RUN Repository

Communities in RUN Repository

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 11

Recent Submissions

Women Entrepreneurship and Poverty Alleviation among Low Income Families in Developing Societies: An Empirical Evidence from Nigeria
(International Journal of Religion, 2024) Ojedele, Mofoluwaso Iyabode
The study investigated the relationship between women entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation among low income families in developing societies, and evaluated the impact of women entrepreneurship on poverty alleviation using Nigeria as reference. A survey design was employed with a questionnaire instrument administered to 250 women who are business owners in Lagos,using a simple random sampling technique. The response data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential analytical methods. The descriptive analysis showed that women take up entrepreneurship for the purpose of supporting their spouses to fight against poverty. A multivariate Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was used for the inferential analysis and to specify the relationships among the construct variables in the study. The bootstrapping technique of the PLS-SEM was used to estimate the parameters in the model, with the aid of the Smart-3 software. The result of the factor loadings, reliability test, convergent and discriminant validity revealed that the construct variables are fit for the PLS-SEM. The path analysis revealed that wife’s income (women entrepreneurship) has significant positive relationship with provision of health care, education, clothing and housing, and hence significantly positively impact on poverty alleviation in these areas of family needs. But in contrast, women entrepreneurship does not impact significantly on food. In general, the study concludes that women entrepreneurship is a key driver of poverty reduction among low income families in Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended that government and other stakeholders should make deliberate efforts to promote women entrepreneurship by providing financial support and other facilities to women entrepreneurs.
Does the phubbing scale measure the same construct across sexes? Evidence from a Nigerian sample
(2026) Omotoso, Dayo
Introduction: Phubbing is associated with excessive use of digital technologies, and the Phubbing Scale (PS) is widely used to measure it. The PS may be influenced by cultural variations, so it is advisable to validate it before applying it in a new cultural context. Phubbing has emerged as a construct of interest in Nigeria, yet no validation studies for the PS have been conducted in this population. Methods: To address this gap, the PS, along with scales measuring technological addictions and digital life balance, was administered to 396 Nigerian university students (18 to 25 years old; 80.6% female). Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to test two 10-item models and one 8-item model. The best-fitting model was subsequently tested. Internal and external validity, and measurement invariance across sexes were assessed. Results: The 8-item correlated two-factor model (PS-8) showed the best results. For PS-8, internal and external validity, and strict measurement invariance across sexes were supported based on global fit indices. However, parameter estimates suggested potential sex-related differences in the construct. In females, factor loadings and the correlation between factors were adequate, whereas in males several items of Factor 2 showed low loadings, and the correlation between factors was negligible. Conclusion: In conclusion, the PS-8 appears suitable for measuring phubbing in this population, although potential sex-related differences should be considered. These differences may stem from psychometric limitations in the Smartphone Obsession factor items and/or from variations in how the PS construct manifests across sexes, which could affect interventions or comparative studies. Considering the limitations of the study, future research will be necessary to corroborate these findings.
Quercetin parallels ascorbic acid in neuroprotection against manganeseinduced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster
(2026) Omotoso, Dayo
Quercetin (QCT) is a dietary flavonoid with reported antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, but direct comparisons with established antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid (AA), under chemically induced neurotoxic stress are limited. We compared Quercetin and AA in adult D. melanogaster using a manganese (Mn)-sensitized model to capture Parkinson-like motor and biochemical vulnerability. Treatment groups comprised: Control; Mn (15 mM); AA (10 mM); Quercetin 0.5 mM/3.0 mM; AA + Mn; Quercetin 0.5 mM/3.0 mM + Mn. Each vial represented an independent biological replicate (mixed sex); biochemical and genomic assays were performed using n = 4 vials/ group. Outcomes included survival, locomotor performance (RING), redox endpoints (GSH/GSSG, H₂O₂, MDA, SOD, CAT), neuromodulators (AChE, dopamine), DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Omnibus