Environmental Sensitivity Index Mapping and Assessment of Gully Erosion Sites in Anambra State –Nigeria.

This research focuses on the environmental sensitivity index mapping and assessment of gully erosion sites in Anambra State. It was motivated by the increasing destruction of lives and properties in Anambra State through gully erosion menace and the need to identify the geographical locations and magnitude of these sites in addition to factors responsible with a view to proffer solutions. It pursues map production as a way to visually display the locations of these gully sites. Gully sites in Anambra States were identified through literature and field investigations. Geographic positioning system (GPS map 78) equipment was employed to obtain the coordinates of the sites. Digital camera was used to take photographs of identified sites. Factors responsible for the gully formations were obtained through literature and field investigations. The coordinates of the gully sites were plotted on the geo-referenced map of Anambra State to indicate the geographic locations of the sites. The gully sites were categorized into four using: (i) depth of the gully site, (ii) length of the gully, and (iii) level of destruction of lives and properties so far, as criteria. Results obtained showed that there are 166 gully sites in Anambra State, categorized into (i) Most severely, (ii) severely, (iii) moderately, and (iv) slightly gully sites. It identified both natural and anthropogenic factors such as nature of the landscape, soil, rocks and surface water; demographic factors, bad control measures and poor appreciation of erosion problems among others as being responsible for gully erosion menace in Anambra State. The research recommends tree planting campaigns, control of soil and sheet erosion early enough, development control measures and environmental education among others as solutions to gully erosion problems in the State. Keywords: Gully erosion, Erosion, Environmentally Sensitive Areas, Index mapping, Anambra State map

LEADERSHIP QUESTION AND THE CHALLENGES OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

It is disheartening that despite efforts and resources put in transforming the rural communities in Nigeria, they have continued to remain underdeveloped. Several approaches, among which is community development, have been adopted to improve the lives of the people, all to no avail. This paper on leadership question and the challenges of community development in Nigeria examines why these communities have continued to remain poor. The methodology adopted is analytical discussion of library materials. The paper examines what community development entails, and the leadership challenges that have undermined its effective roles in rural transformation and community development in Nigeria. It observes that leadership is fraught with many challenges that have impinged on its efforts at transforming the rural communities despite their abundant human and material resources. It looks at those factors that have blurred the visions of leadership in community development. The development of the resources could leap frog the communities as foundations for development of national economies and integration to global markets. Having examined the exigencies of genuine and critical knowledge leadership, the paper recommends among others, that leadership for community development be development-oriented, shun corruption, be transparent and accountable; development assistance agencies and government to re-examine the internal and external factors militating against rural transformation; and the structural policies of development to be re-evaluated to examine why they have not achieved targets

LEADERSHIP QUESTION AND THE CHALLENGES OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

It is disheartening that despite efforts and resources put in transforming the rural communities in Nigeria, they have continued to remain underdeveloped. Several approaches, among which is community development, have been adopted to improve the lives of the people, all to no avail. This paper on leadership question and the challenges of community development in Nigeria examines why these communities have continued to remain poor. The methodology adopted is analytical discussion of library materials. The paper examines what community development entails, and the leadership challenges that have undermined its effective roles in rural transformation and community development in Nigeria. It observes that leadership is fraught with many challenges that have impinged on its efforts at transforming the rural communities despite their abundant human and material resources. It looks at those factors that have blurred the visions of leadership in community development. The development of the resources could leap frog the communities as foundations for development of national economies and integration to global markets. Having examined the exigencies of genuine and critical knowledge leadership, the paper recommends among others, that leadership for community development be development-oriented, shun corruption, be transparent and accountable; development assistance agencies and government to re-examine the internal and external factors militating against rural transformation; and the structural policies of development to be re-evaluated to examine why they have not achieved targets

PPLICATION OF TRICKLING FILTER WITH HYBRID BIOFILM SUPPORT MEDIA IN THE TREATMENT OF PETROLEUM EFFLUENT

The use of biological trickling filter (TF) system in the treatment of petroleum effluent using Luffa cylindrica-polystyrene hybrid as biofilm support medium for microbiological growth was evaluated. The efficiency of the treatment process was measured in terms of turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD5). The TF was set up with Luffa cylindrica-polystyrene hybrid biofilm support. The pilot scale trickling system was performed at an ambient temperature and the effluent from the system was measured for turbidity, COD and BOD5. The result showed that the turbidity of the effluent was reduced to 94 % at a hydraulic retention time of 6 hrs. The COD was also reduced from 327-26 mg/l at 6 hrs. representing 92 % reduction in the COD value. The results obtained also showed that the TF achieved 78 % reduction in BOD5.Therefore, the biological trickling filter treatment process appears to be a promising wastewater treatment method for petroleum effluent with respect to the turbidity, COD and BOD5 remova

