in mainstreamed public schools; and compared the academic performance of students with special needs in relation to regular students. It adopted descriptive survey design. Two research questions and three research hypotheses were answered in the study. The population for this study comprised 2,701 teachers in the 35 public secondary schools where mainstreaming of students with special needs is being implemented in Southwestern Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 10 out of the 35 mainstreamed public secondary schools. From the selected schools, 200 teachers were involved in the study. The teachers were selected through stratified sampling technique using sex and class as strata. Two research instruments were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using simple percentages and t-test analysis. The results showed that 78.8% teachers had positive attitude to students with special needs. 16.8% teachers had negative attitude to students with special needs, while 6.4% teachers had neutral attitude to students with special needs. Also, there was no significant difference between the attitude of male and female teachers to students with special needs (t=.45, p&gt;0.05). However, there was a significant difference between the attitude of special teachers and regular teachers to students with special needs (t=.91, p&lt;0.05). There was also a significant difference between the academic performance of regular students and students with special needs (t=6.38 p&lt;0.05). The study concluded that positive attitude of teachers to students with special needs would increase self-perception and academic performance of students with special needs. Thus, teachers’ attitudes undoubtedly had a great influence on the school achievement and social behaviours’ of the special needs childre

Professionalization of Teaching in Nigeria: Strategies, Prospects and Challenges

The teaching profession in Nigeria has gone through many stages and even today there are disagreements as to whether it should be called a profession; and this has been an issue of concern among educators, teachers, administrators, organizations and the public at large. This paper thus looked into the issue of professionalizing teaching for the development of the education sector in the country. The concepts of teaching and profession were viewed; traits of professionalism; the teaching profession in Nigeria; strategies, prospects and challenges facing teaching profession were identified; The study recommended that the government should look into the problem of general dissatisfaction with the teaching profession, such as poor teacher education programme; poor salaries and allowances; poor public image of the profession; and the desire of most teachers to enter another type of work with attractive remunerations

Studies in Family Planning Journal (2003 To 2009): A Bibliometric Study

This study investigates a bibliometric analysis of Studies in Family Planning journal from 2004 to 2009. It identified major areas of research focus, research design used, authorship patterns, affiliation of authors, citation patterns, continents of research focus and geographical distribution of authors. Findings revealed that family planning and sexual and reproductive health were key subjects of research. Surveys were mostly used for data collection. Authors tilted towards collaboration. Most authors were affiliated to universities. Also, the most cited information source was journal. Most of the articles were on developing countries and most authors were domiciled in developed countries with USA dominating the field. Increase on the topics on which articles are lean should be encouraged. More authors from developing countries should be encouraged. More articles focusing on developed countries should be welcomed to allow for comparative studies in medical research