Assessment of Soil-Water Infiltration Dynamics of Waste Oil Polluted Terrestrial Habitat Under Macrophytic Remediation: A Window for Automobile Workshops

Automobile workshops are the hub of waste oil sources among other sources of pollution with it attendance consequence of physico-edaphic alterations of the terrestrial soil habitat. This research was aimed at reevaluating the demonstrated potential of three hydrocarbon tolerant leguminous species; in view of their application in automobile workshop surroundings. Field and laboratory analysis of the physico-edaphic parameters were carried out using universally acceptable standard methods. Result has recorded enhanced infiltration rate by phytotechnology among Peltophorum pterocarpium (Pp), Leucaena leucocephala (Ll) and Crotolaria retusa (Cr) waste oil soils in the order Pp<Cl<Ll; in which P. pterocarpum has increased infiltration at lesser time rate of 1.07 ± 0.31, 1.51 ± 0.02, 2.48 ± 0.35 and 3.13 ± 1.45 across levels of treatment with significant difference (p<0.05). This was correspondingly in direct relationship with the significantly enhanced particle size (87.73%) of sand, and 2.61g/cm3 particle density, reduced bulk density (0.83g/cm3), 68% porosity increase and reduced organic matter content of 2.65%, total hydrocarbon content reduction of 1.8mg/g, high efficiency of 55% hydrocarbon removal, 34.40 bioaccumulation quotient and 24.63% reduction in crusting hazard of sealing recorded. Conclusively, P. pterocarpum can be proposed for automobile workshops as a proactive measure and containment absorbent among other hydrocarbon restoration approach against envisaged waste oil discharge. Keywords: Crusting hazard, total hydrocarbon, root formation, bioaccumulation quotient and particle size. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-3-07 Publication date:March 31st 201

Universal Basic Education Programme for Global Competitiveness: A Need for Paradigm Shift

When the goal of UBE, “Education For All” (EFA) which is in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was envisaged from the conception of the scheme, little did anyone know that fourteen years after, the policy would not make a significant achievement in competing with systems in other developed nations of the world. Recent reports show that it would take Nigeria more than 70 years before all children will have access to primary education. This paper is a call on needed paradigm shift in UBE for global competitiveness. The paper x-rays the matters arising in the scheme to include the quota policy, placing of ceiling on the number of pupils to be registered in a state among others. The paper also highlighted some envisaged problems of the implementation of the programme to include policy standard and objectives, policy resources, inter-governmental communication and enforcement, the characteristics of implementing agencies and the economic, social and political conditions and as well the disposition of policy implementers. The paper called for paradigm shift in the area of human, financial, infrastructural resources as well as quality assurance and social mobilization. Suggestion is therefore made that the scheme should be given attention like any other sector. Keywords: Basic Education, Universal, Competiveness, Implementation, Education for All

Thirty-five years (1986–2021) of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria: bibliometric and scoping analysis

Background Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an acquired defect of the cellular immunity associated with the infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The disease has reached pandemic proportion and has been considered a public health concern. This study is aimed at analyzing the trend of HIV/AIDS research in Nigeria. Method We used the PUBMED database to a conduct bibliometric analysis of HIV/AIDS-related research in Nigeria from 1986 to 2021 employing “HIV”, “AIDS”, “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome”, “Human immunodeficiency virus”, and “Nigeria” as search description. The most common bibliometric indicators were applied for the selected publications. Result The number of scientific research articles retrieved for HIV/AIDS-related research in Nigeria was 2796. Original research was the predominant article type. Articles authored by 4 authors consisted majority of the papers. The University of Ibadan was found to be the most productive institution. Institutions in the United States dominated external production with the University of Maryland at the top. The most utilized journal was PLoS ONE. While Iliyasu Z. was the most productive principal author, Crowel TA. was the overall most productive author with the highest collaborative strength. The keyword analysis using overlay visualization showed a gradual shift from disease characteristics to diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Trend in HIV/AIDS research in Nigeria is increasing yet evolving. Four articles were retracted while two had an expression of concern. Conclusion The growth of scientific literature in HIV/AIDS-related research in Nigeria was found to be high and increasing. However, the hotspot analysis still shows more unexplored grey areas in future

Digital media and the participation of rural dwellers in politics - a case study of central senatorial district in Cross River State - Nigeria

This study focuses on digital media and the participation of rural dwellers in politics. The emergence of digital media has largely challenged what used to be the hegemony of traditional media. It has also been responsible for the now increased participation of rural dwellers in politics. The current study tried to establish this relationship between the emergence of digital media and increased participation of rural dwellers in politics. While doing this, the study makes use of the Public Sphere Theory as its theoretical framework and in the version propounded by the German Scholar, Jurgen Habermas in 1962. The relevance of the theory to this work is that it seeks to explain how members of the public become active participants in the political life. A survey design was adopted which elicited data from 190 respondents, cutting across three rural settlements in the Central Senatorial Districts of Cross River State, Nigeria. The purposive sampling technique was employed, and the findings suggested that there is a phenomenal rise in political participation among rural dwellers following the advent of digital media. This has, in the view of this study, given birth to a new political culture, "Rural participants’ political culture", (RPPC). Consequent upon this, the study recommended the continuous engagement of digital media in the entire body of the nation's politics.Keywords: Digital media, rural dwellers, political participatio

