Comparative Analysis of Phytocompound Variations in Leaves, Bark and Roots of Allspice (Pimenta Dioica) Collections in Tanzania

Allspice, scientifically known as Pimenta dioica, holds potential as a natural source of beneficial compounds that have been historically used to address various human health concerns. The aim of this research was to explore differences in the compounds found in parts of Allspice (i.e., the leaves, bark, and roots). Petroleum ether, dichloromethane, and methanol were used to extract the substances from each part; the resulting crude extracts were then analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. To interpret the obtained data, the National Institute of Standards and Technology database was referred to for a spectra analysis. The findings indicated that the leaves contained 81 phytocompounds, bark had 18 types, and roots exhibited 12 varieties. Prominent phytocompounds found in the leaves were eugenol in 72.24% – 73.91% of the total compounds detected. Bark was primarily composed of 1,4-Methanoazulene, decahydro-4,8,8-trimethyl-9-methylene-, [1S-(1. alpha.,3a. beta.,4. alpha.,8a. beta.)] in 74.35% – 84.24%; while roots contained γ-sitosterol at an 86.08% concentration level. In terms of solvent performance, methanol exhibited high efficiency on leaves, while dichloromethane demonstrated optimal results on bark and roots. The findings confirm significant variations in phytocompound composition in different parts of Allspice and underscores the importance of considering specific types of phytocompounds, as well as extraction techniques to achieve valuable outcomes

Intersectionality in Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies: A Critical Review

The review article draws on key literature on intersectionality: theory, methodology, and empirical applications in Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies. The review points out the urgent need to account for diverse learners’ intersectional identities (racial/ethnic backgrounds, gender, linguistic ability, citizenship status, and other social identity markers) and embrace a social-justice-oriented praxis in education. We argue that integrating the intersectionality framework with existing learning theories, methods (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed), and pedagogies is possible and necessary. Based on the critical review, we propose four recommendations for researchers and practitioners in Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies: (a) staying faithful to the activism and liberatory commitment of intersectionality, (b) adopting appropriate method(s) and methodology with sound epistemological and axiological orientations, (c) reconceptualizing extant learning theories, which entails the re-thinking and validation of some education and psychological constructs, and (d) encouraging teaching and research on intersectionality and/or from an intersectional lens. The review article can serve as a guideline to incorporate intersectionality as theory and analytical framework. It is only through these practices that center intersectionality that we, as researchers and practitioners, become capable of creating a more equitable and inclusive learning environment from K-12 to Higher Education

Sterilize Methods Comparison for Soils: Cost, Time, and Efficiency

Soil sterilization is generally used to eliminate or reduce microbial activity in studies involving microbial inoculations, soil enzymes, among others. Achieving an adequate sterility condition is not straightforward due to the variety of resistance structures that are generated in soil microbial ecosystems and the reservoirs that can form between soil aggregates. This is why finding an effective method to achieve good sterilization is important in methodological terms, so the present work aims to compare the effectiveness of three widely used methodologies to sterilize soil and to evaluate their cost/benefit in terms of time and inputs invested. Four treatments were tested: gamma irradiation, sterilization cycles at different times: three cycles of 1 h each and four cycles of 15 min each, and chloroform vapors. The evaluation and comparison of all samples sterilized by the different methodologies were based on the total aerobic heterotrophic bacterial count. The results of this study suggest that it is more efficient to use autoclaving methods because the process is more accessible in terms of equipment and methodologies, and the final results are the same. In the case of this work, sterilization with chloroform vapors had to be rejected. While the use of gamma radiation may be more efficient in terms of time, it can be a costly and inaccessible service for some laboratories that do not have the equipment. Therefore, the most viable options in terms of time, cost, and benefit are those using autoclaves. Among these, shorter treatment times mean a reduction in the cost of using the equipment, so the option of 15-minute cycles is desirable

COVID-Related Mental Health and Smoking in Sexual Minority Women

Sexual minority women face a range of health disparities, including high rates of mental health issues, alcohol and tobacco use, obesity, stroke, and general poorer health compared to heterosexual women.  The minority stress model describes how members of a minority group, including sexual minorities, face unique stressors related to a stigmatized social status. Research has shown that sexual minorities who face increased discrimination, as described in the minority stress model, tend to have increased smoking rates. The present study sought to examine how increased mental health-related stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the smoking behaviors of sexual minority women. Data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were used to build OLS regression and mediation models determining how female sexual minority status moderated the relation between COVID-19-related impacts on mental health and smoking. Results found that sexual minority women with the highest levels of negative impacts on mental health as a result of COVID-19 smoked the fewest cigarettes as compared to heterosexual women. The finding that high levels of mental health distress are related to a reduction in smoking among sexual minority women warrants further research to examine if this effect is COVID-19-specific, or a more generalized pattern of stress and mental health impacts on smoking behavior

Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and Insecurity: Addressing the Missing Links and Reoccurring Issues

