Adsorption of Lead (II) and Copper (II) ions Onalginate and Kaolinite Activated Charcoal Composite Beads

Heavy metals pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems today. Biobased adsorbent have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their availability, recyclability, simple modification and cost effectiveness. In this study, alginate composite beads were prepared using kaolinite clay and activated charcoal by simple dripping methods. The prepared beads were tested for the removal of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption parameters such as initial pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and amount of the adsorbent were investigated. The experimental result showed that the adsorption of copper and lead ions followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model when compared to firstorder model. Langmuir isotherm model fitted better than Freundlich model based on the correlation coefficient greater than 0.99for both Pb2+ and Cu2+with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 73 mg/g and 35mg/g respectively. The results indicate that the composite beads adsorbed Pb2+ ions more effectively when compared with Cu2+ ions and therefore could be employed as a low-cost alternative adsorbent for Pb2+ in waste water treatment.Keywords: Activated charcoal; alginate; kaolinite; composite; Isotherm; Kinetic

The contribution of management schools of thought to the development of public administration’s principles

Before the development of public administration as a discipline of its own, it was a sub-field or sub-set within political science. Management principles played a very vital role to the development of public administration as fields of study as well as a field of practice. Woodrow, and Taylor had contributed immensely to the development of management principles. Particularly, Taylor with his scientific principle has paved the way for the subsequent scholars in propounding management/administrative principles, ranging from human relation school, to management science, and finally new management technique These schools of thoughts have played a significant role in the development of public administration paradigm. This paper seeks to explore the contribution of management school of thought to the development of public administration as a field of studies and practice. The paper concludes that management school of thought have contributed immensely to the development of public administration as a field of study and practice

Effect of education infrastructure on rural development in Katsina State Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of education infrastructure on rural development by focusing on poverty, employment, agricultural productivity, and healthcare. Additionally, the study also the moderating effect of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) on the relationship between education infrastructure and rural development in Katsina State Nigeria. This study adopted a cross-section survey design and the data for the study was mainly from primary source through questionnaire. Human capital theory was adopted as the underpinning theory of the study, and based on a theoretical review, a research model was proposed that examines the relationship between the variables. Eight hypotheses were postulated that tested the effect of education infrastructure and the moderating effect of NGOs on rural development (comprising poverty, employment, agricultural productivity, and healthcare). The total population of this study was 5,801,485 out of which 384 are taken as the sample size, using Saunders (2007) sampling method. A total of 434 questionnaires was administered to the respondents, out of which 410 was returned accounting for 95 percent rate of returned. A combination of descriptive and inferential statistics was used in analyzing the data collected, using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Multiple regression was used in analyzing the direct relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable, whereas hierarchical regression was used in analyzing the moderating effect of the moderating variable on the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. The findings of this study revealed that, education infrastructure have a direct significant relationship on rural development relating to employment, agricultural productivity, and healthcare while there was no significant relationship with poverty. Furthermore, the result of the hierarchical regression (moderation test) establishes that NGOs moderate the relationships between poverty, agricultural productivity, and healthcare, but it did not moderate the relationship with employment. Lastly, based on the findings of this study, the theoretical and practical implication, limitations of the study, conclusions, as well as direction for future research were also provided by this study

Do Termitaria Indicate the Presence of Groundwater? A Case Study of Hydrogeophysical Investigation on a Land Parcel with Termite Activity.

Termite nests have long been suggested to be good indicators of groundwater but only a few studies are available to demonstrate the relationship between the two. This study therefore aims at investigating the most favourable spots for locating groundwater structures on a small parcel of land with conspicuous termite activity. To achieve this, geophysical soundings using the renowned vertical electrical sounding (VES) technique was carried out on the gridded study area. A total of nine VESs with one at the foot of a termitarium were conducted. The VES results were interpreted and assessed via two different techniques: (1) physical evaluation as performed by drillers in the field and (2) integration of primary and secondary geoelectrical parameters in a geographic information system (GIS). The result of the physical evaluation indicated a clear case of subjectivity in the interpretation but was consistent with the choice of VES points 1 and 6 (termitarium location) as being the most prospective points to be considered for drilling. Similarly, the integration of the geoelectrical parameters led to the mapping of the most prospective groundwater portion of the study area with the termitarium chiefly in the center of the most suitable region. This shows that termitaria are valuable landscape features that can be employed as biomarkers in the search of groundwater

