Distribution of heavy metals in sediments of Igbede, Ojo and Ojora rivers of Lagos, Nigeria

The distribution of some heavy metals, namely Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cr and Mn in epipellic sediments of Igbede, Ojo and Ojora rivers of Lagos was studied weekly in the early summer (November) of 2003. The levels of selected trace metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (UNICAM 969 AAS SOLAR). Trends in heavy metal burdens in the sediments revealed weekly variations in all the rivers assessed. Statistical analyses also showed different mean levels of trace metals in the aquatic environments, the distribution of which followed the sequence Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd, Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Pb > Cr > Cd and Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd in Igbede, Ojo and Ojora rivers respectively. Fe recorded the highest concentration levels (1,582.95 ± 96.57 μg/g–1,910.34 ± 723.19 μg/g) in all the sediments investigated while the Cd levels (0.06 ± 0.10 μg/g–0.47 ± 0.36 μg/g) were the lowest. Expectedly, trace metal concentrations in fine grain muddy sediments of the Igbede and Ojo coastline were much higher than those of Ojora which consist of coarse and sandy deposits covering the near shore area. Generally, the results obtained fell within toler-able limits stipulated by World Health Organization (WHO)

Modern-Day Slavery? The Work-Life Conflict of Domestic Workers in Nigeria

Purpose – The trend of domestic employment thrives almost in every society. It is most common in developing countries, and Nigeria is no exception. This article examines the nature of the role of a domestic worker in Nigeria and the work-life conflict issues involved in such work. Design/Methodology/Approach – This study uses a qualitative research approach to examine the nature of the role of domestic workers and the associated work-life conflict issues. Findings – The findings show that the nature of the jobs of domestic workers in Nigeria gives rise to a situation of modern-day slavery in which an employee works without a formal employment contract, with little or no rights to private time. Long and unstructured working hours, employers’ perceptions about domestic workers, and an enormous workload fuel and exacerbate work-life conflict among domestic workers in Nigeria. Research Limitations/Implications – The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited and selected sample of the research and the research context. Practical Implications – The primacy of the employer over the employee in domestic employment means that both time and work-based conflicts continue to buffer work-life conflict if domestic workers’ working hours remain unscheduled and their employers’ perceptions about them remain unchanged. This invariably has a negative impact on the domestic workers’ health and productivity. Therefore, domestic employment should be regulated by law, and domestic workers should be treated like other formal employees. Originality/Value – This research contributes to the debates on work-life conflict by highlighting the nature of the role of domestic workers in a non-western context, Nigeria, and provides a nuanced insight into the work-life conflict issues involved in such work. The findings add conceptual thought and empirical evidence to the debate on work-life conflict

Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity and toxicology study of some metal complexes of mixed antibiotics

Mixed ligand metal complexes of ampicillin and chloramphenicol prepared by using Ni(II), Co(II) and Fe(III) metal chloride hexahydrate were reported and characterized based on some physical properties and spectroscopic analysis such as AAS, UV, and IR spectroscopy. The complexes were proposed to have the formulae [ML1L2](Cl)n ( where M= Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(III); L1 = ampicillin, L2 = chloramphenicol, and n=2-3). IR spectra suggested that both L1 and L2 coordinated to the metal ions in a terdentate manner with �(O-H), �(C=O) and �(N-H) as donor sites in each of the ligands. From analytical and spectroscopic data obtained, the complexes were proposed to be of octahedral. The synthesized complexes, in compares to their ligands, were also screened for their antibacterial activity against isolated strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia by using agar diffusion method. The activity data showed the metal complexes to be more potent antibacterial than the parent drugs against the three bacteria species. However, toxicology tests against some tissues of albino rat (Rattus novergicuss) revealed toxicity of the complexes as compared to the parent drugs because the complexes were found to significantly increase (P<0.05) alkaline phosphatase from homogenates of liver and kidney tissues of the tested doses. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in ALP of rat serum. The results generally indicated that more potent compounds with better physical properties and enhanced antimicrobial activities upon complexation have been prepared

Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes of sulphadoxine mixed with pyramethamine: Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial and toxicology study

