14 research outputs found
A disaggregated ARDL analysis of capital formation on economic growth in Nigeria: Evidence from the endogenous growth model
No full textThis study has investigated the disaggregated impact of capital formation on economic growth in Nigeria over the periods of 1990 to 2021 sourcing its data from the 2022 Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin and 2023 World Development Indicators. Specifically, it examined how, and to what extent, gross capital formation, government recurrent expenditures on education and health, foreign direct investment, gross domestic savings, and domestic credit to private sectors have impacted economic growth in Nigeria. It used the Phillip-Perron, Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin, and the augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root test to ascertain the order of integration among the series. Consequently, through the Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag bound testing technique, the study found that in the long run, the disaggregated physical and human capital formation had a significant positive influence on economic growth. In the short-run, however, government recurrent expenditures on education, foreign direct investment, and domestic credit to private sectors had a significant impact on economic growth while other variables did not significantly cause economic growth. Thus, in conclusion, the study suggests policy recommendations to boost human capital through education, health, and credit access, while addressing high interest rates
Macroeconomic Determinants of Poverty in Nigeria: Econometric Assessment of Selected Variables
No full textNigeria is a nation of contradictions; it is a rich nation with poor people and there is widespread poverty amidst plenty. This study examined the relationship of selected macroeconomic variables (inequality, unemployment, inflation and fertility rate) with poverty in Nigeria for the period 1991 to 2022. It made use of Autoregressive Distributed Lag regression method and Granger causality test. The result shows that fertility as well as lagged values of inflation and unemployment are significantly related to poverty but inequality does not. In addition, out of these variables, it is only unemployment that Granger causes poverty and the relationship is weak. Consequently, it was concluded that fertility has significant impact on poverty in Nigeria; unemployment and inflation have delayed but significant impact on poverty, and poverty has significant impact on both fertility and unemployment. Inequality has no significant relationship with poverty. In line with the findings, it was recommended that poverty reduction strategies that emphasizes fertility education, labour intensive investment strategies and entrepreneurship development should be prioritized by relevant development actors such as the government and Civil Society Organisations
Determination of itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole in plasma by use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with on-line solid-phase extraction
No full textIn this paper a method for the simultaneous quantification of the anti-fungal drug itraconazole and its co-active metabolite hydroxyitraconazole in plasma employing liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry and automated solid-phase extraction is described. The method proved rugged, enables short turn-around times and is highly specific. Since there is growing evidence for the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring of itraconazole in the prophylaxis and treatment of invasive fungal infections, the method described here is of interest for a large number of tertiary care hospital laboratories
Author Correction: A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
No full textCorrection to: Nature Human Behaviour https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01173-x, published online 2 August 2021.In the version of this article initially published, the following authors were omitted from the author list and the Author contributionssection for “investigation” and “writing and editing”: Nandor Hajdu (Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest,Hungary), Jordane Boudesseul (Facultad de Psicología, Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad de Lima, Lima, Perú), RafałMuda (Faculty of Economics, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Lublin, Poland) and Sandersan Onie (Black Dog Institute, UNSWSydney, Sydney, Australia & Emotional Health for All Foundation, Jakarta, Indonesia). In addition, Saeideh FatahModares’ name wasoriginally misspelled as Saiedeh FatahModarres in the author list. Further, affiliations have been corrected for Maria Terskova (NationalResearch University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia), Susana Ruiz Fernandez (FOM University of Applied Sciences,Essen; Leibniz-Institut fur Wissensmedien, Tubingen, and LEAD Research Network, Eberhard Karls University, Tubingen, Germany),Hendrik Godbersen (FOM University of Applied Sciences, Essen, Germany), Gulnaz Anjum (Department of Psychology, Simon FraserUniversity, Burnaby, Canada, and Department of Economics & Social Sciences, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, Pakistan).<br/
A novel methodology for e-learning space design in HEI campuses
