An Assessment of United Kingdom's Trade With Developing Countries Under the Generalized System of Preferences
In: Journal of Public Affairs, 2020
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In: Journal of Public Affairs, 2020
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Working paper
In: African identities, Band 14, Heft 1, S. 38-58
ISSN: 1472-5851
In: Languages and linguistics
In: Matatu, Band 49, Heft 1, S. 201-224
ISSN: 1875-7421
Nigerian military army barracks are a rich domain in which soldiers and officers display different strands of their identity. A typical army barracks in Nigeria often accommodates many ethnic groups owing to the federal policy governing the recruitment of both soldiers and officers. Thus, it is common in the barracks for military men to be aware of their ethnic, linguistic, religious, and regional affiliations and to relate to one another based on these various affiliations. It is against this backdrop that the present study seeks to investigate how soldiers and officers make use of linguistic resources available to them to convey religious, occupational, ethnic, and linguistic identity in the barracks. Data for the study were collected from 46 military men, soldiers and officers, in four military barracks. The locationss are Akure, Enugu, Saki, and Zaria Barracks. The instruments used in gathering the data were questionnaire, face-to-face interviews, and participant observation. The study revealed that both soldiers and officers represent their occupational identity through the specific use of certain lexical items and slang, while their ethnic identity is signified through the use of ethnic and other local languages. Their personal names were also observed to be symptomatic of their religious identity.
The European Union (EU) Generalised System of Preferences (GSP Scheme) grants preferential treatment to 88 eligible countries. There are, however, concerns that the restrictive features (such as Rules of Origin, Low Preference Margin and Low Coverage) of the existing scheme indicate gravitation towards commercial trade agenda to which efficiency imperatives appear subordinated. Whether these concerns are genuine is an empirical question whose answer largely determines whether, after Brexit, the UK continues with the existing specifics of the EU scheme or develops a more inclusive UK-specific GSP framework. This study quantitatively examines the efficiency of the EU GSP as it relates to UK beneficiaries from 2014 to 2017. We draw on the descriptive efficiency estimation (The utilisation Rate, Potential Coverage Rate, and the Utility Rate) using import data across 88 beneficiary countries and agricultural products of the Harmonised System Code Chapter 1 to 24. Asides the Rules of Origin that, generally, harm the uptake of GSP, low preference margin is found to cause low utilisation rates in a non-linear manner. Essentially, a more robust option (such that allows "global Cumulation" or broader product coverage) could, substantially, lower the existing barriers to trade and upsurge the efficiency of the GSP scheme.
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The status which Nigerian Pidgin (NP hereafter) has come to have in Nigerian stand-up comedy is different from the position it has in other spheres of interactional communication where it is restricted to non-prestigious genres. This paper examines how stand-up comedy has changed the linguistic order in Nigeria by giving prominence and prestige to NP and elevating it to serve a good purpose. Data for the study were drawn from recorded performances of seven popular stand‑up comedians in Nigeria. The analysis shows that NP is dominant in Nigerian stand-up comedy. It also demonstrates that apart from their use of vulgar words, stand-up comedians in Nigeria mirror the society by discussing various types of immorality in their performances. Finally, the paper submits that Nigerian stand-up comedians are social critics and commentators who through humour and satire often tacitly criticize nefarious policies of the government and condemn immoral acts of politicians and their agents with the aim of changing the society for the better.
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In: African identities, Band 17, Heft 3-4, S. 191-210
ISSN: 1472-5851
In: Journal of public affairs, Band 22, Heft 1
ISSN: 1479-1854
The European Union (EU) generalised system of preferences (GSP Scheme) grants preferential treatment to 88 eligible countries. There are, however, concerns that the restrictive features (such as rules of origin, low preference margin and low coverage) of the existing scheme indicate gravitation towards commercial trade agenda to which efficiency imperatives appear subordinated. Whether these concerns are genuine is an empirical question whose answer largely determines whether, after Brexit, the United Kingdom continues with the existing specifics of the EU scheme or develops a more inclusive United Kingdom‐specific GSP framework. This study quantitatively examines the efficiency of the EU GSP as it relates to United Kingdom beneficiaries from 2014 to 2017. We draw on the descriptive efficiency estimation (the utilisation rate, potential coverage rate and the utility rate) using import data across 88 beneficiary countries and agricultural products of the Harmonised System Code Chapter 1 to 24. Asides the Rules of Origin that, generally, harm the uptake of GSP, low preference margin is found to cause low utilisation rates in a non‐linear manner. Essentially, a more robust option (such that allows "global Cumulation" or broader product coverage) could, substantially, lower the existing barriers to trade and upsurge the efficiency of the GSP scheme.