Two new mixed ligands metal complexes of sulphadoxine and pyramethamine were prepared by using CuCl2.6H2O and FeCl3.6H2O. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, melting point determination, molar conductivity, metal content analysis (AAS), IR, magnetic susceptibility measurements and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Based on the analytical and spectroscopic data, the complexes were proposed to have the formulae [M1L1L2(Cl)2] and [M2L1L2(Cl)3] (where M1 = Cu(II), M2 = Fe(III)), L1 = sulphadoxine, L2 = pyramethamine). The spectroscopic data proposed L1 to be a monodentate ligand and coordinated through N atom of the NH2 group in both complexes. Also, L2 was proposed to be tridentate ligand and coordinated through N atom of the NH2 groups and through N atom of imine group. However, [M1L1L2(Cl)2] and [M2L1L2(Cl)3] were proposed to possess distorted octahedral geometry. Conductivity measurement values supported the non-electrolytic nature of the complexes. The complexes have been tested in vitro against a number of pathogenic bacteria [g(+) Escherichia coli, g(+) Proteus species, g(+) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and g(+) Salmonella typhi] by using disc diffusion method. Obtained results indicated that the metal complexes exhibited better antibacterial activities as compared to the ligands. Toxicology tests against some tissues of albino rat (Rattus novergicuss) revealed toxicity of the complexes in the kidney as compared to the parent drugs. [M1L1L2(Cl)2] was found to be toxic to the sera, livers and kidneys of the rats used, while [M2L1L2(Cl)3] was found to be non-toxic to the sera, livers and kidneys of the rats as their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values showed non-significant difference to the control value

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax in a term neonate

Pneumothorax is a rare but recognized cause of respiratory distress in the newborn. It can occur spontaneously or post-traumatic.We report our experience in a term male neonate who had primary spontaneous pneumothorax. He had no surgical intervention but completely recovered with conservative management and supplemental oxygen

Analysis of acidic properties of distribution transformer oil insulation: a case study of Jericho (Nigeria) distribution network

This paper examined the acidic properties of distribution transformer oil insulation in service at Jericho distribution network Ibadan, Nigeria. Five oil samples each from six distribution transformers (DT1, DT2, DT3, DT4 and DT5) making a total of thirty samples were taken from different installed distribution transformers all from the Jericho distribution network. 10 g of the oil sample were dissolved in 40 ml of solvent ethanol in a ratio of 5 to 4. Then 0.1mol/litre of Potassium hydroxide (KOH) was added as titre with volume increments of 0.001 ml. The system detects when the acidbase- equivalence-point is reached by a voltage measurement in the solution. A transformer insulating oil passes acidity test if the acidity content is not more than 0.2 mg KOH/g oil according to the guideline from the American Society of testing Materials (ASTM). It was observed that twenty test samples of transformer insulating oil from four distribution transformers passed acidity test while ten samples from the remaining two failed the test, showing the later were in conditions. With the acidic content beyond the prescribed minimum value present in the transformer oil, transformer winding is at the risk excessive heat due to internal conduction that could cause explosion or fire outbreak in the transformerKeywords: Acidity, Mineral Oil, Oxidation, Transformer, Distribution network

Ergonomic Evaluation and Establishment of Suitable Classroom Furniture Design Specifications for Secondary School Children in South-Western Nigeria

This research work compared the anthropometric dimensions of some secondary school students to the design dimensions of their chairs and desks to assess the furniture’s appropriateness. A total of 840 students, with their chairs and desks, from fourteen secondary schools in seven states in south-western Nigeria, were measured.  Popliteal height(PH), Buttock-Popliteal length (BPL), Hip breadth (HB), Shoulder Height (ShH), Elbow height (EH) and Knee height (KH)) of the children were measured using vernier callipers and an anthropometric chair. While Seat Height (SH), Seat Depth (SD), Seat Width (SW), Backrest Height (BH), Desk Height (DH) and Underneath Desk Height (UDH) were measured using a measuring tape. The SD and BH were suitable for the students, while major mismatches were noted in SH, DH and UDH. Using existing models, three types of chairs and tables were then proposed for the students. Keywords: School furniture, Anthropometric Chair, Popliteal height, Desk Heigh

Beyond The Call of Duty: Realities of Work-Life Balance in the United Arab Emirates Education Sector

Previous research have been intrigued to assess the mechanisms used by employees to cope with tedious work schedules and other areas of their non-work lives. While there are yet to be sufficient studies that explore the countries in the Middle East, this paper aimed to explore the realities of WLB among professionals in the education sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We further considered the implications of workplace and family support, and organisational culture on employees’ WLB and productivity. The study employs the use of qualitative data generated from semi-structured interviews of 41 lecturers across seven higher education institutions in Dubai, UAE aimed at investigating the various contexts of WLB