The challenges of educational development in Katsina State Nigeria: implication for rural development

Over the years there has been challenge has had faced with so many challenges educational development in Nigeria among which is absence of definite policy on education as well lack of infrastructure, lack sufficient and quality teachers.The objective of the study was to examine the challenges of educational development in katsina state Nigeria.The study employed secondary data collection and qualitative analytical method analysis, the study revealed that policy inconsistency is among the challenges that deter educational development attainment as well as lack of sufficient teachers.It is therefore recommend that a definite educational development road-map should be initiated and implemented as well as intensifies effort in recruiting sufficient and qualitative teachers

Dyslipidaemic, oxidative stress and immunoinflammatory alterations in a rat model of late-night eating

Background: Modern-humans have adapted a 24/7 active and feeding lifestyles with consequential eating at odds with the circadian system that threatens to pose a pandemic of metabolic diseases. Since nocturnally restricted feeding promotes growth and metabolic fitness and that adlibitum feeding disturbs diurnal rhythms and metabolic health in rodents, the use of adlibitum controls in metabolic researches can have doubtful extrapolative conclusions. Here, we simulated human late-night eating using feed restricted controls with the primary aim of exploring possible dyslipidaemic, oxidative stress and immunoinflammatory alterations of Late-night eating in Wistar rats. Methods: Sixteen (16) male Wistar rats (aged 8-10 weeks) were randomly assigned into control or late-night eating group (n=8). Fasting weight and blood glucose were obtained and Lipids were analyzed using their respective Randox kits. Malondialdehyde, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were assayed while Full blood counts and CD 4+ Tcells were determined using automated analyzers. Data were analyzed using SPSS V20.0, compared using Student’s t-test and significance set at p≤ 0.05. Results: Our findings have demonstrated that late-night eating is associated with an overall significant decrease in total feeds intake, Fasting blood glucose, High density lipoprotein, catalase, and CD4+ cell counts. On the other hand, Cardiac risk ratio and Atherogenic coefficient are marginally raised, while Platelet lymphocyte ratio, Monocyte lymphocyte ratio and Monocyte High density lipoprotein ratio are insignificantly higher among the late-night eating rats than in controls. Conclusion: Although our finding could not demonstrate an elevated risk of obesity or diabetes, it has uncovered the dyslipidaemic, oxidative stress and immunoinflammatory alterations associated with late-night eating. Keywords: CD4 lymphocyte count; Complete blood count; Late-night eating; Lipid ratios; Oxidative stress

A REVIEW ON EMERGING PATHOGENESIS OF COVID-19 AND POINTS OF CONCERN FOR RESEARCH COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA

Background: COVID-19 remains an emerging pandemic that continuously poses an alarming threat and challenge to economic, social and wellbeing of the people throughout the world. It also remains an evolving disease which complete pathogenesis that translates into clinical features is only just emerging by each second of the day. There have been observations about the emerging trends of the disease in Nigeria like in any other country in the world where there is outbreak. This study examined from evidence-based literature the emerging pathogenesis of COVID-19 and important points of concern of the disease in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The paper reviewed published articles in PubMed and Google Scholar using search terms ‘COVID-19” and “SARS-CoV-2”, as well as searched for general COVID-19 information on internet. Results: The result summarized literature on emerging pathogenesis of COVID-19 and important points of concern as well as research questions as to the peculiar trends of the disease in Nigeria. Conclusion: Pathogenesis of COVID-19 remains an emerging knowledge and there are many important research questions that need to be scientifically answered for a successful containment of COVID-19 in Nigeria. It is recommended that all members of intellectual research communities should join the fight against COVID-19 pandemic

A review on emerging pathogenesis of COVID-19 and points of concern for research communities in Nigeria