Successful seed germination of the nickel hyperaccumulator Stackhousia tryonii

Background and Aims Stackhousia tryonii, a rare nickel hyperaccumulating herb, is endemic to ultramafic (serpentine) soils of central Queensland, Australia. The effects of eight dormancy-relieving treatments on germination of stored seeds of Stackhousia tryonii were investigated under controlled light and temperature conditions. Methods The treatments were: untreated (control i), leached and dehydrated (primed control ii), treating with gibberellic acid (150 and 300 uM), smoke extract (5 and 10 %, v/v) and potassium cyanide (40 and 80 mM). Key Results Freshly harvested seeds did not germinate. Germination percentage increased with time of storage for up to 18 months (38.3 %). Gibberellin, smoke extract and cyanide treatments did not significantly improve germination. Light did not affect seed germination and there was no interaction between dormancy-relieving treatments and light. A significant inhibition of germination occurred in seeds treated with 5 % (but not 10 %) aqueous smoke extract. Saturated fatty acids, predominantly tridecanoic (C13:0), constituted about 90 % of the total fatty acids in the oil of freshly harvested seeds. In contrast, there was increased accumulation (>75 %) of monounsaturated (oleic, C18:1) and poly-unsaturated (linoleic, C18:2; linolenic, C18:3) fatty acids in the oil of stored seeds. Conclusions Seeds of S. tryonii require an after-ripening period for germination

Impacts of sunlight exposure on physicochemical parameters, potential toxic metals, and microbial characteristics of sachet drinking water sold in Calabar metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract Poor handling of potable water is a well-known route of contamination. Despite this, Nigeria’s most consumed packaged potable water called “sachet” or “pure water” is still poorly handled with long hours of exposure to sunlight which may affect its quality. This study examined the potential deterioration of the sachet water quality (potential toxic metals and bacteriological), and the health implication posed by long-time exposure to sunlight. Collected water samples were subjected to physiochemical analysis, metal analysis, risk assessment, and microbiological examination. Three sachet water brands (n = 4 bags per brand) exposed to sunlight daily for 14, 28, and 42 days were analysed for potentially toxic metals, and health risk assessments (Average daily dose-ADD, hazard quotient-HQ, hazard index-HI, and carcinogenic risk-CR). The physicochemical, and microbiological (total heterotrophic bacteria count-THBC, and total coliform count-TCC) parameters were equally analysed using the Kirby Bauer and pour plate technique. In all brands, the levels of physicochemical parameters (except pH), and potential toxic metals were comparatively higher than the control in an exposure time-dependent fashion. Furthermore, all the exposed samples failed to meet the safety limits of the WHO, and national standards (NAFDAC and NDSWQ) for drinking water. Among the metals, zinc was the most ingested metal in all the brands. The ADD, HQ, and HI evaluations revealed that consuming the exposed water could lead to higher accumulation of Cr, Cd, Pb, As, and Ni in the body following exposure. The CR of Cr, As, and Ni after exposure to sunlight were > than the safe value (10–4), implying the likelihood of cancer after over 60 years. Microbial counts increased with the length of exposure, and all the isolates showed pathogenicity and multidrug resistance. The potential health risk inherent in sachet water after exposure to sunlight has significant health implications for consumers

Evaluation of Annona muricata extract against Staphylococcus aureus isolate and in-silico activity of bioactive compounds against Capsular protein (Cap5O)

Abstract Background Staphylococcus aureus has prevailed against the majority of antibiotics currently in clinical use, making it a significant global public health problem. As a safer alternative, bioactive compounds have been explored. Annona muricata has been shown to possess antimicrobial activity. However, there are few reports on the molecular activity of A. muricata bioactive compounds against S. aureus. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activity of its crude extract as well as investigating the potential of its bioactive compounds against the Cap5O capsular polysaccharides (CPS) of S. aureus via molecular docking. Methods Collection of plant leaves, preparation of extracts, anti-nutrient analysis, phytochemical screening via crude method and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS), isolation and characterization of S. aureus and the antimicrobial activity test were all done using standard protocols. Molecular docking was done using the MCULE online tool with emphasis on docking scores, toxicity, and other properties. Results Crude screening of the extracts showed the presence of polyphenols, hydroxyanthraquinones, reducing compounds, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, anthraquinones, phlobatannins and tannins in different concentrations. Anti-nutrient analysis showed the presence of allowable levels of evaluated anti-nutrients. GC-MS revealed a total of twenty-nine (29) bioactive compounds, out of which only 4 (13.80%) docked without toxicity and these were bicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one 6-methyl, trichloromethane, carbonic acid 2-dimethylaminoethyl propyl ester, and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazolidin-3-one on either the NAD-binding or C-terminal substrate binding domain of Cap5O. Conclusion Results obtained show that Cap5O could be a potential drug target for multi-drug resistant S. aureus, however, further studies aimed at evaluating these bioactive compounds individually and in combination are highly needed