ICT in National Pandemic: The Hope for Academic Development (Case Study of Secondary Schools and Universities in Owerri Municipal Nigeria)

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have become more of a classroom to all nation in carrying out academic activities. This research work used descriptive research method of analysis. This study was concerned with looking at the significance and hope of nations through the use of ICT in academic development in secondary and university education in Owerri municipal Imo state, Nigeria. Out of the Two hundred and five (205) respondent used for this research from different schools, including teachers the majority of respondents 132 (64.4%) were females and the remaining 73 (35.6%) were males. Their ages were 73 (36 %) for 16-20 years, 61 (30 %) for 10-15 years, 51 (26%) for 20-25 years and 17 (8 %) for 26 years above. All the 205 respondents indicated that ICT is the only hope for distance learning during national pandemic for academic development. The researcher went further to ask the respondents the frequently used ICT software that aids online learning and the highest respond shown that whatsapp (50 %) was the highest used app due to its ability to reduce data consumption followed by Google classroom (24%). They found out that the use of ICT encourage research activities since all information needed for any form of online research is found on the internet. Majority of the respondents strongly agreed that ICT permits online assignment (57.5 %). Communicating high expectations, emphasizing time on task, creating quizzes and exams, immediate feedback mechanisms are major principles underlying teaching. This research can conclude that ICTs are said to help expand approach to education, support the relevance of education to the progressively digital workplace, and raise educational quality. Keywords: academic, ICT, national, pandemic DOI: 10.7176/IKM/10-7-02 Publication date:October 31st 202

Trace metal, FTIR and phytochemical analysis of Viscum album leaves harvested from Pentaclethra macrophylla

The leaves of mistletoe (Viscum album) harvested from oil bean tree (Pentaclethra macrophylla) in Imo State South Eastern Nigeria was studied. The study was aimed at carrying out trace metal, Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) and phytochemical analysis of ethanol leave extracts of Viscum album harvested from Pentaclethra macrophylla. The sample for trace metal analysis was digested with a mixture of concentrated HNO3 and HClO4 at a ratio of 1:1 for 24 hours. Ethanol was then used to extract the sample meant for FTIR and phytochemical analysis. Herein, trace metal determination indicates the presence of Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu and Cr, and the concentration of Ca and Mn is at < 0.00 mg/kg. The result of the phytochemical screening demonstrates the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, saponins and tannins. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of alcohols, amides, aromatics and carbonyl compounds in ethanol extracts of Viscum album harvested from Pentaclethra macrophylla. The presence of some trace metals and phytochemicals, as well as some important functional groups in the plant sample, as indicated by the result of the study, authenticates its use in traditional medicine

Application of Assessment Models for Health Risk and Pollution from Surface Water from Okumpi River in Nwangele, Imo State, Nigeria

The mean and standard deviation of pH value in the present study during the wet and dry seasons varied from 6.21±0.22 - 5.75±0.41. The mean and standard deviation of EC in the current study ranges between 219.15±12.20 - 193.30±14.81 μS/cm for wet and dry seasons which are found to be in line with the WHO standard used. The mean and standard deviation of DO for this study during the wet and dry seasons were found to be 10.03±0.58 - 6.47±0.41 (mg/L). TDS for wet and dry seasons ranges from 374.79 ±5.33 - 121.65 ±6.33 mg/L. The nitrate [9.05 ±1.08 - 8.09 ±1.57], sulphate [3.91 ±0.51 – 3.73 ±0.46] and phosphate [82.78 ±3.86 - 81.76±3.32] in this present study for wet and dry season were all found to be below the standard. The Hazard quotient via ingestion and Hazard quotient via dermal has a reduction in the order of lead > nickel > iron > manganese > copper > zinc and lead > zinc > nickel > copper > iron > manganese > cadmium, in cooperation in children and adults in wet season, correspondingly. The Hazard quotient via ingestion and Hazard quotient via dermal has a decrease in the following order of nickel > lead > manganese > copper > iron > zinc and lead >zinc > nickel > copper > manganese > iron > for both children and adults in dry season, respectively. Lead possess carcinogenic risk for the inhabitants of this area due to the value of the carcinogenic risk n wet season of 4.05E-4 in adult and 1.55E-3 in children, in dry season of 2.57E-4 in adult and 9.88E-4 in children, against the standard set by the USEPA of 10-6 – 10-4. The surface water is not suitable for drinking as seen by the high water quality index of > 300. Lead possess carcinogenic risk for the inhabitants

Trace metals analysis of soil and edible plant leaves from abandoned municipal waste dumpsite in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria

