Determinants of household direct CO2 emissions: Empirical evidence from Nigeria

The excess concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the earth’s atmosphere has been identified by scientists as the major cause of climate change. If left uncontrolled, this has grave implication for sustainable development. Hence, there is need to formulate and implement informed based climate change mitigation policy. Data on household socio-economic and demographic variables were obtained from the 2015 General Household Survey and household direct CO2 emissions was estimated using the Linear Multiplier Factor Method. An Environmental Kuznets Curve based econometric model was specified and the parameters were estimated using the Ordinary Least Squares technique. At the national level, results revealed that household income, household size, household head gender, literacy ratio and motorisation have significant positive impacts on carbon emissions. However, literacy ratio contradicts a priori expectation. Male population, polygamy and age of household head have insignificant effects. Both age and household income show significant non-linear relationship with household carbon emissions. For urban and rural households, results revealed that household income, household size and household head gender have significant positive effects. Age and motorisation significantly affects urban household carbon emissions. Other factors do not have significant effects on urban household and rural household carbon emissions. The study concludes that household income, household size, motorisation and literacy ratio are the quantitative factors that influence the level of Nigerian household carbon emissions. Based on the research results, the study recommends policies to the government

Determinants of household direct CO2 emissions: Empirical evidence from Nigeria

The excess concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the earth’s atmosphere has been identified by scientists as the major cause of climate change. If left uncontrolled, this has grave implication for sustainable development. Hence, there is need to formulate and implement informed based climate change mitigation policy. Data on household socio-economic and demographic variables were obtained from the 2015 General Household Survey and household direct CO2 emissions was estimated using the Linear Multiplier Factor Method. An Environmental Kuznets Curve based econometric model was specified and the parameters were estimated using the Ordinary Least Squares technique. At the national level, results revealed that household income, household size, household head gender, literacy ratio and motorisation have significant positive impacts on carbon emissions. However, literacy ratio contradicts a priori expectation. Male population, polygamy and age of household head have insignificant effects. Both age and household income show significant non-linear relationship with household carbon emissions. For urban and rural households, results revealed that household income, household size and household head gender have significant positive effects. Age and motorisation significantly affects urban household carbon emissions. Other factors do not have significant effects on urban household and rural household carbon emissions. The study concludes that household income, household size, motorisation and literacy ratio are the quantitative factors that influence the level of Nigerian household carbon emissions. Based on the research results, the study recommends policies to the government

Modelling the Global Prevalence of COVID-19: An Econometric Approach

Nearly all economies of the world suffered from the sudden outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic emanating from Wuhan City of China to the rest of the world. A number of studies have been conducted to investigate the drivers of the spread of the viral infection. We differ from existing studies by employing a cross-sectional quantile regression approach to uncover socio-economic conditions that are instrumental in the spread of COVID-19 in Africa, Asia, America and Europe. Across the continents, we observed that life expectancy, the size of the aged population and spending on the health sector have significant impacts on the spread of COVID-19. We also noted the specific roles of out-of-pocket spending, net migration and tourism attraction for Africa, America and Europe, respectively, in driving the viral spread. We therefore draw policy implications in terms of the need for improved spending on health sector across continents and the need to intensify health checks for travelers and immigrants, and also the need to emphasize regular check-ups for all individuals across continents since current realities have shown that no age-group is spared of contracting the viral infection

Admission hypothermia in preterm infants seen at a public tertiary hospital, south-western Nigeria

Background: Hypothermia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in neonates particularly in preterm infants who may need referral to tertiary centres to access care. The study aimed to document the incidence and characteristics of admission hypothermia in preterm infants seen in the neonatal unit of our hospital. Methods: A retrospective study reviewing the 1-year clinical records of admissions into our neonatal unit. Core temperature is routinely taken for all babies at admission with a low-reading digital thermometer. Hypothermia was defined as temperature <36.5℃; and subclassified into mild (36.0-36.4℃), moderate (32.0-36.0℃) and severe (<32℃). Statistical analysis was with Chi square analysis, student’s t-test, and Spearman correlation. P was set at 0.05. Results: During the study period, 278 babies were admitted into our neonatal unit of which 87 (31.3%) were preterm and 191 (68.7%) were term. The incidence of admission hypothermia in preterm infants was 35.6% and 15.2% in term babies (p=0.0003). There was a higher incidence of hypothermia in outborn (62%) compared to inborn babies (52%) (p=0.71). A strong positive correlation existed between the degree of hypothermia and both the gestational age and birthweights of the preterm infants; for mild hypothermia, p=0.002 while for moderate hypothermia, p=0.000. There was a higher mortality in preterms with hypothermia compared to those without hypothermia (p=0.22). Conclusions: A high incidence of admission hypothermia in preterm infants is reported in this study. Commencing immediate kangaroo mother care for preterm infants irrespective of the place of birth could help address this problem

Prevalence of microalbuminuria among adults with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus at OOUTH, Sagamu

