24 research outputs found
West Africa : security crisis and the possibility of a security framework / Muhammad Lawal Isa
No full textBOARD DIVERSITY AND INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL DISCLOSURE IN LISTED FIRMS IN NIGERIA: THE MODERATING ROLE OF OWNERSHIP CONCENTRATION
No full textThis study examines the moderating role of ownership concentration on the relationship between board diversity and intellectual capital of forty-four listed non-financial services firms in Nigeria during the period of ten years from 2011-2020. The descriptive statistics tool was used to obtain summary statistics for the variables in the study. Similarly, random effects regressions with generalised least square (GLS) were employed to assess the study\u27s hypotheses. The finding of the study revealed that board education had a significant impact on ICD.. In addition, board nationality was discovered to have a significant negative impact on ICD. The study indicated, however, that board ownership has no effect on ICD. The findings from the moderated model revealed that board education and board ownership have significant negative impact on ICD. The finding also revealed that ownership concentration increased the negative impact of board education and board ownership on intellectual capital disclosure. The study recommends that board education background should be given top priority in order to ensure quality decision concerning IC. Likewise, in order to ensure quality decision making, foreign members on the board should attend meeting regularly. Also, there should be regulation as to the percentage of shares held by directors. Finally, management should consider the multiple role of the concentrated ownership and board diversity when constituting the board. This will enable the management to carefully select, nominate, and appoint members of the board with great diversity
A scoping review protocol for exploration of stroke risk factors among women in Africa
No full textBackground: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally, with an increasing burden in low- and middle-income countries, including those in Africa. While stroke affects both men and women, emerging evidence suggests that women may face unique risk factors and challenges that contribute to their susceptibility to stroke. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the specific risk factors for stroke among women in Africa. Purpose: This scoping review protocol aims to systematically explore and map the existing literature on stroke risk factors among women in Africa. Method: The review will follow the methodological framework outlined by Arksey and O'Malley, enhanced by the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping reviews. A systematic search will be conducted across multiple electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EBSCO, Medline and Google Scholar, using a predefined search strategy. The search strategy will include a combination of keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to stroke, risk factors, women, and Africa. Result: Data extraction will involve the systematic recording of relevant information from included studies, including study characteristics, participant demographics, stroke risk factors examined, and key findings. Thematic analysis will be conducted to identify common themes and patterns across the literature, with a particular focus on risk factors specific to women in Africa. Conclusion: This scoping review will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding stroke risk factors among women in Africa. Findings from this review will inform future research directions, clinical practice, and public health interventions aimed at reducing the burden of stroke among women in the African context.</p
Effectiveness of an Integrated Education for Self-Management in Stroke Rehabilitation in North-east Nigeria: A Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textObjective: To investigate the effectiveness of a modeled community-based education (CBE) for self-management towards reducing disability and improving lower extremity functions among stroke survivors.
Study type & settings: This single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted among stroke survivors attending outpatient Physiotherapy unit of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.
Methodology: Single-blind randomized controlled trial design was employed by grouping the participants into experimental and control groups. Participants were considered eligible if their stroke was due to cerebrovascular accident, able to walk 10 meters unsupported, at least 30 days’ post-stroke and possessed cognition score of >24 on Mini-Mental State Examination. Sixty participants were assigned to either the intervention (n=31) or control group (n=29) and received intervention for 6 weeks after the baseline assessments. Modified Rankin Scale, Six-Minute Walk Test and Ten-Meter Walk Test were used to measure the degree of disability, walking distance and gait speed respectively.
Results: Groups did not differ significantly in terms of stroke related disability, walking distance and gait speed at baseline. Post-intervention assessments showed time effect on participants’ walking distance across two test periods, indicating significant time effect (F =13.963, p =0.001) with an effect size of η2 =0.245. Disability was assessed using the modified ranking scale. The time effect of the participants’ performance on the scale across the two test periods indicated significant time effect; (F =8.563, p =0.005) with effect size of η2 =0.166. However, non-significant time effect was reported on gait speed of the ..........
Modelling of electroluminescence in polymeric material using dimensional analysis method: effect of applied voltage and frequency.