The focus of this study was to determine the factors associated with the use of substances for sport performance of youth in Lagos state sport. Questionnaire was the instrument used for the study. Descriptive research method was used. The estimated population for the study was 2000 sport men and women. The sample size was 200 respondents for purposive sampling techniques were used. The instrument was validated in it content and constructs value. The instrument was administered with the assistance of the coaches. Same 200 copies administered were returned. The data obtained was analysed using simple percentage and chi-square (x2) for stated hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The finding reveal that sport injuries exercise induced and anaphylaxis and asthma and feeling of loss of efficacy associated with alcohol used on sport performance among the users of substances. Alcohol users are recommended to partake in sport like swimming, basketball and volleyball because they have space of time for resting while at play. Government should be fully in charge of the health of sport men and women.
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Zentrale Elemente skandinavischer Lebensart drängen auf den Markt der Glücksratgeber. Der trendigen, dänischen "Hygge" (vgl. L. Brits: ID-A 17/17, M. Wiking: ID-A 7/17) folgt die schwedische Lebensphilosophie des "Lagom", ein Begriff, der meist mit "im richtigen Mass, angemessen, gerade recht" übersetzt wird. Die in Stockholm lebende Journalistin beschreibt "Lagom" als den schwedischen Weg zum Glück und zeigt wie dieses Konzept in Kultur und Gefühl, bei Essen und Trinken, Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden, Schönheit und Mode, Einrichtung und Design, Freizeit und Privatleben, Job und Business, Natur und Nachhaltigkeit praktiziert wird. Mehr Life-Style-Leitfaden als Landeskunde passt das hübsch gestaltete Buch als Zusatztitel in jeden Bestand
Objectives: To evaluate community-based health workers' ability to identify cases of hypertension in pregnancy, safely deliver methyldopa and magnesium sulphate and make referrals when appropriate.Study design: This was part of Nigeria Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) cluster randomized controlled trial (NCT01911494). Community-based Health Workers (CHW) recruited pregnant women from five Local Government Areas (clusters) and used mobile health aid for clinical assessment of pre-eclampsia.Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was the number of adverse events that occurred after the administration of magnesium sulphate and/or methyldopa to pregnant women by CHWs.Findings: Of 8790 women receiving mobile health-guided care, community-based health workers in Nigeria provided 309 women with hypertension (4.2% of delivered women), and safely administered 142 doses of intramuscular magnesium sulphate. Community Heath Extension Workers (CHEWs) and nurses gave fifty-two and sixty-seven doses of intramuscular magnesium sulphate respectively, twenty-three doses were given by other health care workers (midwives, community health officers, health assistants). The high rate of administration by nurses can be explained by turf protection as well as their seniority within the health system. Also, CHEWs and nurses gave 124 doses of oral methyldopa and 126 urgent referrals were completed. There were no complications related to administration of treatment or referral.Interpretation: These findings demonstrate the ability of community-based health workers to safely administer methyldopa and intramuscular magnesium sulphate. The use of task-sharing, therefore, could drastically reduce the three delays (triage, transport and treatment) associated with high maternal mortality and morbidity in rural communities in low- and middle-income countries.
