25 research outputs found
Assessing the Incidence, Characteristics and Causes of Economic Obsolescence in Residential Properties– a Case Study of Ibadan Metropolis
No full textThe study examines the incidence, characteristics, and drivers of Economic Obsolescence (EO) in the residential property market of Ibadan, Nigeria. Economic obsolescence, unlike physical obsolescence, refers to externally induced depreciation that reduces property performance despite satisfactory physical condition. Ibadan provides a relevant case due to rising vacancy rates and declining rental values across several neighbourhoods. Guided by real estate literature, the study adopted a quantitative approach targeting Estate Surveyors and Valuers (ESVs), who are directly involved in managing and valuing residential properties. Using a non-probability convenience sampling technique, 110 structured questionnaires were administered, and 77 were duly completed, yielding a 70% response rate. The instrument captured respondents’ demographic and professional attributes, the incidence and nature of economic obsolescence in their portfolios, and their perceptions of underlying causes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, the Relative Importance Index (RII), and the Criterion Importance Score (CIS). Inferential analysis (ANOVA and LSD post-hoc tests) was conducted to examine perceptual variations among respondents. Findings show that fewer than 20% of properties exhibit each identified EO characteristic. The most prominent characteristics include the collapse of social amenities (RII = 0.269), poor road and drainage infrastructure (RII =0.253), and oversupply of similar property types (RII = 0.247). Locational disadvantage ranked as the most critical causative factor, followed by insecurity and infrastructural decay. The study recommends coordinated urban renewal, targeted infrastructure upgrades, improved security, and responsive local regulatory frameworks to mitigate economic obsolescence and enhance sustainable housing in Ibadan
Proximate and phytochemical analysis of aqueous leaf extract of solanum nigrum from Lagos, South-West Nigeria
No full textSolanum nigrum is a vegetable plant belonging to the family of Solanaceae. The ability to ascertain the quality and quantity of the chemical composition of a plant provides an insight on the possible optimum exploitation of the plant for ethnomedicinal and pharmaceutical purposes. This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituent and proximate composition of Solanum nigrum leaf from Ojo area of Lagos, Nigeria. Phytochemical screening and the proximate composition of Solanum nigrum leaf was performed using standard procedures. From the study, qualitative analysis of the aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum reveals that alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid, tannin, phenol, terpenoids, cardiac glycoside were present while anthraquinone and steroid were not detected. Quantitative phytochemical analysis showed the constituents to be in the following concentrations: phenol (38.17 ±0.33mg/100g), flavonoids (34.78 ± 0.26 mg/100g) and terpenoids (34. 92 ± 0.28 mg/100g), tannin (30.32 ± 0.24 mg/100g), cardiac glycoside (30.23 ± 0.22 mg/100g), saponin (18.06 ± 1.39 mg/100g) and alkaloid (12.61 ± 0.81 mg/100g). Proximate composition included carbohydrate (71.91± 0.43%), protein (2.21 ± 0.06%), crude fat (0.49 ± 0.10), moisture (1.65 ± 0.09%), ash (3.49 ± 0.17%) and crude fibre (20.23 ± 0.19%). Phytoconstituents of S. nigrum from Ojo area of Lagos State are comparable to those from other parts of the world. With the exception of steroids, phytoconstituents of S. nigrum from Ojo area of Lagos State are comparable to those from other parts of the world. The presence of these phytoconstituents suggests their medicinal value
Comparative Effect of Poultry Manure, Ash and NPK Fertilizer on Soil Chemical Properties and Trifoliate Yam (Dioscorea dumetorum) Performance in an Alfisol of Southwestern Nigeria
No full textThe decline in soil fertility is a fundamental impediment to agricultural growth and food production. This has necessitated the growing search for efficient soil fertility improvement practices. The field experiment was conducted in Akure during the major cropping seasons of 2013 and 2014 to assess the effect of different amendments on the chemical properties of an Alfisol using trifoliate yam (Dioscorea dumetorum) as a test crop. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were Poultry Manure (PM) at 20tha-1, Wood Ash (WA) at 20tha-1, NPK 15:15:15 at 400kgha- 1 and a Control (CTRL) (no soil amendment). Data collected on soil chemical properties and crop growth and yield performance were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results of this study indicated that WA increased the number of leaves, vine length, tuber length and tuber weight of yam and also improved soil pH, OC, N, P, K, Ca and Mg compared with the CTRL (control). NPK did not increase the yield of trifoliate yam but improved the soil nutrient concentrations compared with the CTRL (control). Relative to the control, WA increased the tuber weight by 14% in 2013 and 34% in 2014 respectively. Compared with NPK fertilizer, WA improved tuber yield of trifoliate by 17% in 2013 and 31% in 2014 respectively. Wood Ash amendment applied at 20 t/ha gave the highest yam tuber yield compared with other treatments and therefore recommended for yam production on an Alfisol for improving soil fertility conditions and sustained productivity