No full textElectroluminescence (EL) method has been used by several researchers to observe the behaviour of an aged polymeric material. EL is a phenomenon that occurs when the atoms of a material are being excited due to the application of and external high electrical stresses. The changes in the energy level of these excitation states can be used as an indicator for the initiation of electrical ageing. There are several factors that affect the behaviour of EL emission such as, among others, applied voltage, applied frequency, ageing of material and types of materials and gases used are discussed in this paper. A mathematical approach relating these factors and the intensity of EL is proposed through the aid of Dimensional Analysis method. A close relationship is obtained between experimental and simulation that suggests this mathematical approach can be utilized as a tool to predict electrical ageing of insulation material
Embedding components of entrepreneurship and creativity skills into construction technology education curriculum in Nigeria
No full textConstruction Technology Education (CTE) students in tertiary institutions of Nigeria have been criticised of their inability to demonstrate entrepreneurship and creativity skills after graduation. As such wood and building construction industries in Nigeria could not employ CTE graduates. Therefore, this study aims to determine entrepreneurship and creativity skills components appropriate for embedding into the curriculum of CTE program in Nigerian tertiary institutions. A qualitative research method involving intrinsic case study design was employed for the study. The population for the study comprised 16 CTE experts purposively selected from the tertiary institutions in the north western states of Nigeria. The study utilised a semi structured interview protocol as the instrument for qualitative data collection. 3 CTE experts from Nigerian tertiary institutions validated the protocol. Data from the interview responses were manually transcribed coded and interpreted. Findings from the responses of the participants revealed marketing skills, ICT skills, management skills as part of the entrepreneurship skills components appropriate to embedded into the curriculum of CTE program. The finding further revealed that critical thinking skills, innovative skills, and self-evaluation skills formed part of the creativity skills components appropriate for embedding into the curriculum of CTE program. The study concludes by recommending to the agencies responsible with running tertiary institutions in Nigeria to do the needful in restructuring the CTE curriculum at the undergraduate level to incorporate entrepreneurship and creativity skills components for employment sustainability of CTE students after graduation. Embedding Components of Entrepreneurship and Creativity Skills into Construction Technology Education Curriculum in Nigeri
Implementation Curriculum Islamic Studies in Shaping Spiritual Attitudes Scopus Data Analysis in Bibliometrics
No full texthe purpose of this study is to map the development and direction of Islamic Studies Curriculum research published in Scopus-indexed journals between 1980 and 2023. A bibliometric research design was applied, utilizing data extracted from the Scopus database. The analysis was conducted using Excel and R/R-Studio, while VOSviewer was employed to visualize keyword co-occurrence networks and citation relationships. The findings reveal a total of 595 relevant publications that met the established criteria. The annual growth rate of research output was 9.26%, with 2022 identified as the peak year for publications. Indonesia was the country contributing the largest number of studies, with strong affiliations from institutions such as Riphah International University. In terms of authorship, Arvisais, O. emerged as the most prolific author within this research domain. Furthermore, the bibliometric mapping highlighted dominant thematic clusters including curriculum design, Islamic education, learning outcomes, and religious values. The implications of this study suggest that research on the Islamic Studies Curriculum is gaining increasing attention globally, particularly in Southeast Asia, and that there are significant opportunities for collaboration and innovation in this field. Future studies are recommended to expand the scope of analysis by including additional national and international databases beyond Scopus to capture a more comprehensive understanding of the research landscape
Biochemical and histological changes in the heart of post-partum rats exposed to Natron
No full textBackground: The customary puerperal practice of Natron consumption has been identified as one of the predisposing factors in the etiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). This study was designed to investigate the effect of Natron in postpartum Wistar albino rats. Methods: A total of 30 postpartum Wistar rats were exposed to different doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) of Natron for 28 days. After the treatment, we carried out biochemical analyses and histological evaluations of kidney, liver and heart. Results: The study revealed that the exposure of postpartum rats to 100 mg/kg of Natron and above significantly (p < 0.05) increase the cardiac markers; myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB, troponin I and T as compared with control. The result of liver function indicated no significant difference in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, albumin and total protein of the Natron treated groups as compared with control. However, at higher doses, the levels of total protein, globulin and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased in comparison to the control. There was no significant difference in the kidney function markers of the treatment groups as compared with control. Histological examinations revealed no changes in the kidney of the treated groups. Mild portal triaditis was observed in the liver of the treated rats. The heart of the rats administered ≥100 mg/kg of Natron showed myocyte hypertrophy. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the administration of Natron for 28 days caused changes in the heart of postpartum rats and thus may contribute to the pathogenesis of PPCM. Keywords: Peripartum cardiomyopathy, Natron, Myocyte hypertrophy, Postpartum, Wistar ra