Insecurity is the biggest problem in Africa and nothing meaningful has been done by several sovereign states in Sub-Saharan Africa to stem the tide and its effects on nations all over the region. To this end, security has risen to be the dire need to be considered through the lens of foreign policy as an integral part of public administration and governance in Nigeria. Therefore, this paper specifically explored the missing links that gave rise to the problem of insecurity from foreign policy perspective; and the reoccurring issues that the ebb and flow of her foreign policy posed to Nigerian public space with major focus on Buhari’s Administration. Secondary data was employed to analyse the broad and specific objectives of this paper through a descriptive and explanatory method. The missing link in Nigeria’s foreign policy and security challenges spotted in the analysis are political ideology, globalization, poorly unchecked borderlands, and high rate of migration of criminal elements. The paper discovered some reoccurring issues in Nigeria’s foreign policy and security challenges. The paper concluded that all is not well with the country, because while the protectionist policy under President Buhari to a great extent blocked foreign trade, it left security of borderlands at the mercy of corrupt security personnel. Based on this, all hands must be on deck to exterminate the current tide in the wave of insecurity ravaging the country at all costs

Remarks on the Solution of Fractional Ordinary Differential Equations Using Laplace Transform Method

In this work we used the Laplace transform method to solve linear fractional-order differential equation, fractional ordinary differential equations with constant and variable coefficients. The solutions were expressed in terms of Mittag-Leffler functions, and then written in a compact simplified form. As a special case for simplicity, the order of the derivative determined the order of the solution that was obtained. This paper presented several case studies involving the implementation of Fractional Order calculus-based models, whose results demonstrate the importance of Fractional Order Calculus

A Short Note on Scientific Research Methodologies

Scientific research methodologies are critical to the advancement of scientific knowledge and the development of new theories and concepts. Researchers use a variety of methodologies to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, and answer research questions. Understanding the different research methodologies available is essential for selecting the appropriate approach to address specific research questions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of scientific research methodologies, including experimental research, observational research, survey research, case study research, and correlational research

Recent Development on the Extraction Process of Plants Essential Oil and its Effect on Chemical Composition: A Review

This study presents a thorough review on different innovative extraction techniques of different plant essential oil derived from its peel, leaves, seeds and shrubs. The review also entails the different pre-treatment processes that affects the quality and recovery of the plant essential oil. Also, discussed the recently developed green extraction method such as Microwave Assisted Hydrodistillation (MAHD), Solvent Free Microwave Extraction (SFME), Ultrasound Assisted Extraction (UAE), Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) and Ohmic Heated Assisted Hydrodistillation (OHAD). The impact of these extraction process on the important chemical composition of essential oil is further analyzed in this review. The important parameters in extraction is also studied such as the water to material ratio, extraction temperature, power input and extraction time. Based on the different articles reviewed, it signifies that the innovative extraction method improves the quality and quantity of the essential oil yield. It also improved the number of component that can be extracted in the plant essential oil and its biological activities such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Thus this review aims to emphasize the potential of the newly developed essential oil extraction techniques that would help to boon the pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture industry

Popcorn Polymers in Butadiene Extraction Units

Several aspects disturb operation of industrial facilities which can cause severe impact on their efficiency and productivity. In some cases, the impact can expose industrial facilities to serious safety concerns. Therefore, Industrial facilities should always plan to invest in reliability and sustainability of their daily operation. Polymerization is one of the unavoidable risks that can be unpredictable and cause several issues to operating facilities. On the other hand, effective proactive plans can be addressed to minimize and eliminate polymerization risks. This article provides introductory information about polymerization of butadiene “Popcorn polymers”, formation mechanism, associated hazard, control and mitigation methodologies

Impact of Genotype × Environment Interaction on Seed Yield and Pod Shattering of Soybean Genotypes in Nigeria

Yield instability and pod shattering are the major problems associated with soybean production in Nigeria. To study Genotype × Environment interaction effects on seed yield and pod shattering behaviour of some soybean genotypes in Nigeria, an experiment was conducted in three (3) environments within the country. In each environment, the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. During the harvest, pod shattering evaluation was conducted using the sun-dry method. Data were collected on seed yield and pod shattering percentage and analyzed using Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and Genotype plus Genotype × Environment Interaction (GGE) bi-plot analyses. Genotypes NCRI SOYAC18, NCRI SOYAC78, NCRI SOYAC9, NCRI SOYAC20, NCRI SOYAC61, NCRI SOYAC22, NCRI SOYAC28 and NCRI SOYAC76, with yields above 1.23 ton/ha recorded high and stable yield across environments. For pod shattering resistance, nine genotypes (NCRI SOYAC3, NCRI SOYAC69, NCRI SOYAC77, NCRI SOYAC29, NCRI SOYAC9, NCRI SOYAC7, NCRI SOYAC67, NCRI SOYAC76 and NCRI SOYAC22) had stable pod shattering resistance across environments. Therefore, only three genotypes (NCRI SOYAC9, NCRI SOYAC22, and NCRI SOYAC76) were stable in both high yield and resistance to pod shattering. Consequently, any soybean breeding programme that involves high yield and pod shattering resistance could consider these three genotypes