tests (ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis) were followed by Tukey HSD or Dunn-style pairwise comparisons; two pre-specified pooled contrasts were tested with Welch comparisons and effect sizes reported (mean differences, 95% CI, Cohen’s d); pooled p-values were adjusted (Holm, BH). Quercetin and AA produced comparable protective effects, as both preserved climbing behaviour and partially restored the redox balance versus Mn. One Tukey-adjusted pairwise result reached significance (Control vs. quercetin low + Mn for DFI, p_adj = 0.049). A pooled contrast showed reduced H₂O₂ for Quercetin (Q_all vs. AA_all: mean diff = 0.498 µmol·g⁻¹, 95% CI 0.153–0.844; Welch t(13.27) = 3.11, p = 0.0082; d ≈ 1.38), but this and other pooled signals did not survive conservative familywise correction across all pooled tests. In conclusion, although they are overall comparable, our data suggest that quercetin may have a superior, specific effect on reducing H₂O₂ and protecting DNA integrity (DFI). These endpoints are now prioritized for confirmatory studies.
Social and physical environmental correlates of movement behaviors, body weight status, and well-being among adolescents in Nigeria: a youth-centered participatory action project narrative review
(2026) Omotoso, Dayo
Background The epidemic of non-communicable diseases related to lifestyle movement behaviors is rising rapidly in Africa, with adolescents increasingly affected by physical inactivity, excessive sedentary behavior, poor sleep, being overweight or obese, as well as mental health challenges. While evidence supports the importance of social and physical environmental factors in improving adolescents’ health, understanding these issues among African adolescents remains limited. Insights from evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which are often underrepresented in research on environmental influences on movement behaviors and health, may be relevant to certain Western contexts, especially those in resource-constrained settings. This narrative review aims to synthesize findings from available literature on social and physical environmental correlates of movement behaviors, body weight status, and well-being among adolescents in Nigeria, an LMIC in Africa. Methods We searched electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online, for original research articles published prior to January 2025 on socioenvironmental factors and movement behaviors, body weight status, and well-being among Nigerian adolescents (aged 10–20 years). Each study underwent screening and data extraction by two reviewers. Study quality was assessed with the modified Downs and Black checklist, and data were analyzed using narrative synthesis. Results A total of 25 articles met the inclusion criteria, all of which were cross-sectional studies. The review suggested that social class, school settings, peer relationships, family structure, electronic device use in the bedroom, neighborhood walkability features, availability of open recreational spaces, and urbanization were important socioenvironmental factors related to multiple movement behaviors and health outcomes among Nigerian adolescents. Some of these relationships were modified by gender and socioeconomic status.
Behavioural, neurochemical, and neurohistological effects of bisphenol A and vanadium following chronic co-administration in mice
(2026) Omotoso, Dayo
Bisphenol A (BPA) and vanadium are industrial chemicals known to disrupt hormones and cause neurotoxicity. BPA is commonly found in food packaging and poses risks to human health through various exposure routes, while vanadium exposure can occur near power plants. Both chemicals induce oxidative stress, disrupt neurotransmission, and cause neuronal damage, yet research on their combined effects is limited. To examine the behavioral, neurochemical, and neurohistological changes associated with co-exposure to BPA and vanadium, we utilized 40 male BALB/c mice, divided into four groups: the control group, the BPA-exposed group, the vanadium-exposed group, and the BPA +vanadium co-exposed group. Mice in the control group received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) only. The BPA-exposed group was administered 10 µg/kg bw/day of BPA, while the vanadium-exposed group received 1.2 mg/kg bw/day of vanadyl sulphate. Mice in the BPA +vanadium co- exposed group received both 10 µg/kg bw/day of BPA and 1.2 mg/kg bw/day of vanadyl sulphate. Each group underwent this oral administration daily for 56 consecutive days. Moreover, we conducted behavioral, histological and neurochemical analyses on the prefrontal cortex of the mice. Our findings revealed that co- exposure to BPA and vanadium significantly exacerbated impairments in behavioral and neurochemical indicators. Notably, the histoarchitectural profile of the prefrontal cortex indicated evidence of neuronal cell death. In conclusion, our study suggests that co-exposure to BPA and vanadium correlates with detrimental effects on behaviors associated with the prefrontal cortex, alongside substantial neurochemical disruptions and compromised structural integrity.