Background: COVID-19 remains an emerging pandemic that continuously poses an alarming threat and challenge to economic, social and well-being of the people throughout the world. It also remains an evolving disease which complete pathogenesis that translates into clinical features is only just emerging by each second of the day. There have been observations about the emerging trends of the disease in Nigeria like in any other country in the world where there is outbreak. This study examined from evidence-based literature the emerging pathogenesis of COVID-19 and important points of concern of the disease in Nigeria.Materials and Methods: The paper reviewed published articles in PubMed and Google Scholar using search terms „COVID-19” and “SARS-CoV-2”, as well as searched for general COVID-19 information on internet.Results: The result summarized literature on emerging pathogenesis of COVID-19 and important points of concern as well as research questions as to the peculiar trends of the disease in Nigeria.Conclusion: Pathogenesis of COVID-19 remains an emerging knowledge and there are many important research questions that need to be scientifically answered for a successful containment of COVID-19 in Nigeria. It is recommended that all members of intellectual research communities should join the fight against COVID-19 pandemic

Elevated Plasma D-dimer Levels In Children with Sickle Cell Anemia In Steady State Attending State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) has been linked with altered plasma levels of D‑dimer. However, routine assessment of D‑dimer and other coagulation indices in SCA patients are rarely carried out. The aim of this study was to determine the mean plasma levels of D‑dimer and other coagulation indices in children with SCA in a steady state and them with with that of healthy HbAA genotype controls. Materials and Methods: This was a case–control study involving 40 children with SCA in steady state and 40 healthy HbAA genotype controls. Plasma D‑dimer, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and platelet count were determined using appropriate laboratory techniques. Data analysis was by JMP software. Independent t‑test was used to determine the difference in quantitative variables between SCA patients and controls. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean ages of the SCA patients and controls were 13.98 ± 6.71 and 13.85 ± 7.45, respectively. The SCA patients had longer mean PT (20.48 ± 6.51 vs. 13.89 ± 2.13, P = 0.0001) and aPTT (40.91 ± 9.08 vs. 32.63 ± 4.44, P = 0.0001) compared to the controls. Similarly, the SCA patients had higher platelet count (449.70 ± 162.87 vs. 302.58 ± 83.34 × 109 /L, P = 0.0001) and plasma D‑dimer (3.18 ± 2.72 mg/L vs. 0.29 ± 0.52 mg/L, P = 0.0001) compared to the controls. Equally, 98% of the SCA patients had high plasma D‑dimer. Conclusion: The SCA patients had higher plasma D‑dimer and platelet count and longer PT and aPTT compared to controls. Keywords: D‑dimer, Maiduguri, Nigeria, sickle cell anemia, steady state&nbsp

Towards promoting rural infrastructure for poverty reduction: analysis of FADAMA III small-scale community-owned infrastructure in Kaduna and Sokoto States, Nigeria

This study is aimed at assessing the impacts of Third National Fadama Development Project (NFDP III) on provision of Small-scale Community-owned Infrastructures (SCIs) for poverty reduction. The sector goal of NFDP III was to reduce poverty by improving the living conditions of the rural poor; contribute to food security and increase access to rural infrastructure. The study made use of questionnaires to generate primary data from 245 respondents whilst Project Implementation Manuals, Appraisal Reports, Baseline and Midline Surveys, etc constituted the secondary data. The study found out that outcomes of NFDP III had profound impacts on the incidence of poverty of the beneficiaries. For example in Kaduna State, incomes of Crop farmers increased by 199% and Livestock owners by 221%. In Sokoto State, the incomes of Crop farmers increased by 225% and Livestock owners by 315%. The food security situation of about 84.4% and 98.3% of the beneficiaries had improved, greatly and the socio-economic conditions of 74.2% and 95.7% of the beneficiaries had been promoted, significantly. The study recommends that to further sustained the impetus created by NFDP III on poverty reduction in Nigeria, the Federal, States and Local Governments should as a matter of concern, extend their commitments beyond those of facilitating the provision of rural infrastructure to those of scaling-up the levels of provision, maintenance and management and poverty reduction should ever remain part of national development goals