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.The Higher Education Institution and the Construction Industry are yet to define the most appropriate and effective design parameters for E-learning spaces. Those which exist, focus mainly on cost, budget and timely delivery i.e. the process only not the product. An effective approach to E-learning space design is needed to address the problems of space efficiency, effectiveness, quality, innovativeness, performance and client satisfaction. This study aimed to develop a novel methodology for e-learning space design, by investigating: the impact of e-learning on facilities and design; the impact of e-learning on the design of future spaces; the impact of blended learning on space design; designing for the learn anytime, anywhere paradigm; security issues of e-learning and e-learning space design, the levels of design risk in an e-learning infrastructure and inclusive design issues. A Grounded theory approach was used during initial desk studies, synchronized with a three part forum and pilot survey of 33participants. From this process, two hypotheses emerged; firstly, e-learning space design could affect users‘ learning outcomes and secondly that; user‘s learning requirements were different and varied. To investigate further, site based analyses of 11 HEI‘s, 10 interviews and subsequently a questionnaire survey was administered. Users‘ and stakeholders requirements and good examples of e-learning space design were identified. Data were analysed using a mixed-method research design approach. Three main constructs, Space design, Technology and the E-learning Space Design research focus (ELSD focus), emerged as significant components in the development of a novel framework for the design of e-learning spaces. The relationship between the components is such that the design of spaces with consideration of the ELSD research focus would ensure the effective identification, interpretation and delivery of users‘ requirement while maximising the benefits of the adoption of appropriate technology within HEI facilities. This was therefore proposed as the realistic framework/model for future design of E- learning Spaces in HEI campuses. The framework was adapted into a conceptual design guide to provide guidance for future space design. It is expected the study will support the HEI sector globally as it moves towards achieving best practice solutions to future E-learning space design in HEI campuses
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (EJST): MODELLING NIGERIA EXCHANGE RATE WITH OTHER CURRENCY USING AUTOREGRESSIVE MOVING AVERAGE (ARMA)
No full textEKSU JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (EJST)
EDITORIAL POLICY
EKSU Journal of Science and Technology (EJST) is a biannual Journal published by Ekiti State University, Office of Research, Development and Innovation. The Journal aims at periodically exhibiting and advertising the potential of research results within and outside the university as well as promoting dissemination of intellectual publications generally. The Journal, which is multidisciplinary and multicultural in nature covers the publication of original findings in Science and Engineering. It serves as a platform for academics, researchers, professionals, practitioners and students in the Science and Technology field to impart and share knowledge in the form of high quality practical, empirical and theoretical research papers, case studies, literature review and book reviews etc. from all over the world.
CALL FOR PAPERS
ABOUT EJST
Ekiti State University has been publishing journals at the Faculty and Departmental levels, But there is no university based journal. As part of the mandate of Ekiti State University, Office of Research, Development and Innovation (EKSUORD) to periodically exhibit and advertise the potentials of research results within the University as well as promoting the dissemination of intellectual publications generally, EKSUORDI announces the publication of a Science and Engineering based University journal EKSU Journal of Science and Technology (EJST). The Journal which is an international academic journal provides a platform natural, agricultural, environmental, medical scientists and engineers as well as technologists to share and expand the knowledge of scientific advancements in the myriad disciplines of science and engineering and applied aspects.
AIMS AND FOCUS
EKSU Journal of Science and Technology aims to publish and disseminate original papers that:
address ethical or socioeconomic issues relating to modern agricultural and environmental science as applicable to developing countries;
contribute to the development of science and technology for economic advancement;
innovate near market or market ready technologies and processes
publish research findings on current topical issues in science and engineering of interest to both public and private
SCOPE
EJST will publish peer reviewed original research and critical reviews on agriculture, human nutrition or human health, scientific or technological information, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary studies that explore the intersection of agriculture, science, engineering and environment.
DOMICILIATION
The Journal is domiciled in the Office of Research, Development and Innovation, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
iii
SECTION
In order to encourage researchers to publish their research articles in the field of Science and Technology, the following sections are introduced:
Section A- (Agricultural Science) Section B - (Natural Sciences)
Section C - (Engineering and Technology) Section D - (Medical Sciences)
Section E-(Environmental Sciences)
FREQUENCY
The frequency of the journal is bienial.
REVIEW PROCESS
There shall be a review process of manuscripts by independent referees who are conversant and versatile in the pertinent subject area.
Authors should strive for maximum clarity of expression. Material which is not essential to the continuity of the text (e.g., proofs, derivations, or calculations) should be placed in Appendices Materials which have been previously copyrighted, published, or accepted for publication will not be considered for publication in the journal.
The editorial board is highly committed to the quick review process of the paper, but not with the sacrifice of the right judgment of a paper. The review process takes maximum of six weeks.
PROCEDURE FOR MANUSCRIPTACCEPTANCE FOR PUBLICATION
The manuscript would be sent to three (3) reviewers, of which two (2) of the reviewers\u27 comment must be positive before acceptance, and the authors would have to effect all the corrections pointed out by the reviewers in the reviewers form.