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a serious global epidemic. The menace of this chronic disease is attributable to its chronic complications which threaten both the world economy and life expectancy, especially in Sub- Saharan Africa. Nephropathy is a complication of Diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of End Stage Renal Disease. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria as well as the effects of co-morbidities on the pattern of microalbuminuria among adults with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Methods: A total of 325 adults with Diabetes mellitus and 100 controls without Diabetes mellitus were studied. The subjects with diabetes were classified into four groups ([i] diabetes only, [ii] diabetes with hypertension, [iii] diabetes with obesity and [iv] diabetes with hypertension and obesity). Urinary protein, microalbuminuria, fasting plasma glucose and Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured using standard methods. Results: The overall prevalence of microalbuminuria was 35.1% in the diabetic population compared to 8.0% in the control group. The prevalence of microalbuminuria in the various diabetic subgroups were as follows: 30.3% (diabetes only), 43.1% (diabetes with hypertension), 37.0% (diabetes with obesity) and 44.6% (diabetes with hypertension and obesity). The fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c were statistically significantly higher in the diabetic population than the control group. This indicated that there is a poor glycaemic control in the diabetic population and hence a possible cause of diabetic nephropathy. Conclusion: The risk of diabetic nephropathy was significant in the study population. The presence of one or more co-morbidities and poor glycaemic control increased the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy

Effect of age, impaction types and operative time on inflammatory tissue reactions following lower third molar surgery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Postoperative mobidity following third molar surgery is affected by a number of factors. The study of these factors is essential for effective planning and limitation of morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of age, type of impaction and operative time on immediate postoperative tissue reactions following mandibular third molar surgery.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Consecutive patients with impacted mandibular third molar teeth were studied. All the third molars were classified according to Winter's classification. Surgical extraction was performed on all the patients by a single surgeon under local anaesthesia. The operation time was determined by the time lapse between incision and completion of suturing. Postoperative pain, swelling and trismus were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 120 patients with an age range of 19-42 years. Patients in the age range of 35-42 years recorded a lower pain score (p = 0.5) on day 1. The mouth opening was much better in the lower age group on day 2 and 5 (p = 0.007 and p = 0.01 respectively). Pain, swelling and trismus increased with increasing operative time. Distoangular impaction was significantly associated with higher VAS score on day 1 and 2 (p = 0.01, 0.0, 04). Distoangular and horizontal impaction are associated with a higher degree of swelling and reduced mouth opening on postoperative review days. Vertical impaction was associated with the least degree of facial swelling and best mouth opening.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Increasing operating time and advancing age are associated with more postoperative morbidity, likewise distoangular and horizontal impaction types.</p

The Use of Language in Criminal Procedures Code (CPC) and the Nigeria Police Act and Regulations: A Critical Perspective

This paper examines issues that pertain to the use of language in law, with particular reference to the wordings of the Criminal Procedures Code (CPC) and the Police Act and Regulations. The major thrust of the study is that since law directly affects the lives of all the citizens of a particular country, the interpretations of statutes, bills and acts should not generate uncertainties in scope, meaning and effects.  The paper concludes that certain mechanisms should be put in place to minimize incidents of vagueness and indeterminacy of reference in the interpretations of such statutes and acts

A Linguistic (Stylistic) Reading of Ideological Discourse in Festus Iyayi’s Violence, The Contract and Heroes

This paper undertakes, through the prism of linguistic (stylistic) analysis, a reading of the ideological discourse in Festus Iyayi’s novels- Violence, The Contract, and Heroes, with the broad aim of establishing the nexus between literature and ideology, through the instrumentation of language, for societal transformation. The paper explores the symbiotic relationship between language and literature and how the former is used in the study and understanding of the latter. Attempt is made to identify the patterns of use of language with reference to the purpose of commenting on quality, the exegesis and interpretative meanings of the text. The scaffold upon which our analysis is anchored is the Marxist literary criticism based on socialist and dialectical theories. It is the contention of the Marxist theorists that literary works are a reflection of the social institutions from which they originate. Terry Eagleton has affirmed that Marxist criticism “is not merely sociology of literature” but paying attention to its forms, style and meaning with a view to grasping those forms, style and meaning “as the products of a particular history. In all, four major literary tools-narrative technique, lexical choice, dialogue and authorial comments are deployed as indices for our analytical framework, using the Critical Discourse Analysis. What is apparent is that no success can be achieved in the reading and understanding of a literacy text without a manifest use of language

A Linguistic (Critical Discourse) Analysis of Consumer Products’ Advertising in Nigeria

Language is the chief means by which humans communicate among themselves; it is also a veritable means of socialisation. In essence, language is an important arsenal used to influence others around us. Clive Johnson and Jackie Keddie (2011) assert that “the impact of what and how we communicate can be very profound for others”. This paper examines the use of language in the advertising industry and posits that in advertising, not only is language used to inform or sensitize, but it is also used to deceive. Language has immense power, and its impact depends entirely on how we wield it. Advertising has a great influence on our purchasing decisions. Consumers are exposed to countless commercial messages everyday “persuading them to buy brand name products”. This is achieved through certain contrivances, which the paper fully discusses. The searchlight of this paper beams on such questions as: does advertising tempt us into buying things we don’t need; does it affect us subliminally in ways we can’t control; how much latitude should marketers have in the kind of products they promote and how they advertise them; do consumers have some responsibilities in the process; what is the proper role of government, especially in protecting the consumers? In sum, the paper sets for itself the task of determining the “border line” between persuasion and deception, in the language of advertisement. It finds that through the subtle means of “appealing” and “persuading, certain deceptive contrivances and even outright falsehood are sued to hoodwink the consumer. The implications are that consumers are “tricked” to buy what they don’t really need; advertisers “overstretch” claim on their products and services; and, finally the advertising, not the product itself, becomes the selling point. It also recommends among others that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Advertisement Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria and such other regulatory agencies should be empowered to verify all claims in advertisements before such claims are published