Informed consent comprehension in African research settings
No full textObjectivePrevious reviews on participants' comprehension of informed consent information have focused on developed countries. Experience has shown that ethical standards developed on Western values may not be appropriate for African settings where research concepts are unfamiliar. We undertook this review to describe how informed consent comprehension is defined and measured in African research settings.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search involving five electronic databases: Medline, Embase, Global Health, EthxWeb and Bioethics Literature Database (BELIT). We also examined African Index Medicus and Google Scholar for relevant publications on informed consent comprehension in clinical studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. 29 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria; meta-analysis was possible in 21 studies. We further conducted a direct comparison of participants' comprehension on domains of informed consent in all eligible studies.ResultsComprehension of key concepts of informed consent varies considerably from country to country and depends on the nature and complexity of the study. Meta-analysis showed that 47% of a total of 1633 participants across four studies demonstrated comprehension about randomisation (95% CI 13.9–80.9%). Similarly, 48% of 3946 participants in six studies had understanding about placebo (95% CI 19.0–77.5%), while only 30% of 753 participants in five studies understood the concept of therapeutic misconception (95% CI 4.6–66.7%). Measurement tools for informed consent comprehension were developed with little or no validation. Assessment of comprehension was carried out at variable times after disclosure of study information. No uniform definition of informed consent comprehension exists to form the basis for development of an appropriate tool to measure comprehension in African participants.ConclusionsComprehension of key concepts of informed consent is poor among study participants across Africa. There is a vital need to develop a uniform definition for informed consent comprehension in low literacy research settings in Africa. This will be an essential step towards developing appropriate tools that can adequately measure informed consent comprehension. This may consequently suggest adequate measures to improve the informed consent procedure.ObjectifLes normes éthiques élaborées selon les valeurs occidentales ne sont peut-être pas appropriées au contexte africain où les concepts de recherche ne sont pas familiers. Cette revue décrit comment la compréhension du consentement éclairé est définie et mesurée dans les cadres de recherche africains.MéthodesDes recherches ont été effectuées sur Medline, Embase, Global Health, EthxWeb, base de données de la Bioéthique Littérature, Index Medicus African et Google Scholar pour des publications pertinentes sur la compréhension du consentement éclairé dans les études cliniques menées en Afrique sub-saharienne. 29 études répondaient aux critères d'inclusion; une méta-analyse a été possible pour 21 études. La compréhension des participants sur les domaines du consentement éclairé dans toutes les études admissibles a été comparée directement.RésultatsLa compréhension des concepts clés du consentement éclairé varie considérablement selon les pays et dépend de la nature et de la complexité de l’étude. La méta-analyse a montré que 47% des participants ont compris la randomisation (IC95%: 13,9 - 80,9%), 48% ont compris le placebo (IC95%: 19,0 - 77,5%), 30% ont compris le concept de méprise thérapeutique (IC95%: 4,6 - 66,7%). Les outils de mesure de la compréhension du consentement éclairé étaient développés avec peu ou pas de validation.ConclusionsLa compréhension des concepts clés du consentement éclairé est faible en Afrique. Il y a une nécessité vitale d’élaborer une définition uniforme pour la compréhension du consentement éclairé dans les cadres de recherche avec un faible niveau d'alphabétisation en Afrique.ObjetivoLos estándares éticos desarrollados basándose en valores occidentales podrían no ser apropiados para emplazamientos Africanos en donde los conceptos de investigación no son familiares. En esta revisión se describe como la comprensión del consentimiento informado se define y mide en un centro de investigación Africano.MétodosSe buscaron publicaciones relevantes sobre la comprensión del consentimiento informado en estudios clínicos en África subsahariana en Medline, Embase, Global Health, EthxWeb, Bioethics Literature Database, African Index Medicus y Google Scholar. 29 estudios satisfacían los criterios de inclusión y el metaanálisis era posible para 21. La comprensión del consentimiento informado por parte de los participantes se comparó directamente en todos los estudios elegibles.ResultadosLa comprensión de conceptos claves del consentimiento informado varió de forma considerable entre países, y dependía de la naturaleza y de la complejidad del estudio. El meta-análisis mostró que un 47% entendía la aleatorización (IC 95% 13.9-80.9%); un 48% entendía el placebo (IC 95% 19.0-77.5%); y un 30% entendió el concepto terapéutico errado (IC 95% 4.6-66.7%). Las herramientas para medir la comprensión del consentimiento informado se desarrollaron con poca o ninguna validación.ConclusionesEn África, la comprensión de conceptos claves del consentimiento informado es pobre. Existe una necesidad vital de desarrollar una definición uniforme para la comprensión del consentimiento informado en lugares con bajos niveles de alfabetización en África