PAGE CHARGE PROOFAND REPRINTS
Manuscript should be submitted as e-mail attachment to the corresponding author who will be contacted via e-mail on the corrections of the manuscript. This volume of EJST is sponsored by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). With the exception of minor typographical errors, no changes will be made on the manuscript at the proof stage. A hard copy of the appropriate section and five (5) off prints would be provided for the corresponding author of each paper.
ACCESSIBILITYAND SUBSCRIPTION
EJST will be available both in print (hardcopy) and online (softcopy) format at
www.academix.ng Online accessibility is by subscription. Information on purchase of any
section, biennial, quarterly or annual subscription can be obtained by contacting EKSUORD.
ARTICLE TYPES
Regular Articles, short communication, and review will be acceptable for publication in thejournal.
INFORMATION /GUIDES FOR AUTHOR
The title page should bear the author\u27s full names and affiliation of the names of corresponding author along with fax and e-mail information. Present addresses of authors should appear as a footnote.
Abstract should be informative and self-explanatory. Should be 100-200 words in length Abstract should be written in past tense-standard nomenclature should be
iv
Abbreviation should be avoided and no literature should be cited. List of nonstandard abbreviation should be added.
Manuscript should not exceed 15-20
Introduction should provide a clear statement of the problem, the relevant literature on the subject, and the proposed approach or
Materials and methods should be complete enough to allow experiments to bereproduced and results written in past tense should be presented with clarity and
Results should be explained, but largely without referring to the
Discussion should interprete findings in view of results obtained in present and past studies on the
Conclusion should be stated in few sentences at the end of the
Acknowledgment of people, grant, funds should be
Manuscript should be typed in double-line spacing with microsoft word on A4 size paper using 12 font size (Time New Roman)
Table should be kept to a minimum, and are to be typed double line-spaced through outincluding headings and The same data should not be presented in both table andgraph form or repeated in the text.
l Figure legend should be typed in numerical order on a separate sheet.
Graphics should be prepared using applications capable of generating high resolution Gif., TIFF, JPEG or Microsoft PowerPoint before pasting in Microsoft world manuscript
In the text, a reference identified by means of an author\u27s name should be followed by the date of the reference in parentheses. When there are more than two authors\u27 names mentioned, it should be the first author followed by et al. In the event that an author cited has two or more works published during the same year, the reference, both in text and in the reference list, should be identified by a lower case letter like, a\u27 and, b\u27after the date to distinguish the works. Example: Abayomi (2000), Agindotan et al. (2003), (Kelebeni, 1983), (Usman and Smith, 1992), (Chege, 1998;
Chukwura, 1987 a, b; Tijani 1993, 1995), (Kumasi et al., 2001).
References should be listed at the end of the paper in alphabetical order. Articles In preparation or articles submitted for publication, unpublished observations, Personal communications date, etc, should not be included in the reference but should only be mentioned in the article text (eg. A. Kingory, University of Nairobi, Kenya, personal communication, date) Journal names are abbreviated according to chemical abstracts.
Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy of references. Example: Chikere C. B, Omoni V.T, and Chikere B. 0. (2008). Distribution of potential nosocomial pathogens ina hospital environmental. Afr. J. Biotechnol. 7:3535-3539.
Moran G. J, Amii R. N, Abrahamian F. M, Talan D. A. (2005), Methicilin resistantstaphylococcus aureus in community- acquired skin infections. Emeg. Infect. Dis. 11: 928-930.
Pelczar J. R. Harley J. P, Klein D. A. (1993) Microbiology: Concept and applications, McGraw-Hill Inc., New York, pp 591-603.
Short Communication: Short communication are limited to a maximum of two figures and one They should present a complete study that is more limited in scope than is found
v
in fullength papers. The items of manuscript preparation listed above apply to short communications with the following differences:
Abstracts are limited to 100 words:
Instead of a separate materials and methods section, experimental procedures may be incorporated into fiqure legends and table footnotes;
Results and discussion should be combined into one
Copyrights
Submission of manuscript implies that the work described has not been published before, and that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. If and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors will agree to automatically transfer the copyrights to the publisher
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (EJST): MODELLING NIGERIA EXCHANGE RATE WITH OTHER CURRENCY USING AUTOREGRESSIVE MOVING AVERAGE (ARMA)
No full textEKSU JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (EJST)
EDITORIAL POLICY
EKSU Journal of Science and Technology (EJST) is a biannual Journal published by Ekiti State University, Office of Research, Development and Innovation. The Journal aims at periodically exhibiting and advertising the potential of research results within and outside the university as well as promoting dissemination of intellectual publications generally. The Journal, which is multidisciplinary and multicultural in nature covers the publication of original findings in Science and Engineering. It serves as a platform for academics, researchers, professionals, practitioners and students in the Science and Technology field to impart and share knowledge in the form of high quality practical, empirical and theoretical research papers, case studies, literature review and book reviews etc. from all over the world.