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Background: Despite increased investment in community-level maternal health interventions, process evaluations of such interventions are uncommon, and can be instrumental in understanding mediating factors leading to outcomes. In Nigeria, where an unacceptably number of maternal deaths occur (maternal mortality ratio of 814/100,000 livebirths), the Community Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) study (NCT01911494) aimed to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity with a complex intervention of five interrelated components. Building from previous frameworks, we illustrate a methodology to evaluate implementation processes of the complex CLIP intervention, assess mechanisms of impact and identify emerging unintended causal pathways. Methods: The study was conducted from 2013–2016 in five Local Government Areas in Ogun State, Nigeria. A six-step approach was developed to evaluate key constructs of context (external factors related to intervention), implementation (fidelity, dose, reach, and adaption) and mechanisms of impact (unintended outcomes and mediating pathways). The steps are: 1) describing the intervention by a logic model, 2) defining acceptable delivery, 3) formulating questions, 4) determining methodology, 5) planning resources in context, lastly, step 6) finalising the plan in consideration with relevant stakeholders. Results: Quantitative data were collected from 32,785 antenatal and postnatal visits at the primary health care level, from 66 community engagement sessions, training assessments of community health workers, and standard health facility questionnaires. Forty-three focus group discussions, 38 in-depth interviews, and 23 structured observations were conducted to capture qualitative data. A total of 103 community engagement reports and 182 suspected pre-eclampsia case reports were purposively collected. Timing of data collection was staggered to understand feedback mechanisms that may have resulted from the delivery of the intervention. Data will be analysed using R and NVivo. Diffusions of innovations and realist evaluation theories will underpin analysis of the interaction between context, mechanisms and outcomes. Conclusion: This comprehensive approach can serve as a guide for researchers and policy makers to plan the evaluation of similar complex health interventions in resource-constrained settings, and to aid in measuring 'effectiveness' of interventions and not just 'efficacy'. Trial registration This research is a part of the Community Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia Study, NCT01911494. The trial is registered in Clinicaltrials.gov, the URL is https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01911494 The trial was registered on June 28, 2013 and the first participant was enrolled for intervention on March 1, 2014. ; Medicine, Faculty of ; Other UBC ; Non UBC ; Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of ; Reviewed ; Faculty
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Background Surgery is the main modality of cure for solid cancers and was prioritised to continue during COVID-19 outbreaks. This study aimed to identify immediate areas for system strengthening by comparing the delivery of elective cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic in periods of lockdown versus light restriction. Methods This international, prospective, cohort study enrolled 20 006 adult (≥18 years) patients from 466 hospitals in 61 countries with 15 cancer types, who had a decision for curative surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic and were followed up until the point of surgery or cessation of follow-up (Aug 31, 2020). Average national Oxford COVID-19 Stringency Index scores were calculated to define the government response to COVID-19 for each patient for the period they awaited surgery, and classified into light restrictions (index 60). The primary outcome was the non-operation rate (defined as the proportion of patients who did not undergo planned surgery). Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to explore the associations between lockdowns and non-operation. Intervals from diagnosis to surgery were compared across COVID-19 government response index groups. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04384926. Findings Of eligible patients awaiting surgery, 2003 (10·0%) of 20 006 did not receive surgery after a median follow-up of 23 weeks (IQR 16–30), all of whom had a COVID-19-related reason given for non-operation. Light restrictions were associated with a 0·6% non-operation rate (26 of 4521), moderate lockdowns with a 5·5% rate (201 of 3646; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·77–0·84; p<0·0001), and full lockdowns with a 15·0% rate (1775 of 11 827; HR 0·51, 0·50–0·53; p<0·0001). In sensitivity analyses, including adjustment for SARS-CoV-2 case notification rates, moderate lockdowns (HR 0·84, 95% CI 0·80–0·88; p<0·001), and full lockdowns (0·57, 0·54–0·60; p<0·001), remained independently associated with non-operation. Surgery beyond 12 weeks from diagnosis in patients without neoadjuvant therapy increased during lockdowns (374 [9·1%] of 4521 in light restrictions, 317 [10·4%] of 3646 in moderate lockdowns, 2001 [23·8%] of 11 827 in full lockdowns), although there were no differences in resectability rates observed with longer delays. Interpretation Cancer surgery systems worldwide were fragile to lockdowns, with one in seven patients who were in regions with full lockdowns not undergoing planned surgery and experiencing longer preoperative delays. Although short-term oncological outcomes were not compromised in those selected for surgery, delays and non-operations might lead to long-term reductions in survival. During current and future periods of societal restriction, the resilience of elective surgery systems requires strengthening, which might include protected elective surgical pathways and long-term investment in surge capacity for acute care during public health emergencies to protect elective staff and services. Funding National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit, Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, Medtronic, Sarcoma UK, The Urology Foundation, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research.
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