Prevalence of orofacial clefts in Nigeria
No full textOrofacial clefts are the most common malformations of the head and neck. In Africa, orofacial clefts are underascertained, with little or no surveillance system in most parts for clefts and other birth defects. A Nigerian craniofacial anomalies study, NigeriaCRAN, was established in 2006 to support cleft research specifically for epidemiological studies, treatment outcomes, and studies into etiology and prevention. We pooled data from seven of the largest Smile Train treatment centers in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Data from September 2006 to June 2011 were analyzed and clefts compared between sides and genders using the Fisher exact test. A total of 2197 cases were identified during the study period, with an estimated prevalence rate of 0.5 per 1000. Of the total number of orofacial clefts, 54.4% occur in males and 45.6% in females. There was a significant difference (P = .0001) between unilateral left clefts and unilateral right clefts, and there was a significant difference (P = .0001) between bilateral clefts and clefts on either the left or right side. A significant gender difference (P = .03) was also observed for cleft palate, with more females than males. A total of 103 (4.7%) associated anomalies were identified. There were nine syndromic cleft cases, and 10.4% of the total number of individuals with clefts have an affected relative. The significant difference between unilateral clefts and the gender differences in the proportion of cleft palate only are consistent with the literature. The present study emphasizes the need for birth defects registries in developing countries in order to estimate the exact prevalence of birth defects including orofacial clefts
A year prospective study on the epidemiology and clinical presentation of odontogenic tumors in Nigeria
No full textAuthor Correction: High-depth African genomes inform human migration and health
No full textIn this Article, the affiliation ‘South African National Bioinformatics Network, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa’, which is associated with authors Gordon Wells and Judit Kumuthini, should be ‘South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa’. In addition, author Gordon Wells should be associated with an additional affiliation, ‘Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa’. In Fig. 1a, the circle representing the data for South Africa should be dark grey (indicating the AGVP data source) rather than light grey (indicating the 1000G data source). The Article has been corrected online
Genes, culture and agriculture : an example of human niche construction
No full textK. N. Laland was supported by an ERC Advanced Grant (EVOCULTURE).Theory and empirical data from a variety of disciplines strongly imply that recent human history involves extensive gene-culture coevolution, much of it as a direct result of human agricultural practices. Here we draw on niche-construction theory (NCT) and gene-culture coevolutionary theory (GCT) to propose a broad theoretical framework (NCT-GCT) with which archaeologists and anthropologists can explore coevolutionary dynamics. Humans are enormously potent niche constructors, and understanding how niche construction regulates ecosystem dynamics is central to understanding the impact of human populations on their ecological and developmental environments. We use as primary examples the evolution of dairying by Neolithic groups in Europe and Africa and the rise of the “sickle-cell allele” among certain agricultural groups in West Africa and suggest that these examples are broadly representative of much of human recent history. Although the core aspects of these case studies are familiar, we lay out the examples with a specific NCT-GCT focus, which allows us to highlight how archaeology, when coupled with genetic research, can play an important role in better understanding human history. Finally, we suggest that the NCT-GCT perspective is likely to be of widespread general utility because it inherently promotes consideration of the active agency of humans, and other organisms, in modifying their ecological and developmental niches and naturally draws attention to the various forms of feedback that flow from human activities at multiple levels, in multiple populations, and across multiple species.Peer reviewe
Joint analysis of the BCL11A variants <i>rs6545816</i> and <i>rs1427407</i>.
No full textJoint analysis of the BCL11A variants rs6545816 and rs1427407.</p