CALL FOR PAPERS
ABOUT EJST
Ekiti State University has been publishing journals at the Faculty and Departmental levels, But there is no university based journal. As part of the mandate of Ekiti State University, Office of Research, Development and Innovation (EKSUORD) to periodically exhibit and advertise the potentials of research results within the University as well as promoting the dissemination of intellectual publications generally, EKSUORDI announces the publication of a Science and Engineering based University journal EKSU Journal of Science and Technology (EJST). The Journal which is an international academic journal provides a platform natural, agricultural, environmental, medical scientists and engineers as well as technologists to share and expand the knowledge of scientific advancements in the myriad disciplines of science and engineering and applied aspects.
AIMS AND FOCUS
EKSU Journal of Science and Technology aims to publish and disseminate original papers that:
address ethical or socioeconomic issues relating to modern agricultural and environmental science as applicable to developing countries;
contribute to the development of science and technology for economic advancement;
innovate near market or market ready technologies and processes
publish research findings on current topical issues in science and engineering of interest to both public and private
SCOPE
EJST will publish peer reviewed original research and critical reviews on agriculture, human nutrition or human health, scientific or technological information, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary studies that explore the intersection of agriculture, science, engineering and environment.
DOMICILIATION
The Journal is domiciled in the Office of Research, Development and Innovation, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
iii
SECTION
In order to encourage researchers to publish their research articles in the field of Science and Technology, the following sections are introduced:
Section A- (Agricultural Science) Section B - (Natural Sciences)
Section C - (Engineering and Technology) Section D - (Medical Sciences)
Section E-(Environmental Sciences)
FREQUENCY
The frequency of the journal is bienial.
REVIEW PROCESS
There shall be a review process of manuscripts by independent referees who are conversant and versatile in the pertinent subject area.
Authors should strive for maximum clarity of expression. Material which is not essential to the continuity of the text (e.g., proofs, derivations, or calculations) should be placed in Appendices Materials which have been previously copyrighted, published, or accepted for publication will not be considered for publication in the journal.
The editorial board is highly committed to the quick review process of the paper, but not with the sacrifice of the right judgment of a paper. The review process takes maximum of six weeks.
PROCEDURE FOR MANUSCRIPTACCEPTANCE FOR PUBLICATION
The manuscript would be sent to three (3) reviewers, of which two (2) of the reviewers\u27 comment must be positive before acceptance, and the authors would have to effect all the corrections pointed out by the reviewers in the reviewers form.
PAGE CHARGE PROOFAND REPRINTS
Manuscript should be submitted as e-mail attachment to the corresponding author who will be contacted via e-mail on the corrections of the manuscript. This volume of EJST is sponsored by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). With the exception of minor typographical errors, no changes will be made on the manuscript at the proof stage. A hard copy of the appropriate section and five (5) off prints would be provided for the corresponding author of each paper.
ACCESSIBILITYAND SUBSCRIPTION
EJST will be available both in print (hardcopy) and online (softcopy) format at
www.academix.ng Online accessibility is by subscription. Information on purchase of any
section, biennial, quarterly or annual subscription can be obtained by contacting EKSUORD.
ARTICLE TYPES
Regular Articles, short communication, and review will be acceptable for publication in thejournal.
INFORMATION /GUIDES FOR AUTHOR
The title page should bear the author\u27s full names and affiliation of the names of corresponding author along with fax and e-mail information. Present addresses of authors should appear as a footnote.
Abstract should be informative and self-explanatory. Should be 100-200 words in length Abstract should be written in past tense-standard nomenclature should be
iv
Abbreviation should be avoided and no literature should be cited. List of nonstandard abbreviation should be added.
Manuscript should not exceed 15-20
Introduction should provide a clear statement of the problem, the relevant literature on the subject, and the proposed approach or
Materials and methods should be complete enough to allow experiments to bereproduced and results written in past tense should be presented with clarity and
Results should be explained, but largely without referring to the
Discussion should interprete findings in view of results obtained in present and past studies on the
Conclusion should be stated in few sentences at the end of the
Acknowledgment of people, grant, funds should be
Manuscript should be typed in double-line spacing with microsoft word on A4 size paper using 12 font size (Time New Roman)
Table should be kept to a minimum, and are to be typed double line-spaced through outincluding headings and The same data should not be presented in both table andgraph form or repeated in the text.
l Figure legend should be typed in numerical order on a separate sheet.