A Review of Landscape Design as a Means of Controlling Gully Erosion

Gully erosion is the most visible and devastating form of soil erosion known to be one of the leading causes of land degradation worldwide. Landscape design is one of the techniques used in combating this problem. The objective of this paper is to review the use of landscape design in controlling gully erosion. The method used is a review of academic articles, conference papers, internet materials, textbooks and publicly available materials on landscape design and gully erosion. The results of this study indicated that previous authors whose works were reviewed have a convergent view that the use of vegetative approach, an aspect to landscape design, must be practiced for effective control of gullies. On the other hand, however, previous authors have divergent views on the use of structural approach, another aspect to landscape design, for control of gully erosion. Recommendations of this study include: (1) planting of a combination of woody trees and grasses; (2) use of some locally accessible structures for example, sieve structures; and (3) practise of agroforestry

Acquired resistance to oxaliplatin is not directly associated with increased resistance to DNA damage in SK-N-ASrOXALI4000, a newly established oxaliplatin-resistant sub-line of the neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-AS

The formation of acquired drug resistance is a major reason for the failure of anti-cancer therapies after initial response. Here, we introduce a novel model of acquired oxaliplatin resistance, a sub-line of the non-MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-AS that was adapted to growth in the presence of 4000 ng/mL oxaliplatin (SK-N-ASrOXALI4000). SK-N-ASrOXALI4000 cells displayed enhanced chromosomal aberrations compared to SK-N-AS, as indicated by 24-chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridisation. Moreover, SK-N-ASrOXALI4000 cells were resistant not only to oxaliplatin but also to the two other commonly used anti-cancer platinum agents cisplatin and carboplatin. SK-N-ASrOXALI4000 cells exhibited a stable resistance phenotype that was not affected by culturing the cells for 10 weeks in the absence of oxaliplatin. Interestingly, SK-N-ASrOXALI4000 cells showed no cross resistance to gemcitabine and increased sensitivity to doxorubicin and UVC radiation, alternative treatments that like platinum drugs target DNA integrity. Notably, UVC-induced DNA damage is thought to be predominantly repaired by nucleotide excision repair and nucleotide excision repair has been described as the main oxaliplatin-induced DNA damage repair system. SK-N-ASrOXALI4000 cells were also more sensitive to lysis by influenza A virus, a candidate for oncolytic therapy, than SK-N-AS cells. In conclusion, we introduce a novel oxaliplatin resistance model. The oxaliplatin resistance mechanisms in SK-N-ASrOXALI4000 cells appear to be complex and not to directly depend on enhanced DNA repair capacity. Models of oxaliplatin resistance are of particular relevance since research on platinum drugs has so far predominantly focused on cisplatin and carboplatin

A year of genomic surveillance reveals how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic unfolded in Africa

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The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Next Generation Nanochitosan Applications in Animal Husbandry, Aquaculture and Food Conservation

Studies have identified the properties of enzymes, functionalized molecules, and compounds in food industry applications as edible coatings and encapsulations, that assure prolonged food quality and standards. These molecules present benefits of longer shelf-life by delayed deterioration and inhibition of the proliferation of spoilage and mycotoxigenic microorganisms. However, challenges of reduced nutrient levels, miniaturized size, and low chemical stability remain concerning. Chitosan polymers naturally formed from the deacetylation of shellfish shells and exoskeletons of aquatic arthropods and crustaceans offer improved benefits when functionalized into nanoparticles as nanochitosans. These polysaccharides produced by the alkalescent deacetylation of chitin, comprise a series of 2-deoxy-2 (acetylamino) glucose linked by ß-(1- 4) glycosidic linkages. This chapter considers the health impacts and microbiological health hazards associated with animal feeds quality and the enzyme immobilization potentials of nanochitosans in animalbased food and feed packages. Thereafter, nanochitosan properties and benefits are compared against traditional preservatives from microbes and plants; with highlights on current challenges in the application of nanochitosan for enzyme immobilization

Utilization of nanochitosan in the sterilization of ponds and water treatment for aquaculture

Water pollution constitutes the leading cause of infant mortality, neonatal deformities, and shrinkage of man’s average life expectancy. Pollutants come from point and nonpoint sources; and water pollution arises from the discharge of wastewater containing undesirable impurities used for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. More so, high nutrient and wastewater runoffs from fish production systems contribute to the fouling and eutrophication of recipient water bodies. Hence, aquaculture which is inextricably linked to the natural environment is challenged by the dearth of appropriate water quantity and quality, militating against fish, and fishery production. Nanochitosans as polysaccharides produced by the alkalescent deacetylation of chitin, comprise a series of 2-deoxy-2 (acetylamino) glucose linked by ß-(1-4) glycosidic linkages. They are naturally formed from the deacetylation of shellfish shells and exoskeletons of aquatic arthropods and crustaceans. The unique attributes of chitin confer a wide range of biotechnological applications on the polymer, observed in flocculation as a wastewater treatment and purification route initiated by chitosan. This chapter highlights nanochitosan properties of aquaculture relevance; and elucidates the purification potentials of nanochitosan, compared to inorganic coagulants and organic polymeric flocculants. Effects of chitosan on contaminants and microorganisms, as well as applications in fish pathogens detection, fish disease diagnosis, and control are discussed