Municipal refuse may increase heavy metal concentration in soil, even at low levels, and their resulting long-term cumulative health effects are among the leading health concerns all over the world. In this study, we investigated the concentration of heavy metals in soils and edible plant leaves grown in an abandoned dumpsite along Akachi road in Owerri municipality. The soil samples were collected at each plot using a soil auger at the depth of 0-10 cm. Leaves of dominant edible plant species were selected and collected from each sample plot. The samples were dried in an oven with forced air at 40 °C, milled to fine powder then digested with 10 ml concentrated HNO3 and 5 ml concentrated HClO4 and were analyzed for Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Al, and Zn, using an H183200 MultiParameter Bench Photometer. Result showed that metals in in the sampled soils included (in order of quantity) Cr: 150-280 >Fe: 116.50-203 >Cu: 12.4-18.8 >Mn: 0-20 >Al: 0.08-0.16 >Zn: 0-1.4 mg kg-1 Dw. Moreover, levels of metals in the edible plant leaves are in the order of: Zn>Fe>Cu>Al>Mn>Cr. Zn, in particular, was higher than FAO/WHO recommended limits. Still, application of Pollution Load Index and Ecological risk models showed that the area is unpolluted and safe for use. Daily Metal Intake estimates indicated that zinc is mostly consumed from the plant species. The trends in Transfer Factor for the heavy metal in vegetable samples studied were in order: Zn>Al>Cu>Mn>Fe>Cr. Therefore, abandoned solid waste dumpsites contained significant concentrations of heavy metals which are later absorbed and accumulated by plants growing it

Comparative study of the properties of yellow and brown Cyperus esculentus L.

The present research accounts for the physicochemical and phytochemical characteristics of yellow and brown Cyperus esculentus, which were subjected to standard chemical and biochemical analysis. The results obtained from the analysis of yellow tiger nut showed the following phytochemical properties: anthocyanin 0.82 ± 0.02 µg/ml, oxalate 1.43 ± 0.05 µg/ml, tannin 12.22 ± 0.10 µg/ml, rutin 39.19 ± 0.29 µg/ml, phenol 10.94 ± 0.05 µg/ml, lunamarine 38.99 ± 0.07 µg/ml, saponin 44.67 ± 0.15 µg/ml, ribalinidine 1.35 ± 0.03 µg/ml, phytate 0.33 ± 0.01 µg/ml, catechin 48.29 ± 0.04 µg/ml, and kaempferol 38.59 ± 0.02 µg/ml. The brown tiger nut showed the presence of the phytochemicals with values as: anthocyanin 0.01 ± 0.00 µg/ml, oxalate 2.66 ± 0.02 µg/ml, tannin 12.67 ± 0.04 µg/ml, rutin 43.99 ± 0.05 µg/ml, phenol 11.02 ± 0.10 µg/ml, lunamarine 39.66 ± 0.03 µg/ml, saponin 47.79 ± .06 µg/ml, ribalinidine 1.21 ± 0.04 µg/ml, phytate 0.28 ± 0.03 µg/ml, catechin 46.77 ± 0.05 µg/ml, and kaempferol 38.34 ± 0.15 µg/ml. The observed level of mineral elements in the tiger nut is in the increasing order of zinc > sodium > iron > copper > calcium > magnesium > potassium for yellow tiger nut, and for brown tiger nut the order is zinc > sodium > iron > copper > calcium > magnesium > potassium. The values of physical and chemical properties recorded for yellow tiger nut is in the increasing order of moisture > ash content > crude protein > crude fiber > crude fat > carbohydrate, the increasing order for brown tiger nut shows ash content > moisture > crude protein > crude fiber > crude fat > carbohydrate. This indicates that tiger nuts contain elevated carbohydrate levels, crude fat and protein. From the data obtained, the high potassium to low sodium ratio of the two species of tiger nuts consequently might be imperative in diet recommendations for patients with high blood pressure (high BP) and edema as well. The investigated tiger nut varieties are rich sources of the phytochemicals, oil and contain moderate amounts of protein. They are also rich sources of fiber and carbohydrates. The phytochemical constituents of the tiger nuts are important and could be of high commercial significance in both, research institutes and pharmaceuticals companies for manufacturing of new drugs and for therapeutic applications

Indirect exposure to novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): an overview of current knowledge

This review chronicles the indirect transmission method which seems to be overlooked by most people and makes attempts to document the various transmission ways with a hope that such information may strengthen the knowledge base of researchers towards methods of eradicating the pandemic. Current knowledge of transmission and exposure of SARS-CoV-2 has been explained. Various researchers have put forward different ways of exposure and transmission.&nbsp; Literature does not reveal whether the indirect transmission route is the dominant one. However, total lockdown could be a veritable means to reduce both direct and indirect transmission routes. In many countries where the indirect transmission has been reduced, the scourge of the virus is less. The work creates awareness on the need to watch out for those routes of transmissions that may not be popular and suggested vital knowledge gaps that need to fill. &nbsp