Graphics should be prepared using applications capable of generating high resolution Gif., TIFF, JPEG or Microsoft PowerPoint before pasting in Microsoft world manuscript
In the text, a reference identified by means of an author\u27s name should be followed by the date of the reference in parentheses. When there are more than two authors\u27 names mentioned, it should be the first author followed by et al. In the event that an author cited has two or more works published during the same year, the reference, both in text and in the reference list, should be identified by a lower case letter like, a\u27 and, b\u27after the date to distinguish the works. Example: Abayomi (2000), Agindotan et al. (2003), (Kelebeni, 1983), (Usman and Smith, 1992), (Chege, 1998;
Chukwura, 1987 a, b; Tijani 1993, 1995), (Kumasi et al., 2001).
References should be listed at the end of the paper in alphabetical order. Articles In preparation or articles submitted for publication, unpublished observations, Personal communications date, etc, should not be included in the reference but should only be mentioned in the article text (eg. A. Kingory, University of Nairobi, Kenya, personal communication, date) Journal names are abbreviated according to chemical abstracts.
Authors are fully responsible for the accuracy of references. Example: Chikere C. B, Omoni V.T, and Chikere B. 0. (2008). Distribution of potential nosocomial pathogens ina hospital environmental. Afr. J. Biotechnol. 7:3535-3539.
Moran G. J, Amii R. N, Abrahamian F. M, Talan D. A. (2005), Methicilin resistantstaphylococcus aureus in community- acquired skin infections. Emeg. Infect. Dis. 11: 928-930.
Pelczar J. R. Harley J. P, Klein D. A. (1993) Microbiology: Concept and applications, McGraw-Hill Inc., New York, pp 591-603.
Short Communication: Short communication are limited to a maximum of two figures and one They should present a complete study that is more limited in scope than is found
v
in fullength papers. The items of manuscript preparation listed above apply to short communications with the following differences:
Abstracts are limited to 100 words:
Instead of a separate materials and methods section, experimental procedures may be incorporated into fiqure legends and table footnotes;
Results and discussion should be combined into one
Copyrights
Submission of manuscript implies that the work described has not been published before, and that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. If and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors will agree to automatically transfer the copyrights to the publisher
CERT1 mutations perturb human development by disrupting sphingolipid homeostasis
No full textNeural differentiation, synaptic transmission, and action potential propagation depend on membrane sphingolipids, whose metabolism is tightly regulated. Mutations in the ceramide transporter CERT (CERT1), which is involved in sphingolipid biosynthesis, are associated with intellectual disability, but the pathogenic mechanism remains obscure. Here, we characterize 31 individuals with de novo missense variants in CERT1. Several variants fall into a previously uncharacterized dimeric helical domain that enables CERT homeostatic inactivation, without which sphingolipid production goes unchecked. The clinical severity reflects the degree to which CERT autoregulation is disrupted, and inhibiting CERT pharmacologically corrects morphological and motor abnormalities in a Drosophila model of the disease, which we call ceramide transporter (CerTra) syndrome. These findings uncover a central role for CERT autoregulation in the control of sphingolipid biosynthetic flux, provide unexpected insight into the structural organization of CERT, and suggest a possible therapeutic approach for patients with CerTra syndrome.This work was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), NIH (R01NS109858, to VAG); the Paul A. Marks Scholar Program at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (to VAG); a TIGER grant from the TAUB Institute at the Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Scientists (to VAG); the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF 31003A-179371, to TH); the European Joint Program on Rare Diseases (EJP RD+SNF 32ER30-187505, to TH); the Swiss Cancer League (KFS-4999-02-2020, to GD); the EPFL institutional fund (to GD); the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation (to GD); the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) (310030_184926, to GD); the Swiss Foundation for Research on Muscle Disease (FSRMM, to MAL); the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Discovery Grant 2020-04241, to JEB); the Italian Ministry of Health Young Investigator Grant (GR-2011-02347754, to EL); the Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica – Città della Speranza (18-04, to EL); the Wroclaw Medical University (SUB.E160.21.004, to RS); the National Science Centre, Poland (2017/27/B/NZ5/0222, to RS); Telethon Undiagnosed Diseases Program (TUDP) (GSP15001); the Temple Street Foundation/Children’s Health Foundation Ireland (RPAC 19-02, to IK); the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (PO2366/2–1, to BP); the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain (to ELM, EBS, and BMD); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81871079 and 81730036, to HG and KX); and the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), NIH (R01 DK115574, to SSC).The DEFIDIAG study is funded by grants from the French Ministry of Health in the framewok of the national French initiative for genomic medicine. The funders were not involved in the study design, data acquisition, analysis, or writing of the manuscript. Funding for the DECIPHER project was provided by Wellcome. The DDD study presents independent research commissioned by the Health Innovation Challenge Fund (grant number HICF-1009-003), a parallel funding partnership between Wellcome and the Department of Health, and the Wellcome Sanger Institute (grant number WT098051). The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Wellcome or the Department of Health. The study has UK Research Ethics Committee approval (10/H0305/83, granted by the Cambridge South REC, and GEN/284/12, granted by the Republic of Ireland REC). The research team acknowledges the support of the National Institute for Health Research, through the Comprehensive Clinical Research Network.S
Demilitarisation Nigeria and South Africa compared
No full textIn sub-Saharan African countries that have made democratic transition from military
rule and military-backed authoritarian regimes, state elites have embarked upon
strategies aimed at demilitarising the new democratic political process. Demilitarisation
of the state and politics has become an imperative because it is decisive for
consolidating democratic politics and for ensuring improvements in public safety and
security. Yet the process of such demilitarisation in these countries has often generated
a paradox, whereby the reduction of the political influence of state institutions of
violence has been associatedw ith rising civil militarism and the prevalenceo f organised
violence in the wider society.
In these circumstances, taking cognisance of the dangers of civil militarism and other
forms of private violence is a priority for designing and implementing demilitarisation
strategies and other security reforms in post-authoritarian African states. Reformminded
political elites and external supporters need to be sensitive to these dangers or
risk perpetuating the shell of electoral democracy that cannot deliver the goal of human
security in the region. This dissertation explored how the current approach to
demilitarisation is related to the problem of civil militarism by examining the case
studies of Nigeria and South Africa. It explains that given the condition of the state in
Africa, demilitarisation of politics after transition from military or military-backed
authoritarianism contributes to the emergence of civil militarism. Based on this finding,
it argues for a comprehensive approach to demilitarisation as a strategy that caters to
both state and societal violence in order to mitigate the risks of civil militarism in the
process
Determinants of recovery from post-COVID-19 dyspnoea: analysis of UK prospective cohorts of hospitalised COVID-19 patients and community-based controls: analysis of UK prospective cohorts of hospitalised COVID-19 patients and community-based controls
No full textBackground: The risk factors for recovery from COVID-19 dyspnoea are poorly understood. We investigated determinants of recovery from dyspnoea in adults with COVID-19 and compared these to determinants of recovery from non-COVID-19 dyspnoea. Methods: We used data from two prospective cohort studies: PHOSP-COVID (patients hospitalised between March 2020 and April 2021 with COVID-19) and COVIDENCE UK (community cohort studied over the same time period). PHOSP-COVID data were collected during hospitalisation and at 5-month and 1-year follow-up visits. COVIDENCE UK data were obtained through baseline and monthly online questionnaires. Dyspnoea was measured in both cohorts with the Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify determinants associated with a reduction in dyspnoea between 5-month and 1-year follow-up. Findings: We included 990 PHOSP-COVID and 3309 COVIDENCE UK participants. We observed higher odds of improvement between 5-month and 1-year follow-up among PHOSP-COVID participants who were younger (odds ratio 1.02 per year, 95% CI 1.01–1.03), male (1.54, 1.16–2.04), neither obese nor severely obese (1.82, 1.06–3.13 and 4.19, 2.14–8.19, respectively), had no pre-existing anxiety or depression (1.56, 1.09–2.22) or cardiovascular disease (1.33, 1.00–1.79), and shorter hospital admission (1.01 per day, 1.00–1.02). Similar associations were found in those recovering from non-COVID-19 dyspnoea, excluding age (and length of hospital admission). Interpretation: Factors associated with dyspnoea recovery at 1-year post-discharge among patients hospitalised with COVID-19 were similar to those among community controls without COVID-19. Funding: PHOSP-COVID is supported by a grant from the MRC-UK Research and Innovation and the Department of Health and Social Care through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) rapid response panel to tackle COVID-19. The views expressed in the publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the National Health Service (NHS), the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. COVIDENCE UK is supported by the UK Research and Innovation, the National Institute for Health Research, and Barts Charity. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the funders
