Bioadsorption of 2,6-Dichlorophenol from Aqueous Solution onto Plantain and Pineapple Peels Mixture Used as Adsorbent: Optimization Studies Based on Taguchi Method, Batch Equilibrium, and Kinetic Modelling

The feasibility of using pineapple/plantain peels mixture to remove 2, 6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) from its aqueous solutions was investigated under batch mode. The effects of factors such as pH, initial 2, 6-DCP concentration, temperature and pineapple/plantain peels adsorbent ratio on the removal process were evaluated. Four factors and three levels according to Taguchi’s (L9) orthogonal array were used to assess and optimize the bioadsorption behaviour of pineapple/plantain peels mixture. Analysis of variance was applied to determine the significant factors that affect bioadsorption.  The levels of significant factors were optimized using Signal to Noise ratio. The results showed that bioadsorption of 2, 6-DCP was dependent on these factors. However, pH was the major factor that affects the percentage (%) removal of 2,6-DCP with its % contribution of 52.23. An optimum parameter combination for the maximum percentage removal of 2,6-DCP was obtained using the analysis of Signal to Noise (S/N) ratio. The best conditions for bioadsorption of 2,6-DCP were determined by the Taguchi method and desirability approach as pH = 7, initial 2,6-DCP concentration of 300 mg/l, temperature 50 °C, and pineapple/plantain adsorbent ratio of 2:1. The equilibrium bioadsorption data were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The Freundlich isotherm model provided the best fit (R2 = 0.9980) to the experimental data. The maximum monolayer bioadsorption capacity ( ) was found to be 76.92 mg/g. The bioadsorption kinetics data of 2, 6-DCP were analyzed by pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. The pseudo-second order kinetic model gave the best fit. Therefore, pineapple/plantain peel adsorbent mixture has potential for application as an effective bioadsorbent for 2, 6-DCP removal from aqueous solution. Keywords: Bioadsorption; Bioadsorption isotherms; Kinetics; Pineapple-Plantain peel mixture; 2, 6-Dichlorophenol; Taguchi method

Long-Run Relations Between the Financial Institutional Reforms and the Nigerian Manufacturing Performance (1970 - 2005)

This paper investigates the impact of financial institutional reforms on the manufacturing performance in Nigeria. Co-integration and Error Correction Model (ECM) techniques were used on annual time series covering the period between 1970 and 2005. It was observed that, in general the financial institutional reforms did not have a significant impact on the Nigerian manufacturing sector performance during the period under review. In particular financial reforms exhibited an insignificant relationship with the share of manufacturing in GDP

The Impact of Stock Market Development on Economic Growth in Nigeria

This study examines the impact of stock market development on economic growth between1970 and 2008. Co-integration Analysis and Error Correlation Mechanism were adopted as the estimating techniques to verify the existence of long-run relationship between stock market development and economic growth. Questionnaires were administered to access the investor’s confidence in the Nigerian stock exchange and to authenticate the impact of stock market development on economic growth in the period under review. The empirical results revealed that there is existence of long-run relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Nigeria. The findings also showed that there is positive relationship between market capitalization and money supply with economic growth while total value traded, turnover ratio and gross capital formation have inverse relationship with the growth. Market capitalization is highly significant and appears to be the major stock market indicator.  Based on these findings government should address the shortage of investment assets through effective policy measures that enhance the performance of stock market in Nigeria and to restore confidence of the investors. Keywords: stock market development, economic growth, Co-integration and Error Correction Framework and the use of descriptive survey typ

Experimental Optimization of Lead (II) Bioadsorption from Aqueous Solution onto Banana Stalk using Central Composite Design

This study investigated the effect of operating parameters on the bioadsorption process of Pb(II) from its aqueous solution using three Banana Stalk (BS) bioadsorbents [Raw (RBS), Acid Activated (AABS) and Base Activated (BABS) ]. A five-factor, three-level Central Composite Design (CCD) was applied to determine the effects of independent variables (initial metal concentration, contact time, temperature, adsorbent dosage and solution pH) on percentage Pb(II) removal. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the parameters in the experiment. AABS had the highest percentage removal (96.13%) from the preliminary experiment and was then used for the optimisation experiment. Data analysis showed that all the variables significantly affected the percentage Pb(II) removal at p < 0.05. The square of the adjusted coefficient of determination for regression model of percentage Pb(II) removal is 0.9355. Optimum percentage removal of 96.41% was obtained using AABS when the Pb(II) concentration, contact time, temperature, dosage and solution pH were 21.83g/mL, 152.21minutes, 50oC, 0.90g and 8.00,  respectively. There absolute error between the experimental and the predicted optimum percentage removal was less than 1%. Keywords: Banana stalk, optimization, bioadsorption, acid, base

Marital Satisfaction, Age And Alcohol Use During Pregnancy: An Empirical Study Of Pregnant Women In Uyo Metropolis, Nigeria

A convenient sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 110 pregnant women reporting for antenatal clinical checks in both private and public medical facilities in Uyo, Nigeria to investigate marital satisfaction and age as predictors of alcohol use during pregnancy. Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale was used in dichotomizing respondents into satisfied and dissatisfied pregnant women in marriage, while an item in Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) delineated our cohorts into users and non-users of alcohol. A 2x2 factorial design was adopted as regards the plan of the study while a 2-way analysis of variance was used for the analysis of data collected. Results confirmed the first hypothesis which predicted that pregnant women who are satisfied in their marriages would report less alcohol use than their dissatisfied counterparts {F (1, 104) = 4.70; p < .05}. Findings also confirmed our second hypothesis which stated that pregnant women who are younger would report more alcohol use than their elderly counterparts {F (5, 104) = 11.833; p, <.05}. Discussion of findings centered on the theories of learning which formed the nucleus of this paper and it was recommended that intervention would benefit from effective and affordable psychological counseling and treatment services for women exposed to harmful and/or hazardous alcohol use predicated by marital distress, violence, depression as well as those with limited coping skills

COMPARATIVES STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF WET AND DRY SUBSTRATES ON BIOGAS YIELD

The objective of this study is to compare the use ofwetanddry wastes as substrates for anaerobic digestion and its effect on biogas yield.Different quantities of substrates and co-substrates (wet and dried) were weighed and mixed vigorously with corresponding quantity of distilled water to form the fermentation slurry in the digesters; the digesters were operated at 45°C in batch anaerobic digesters for 25 days. The results showed that the average volume of biogas obtained from the dried animal wastes co-digested with dried fruit wastes and wet animal wastes co-digested with wet fruit wastes was found to be 0.2928 kg and 0.0972 kg per day respectively. When the fermentation process was performed with dried animal wastes only and wet animal wastes only the value of the average volume of biogas obtained were calculated to be 0.1508 and 0.0892 kg per day respectively. Thus biogas yield using dried substrates comparatively gave a better biogas yield than wet substrates. In conclusion, the use of dried wastes for biogas production suggests superior energy recovery, saving resources and engineering investment as compared to the use of wet wastes as substrates

Geochemical Appraisal of Termite-Reworked Clay Soils from Basement Complex Terrain: Implications as Landfill Liners

The geochemical and mineralogical assessment was prompted by the considerable presence of Termitaria overburden on the Basement Complex outcrops in southwest Nigeria with the goal of determining their suitability as landfill liners. The X-Ray Fluorescene (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction techniques were used to examine ten soil samples. Major oxides and mineralogical values were analysed to determine the effectiveness of soil engineering. Weathering indices and silica/sesquioxide ratios were also measured. The results of the mineralogical investigation showed that kaolinite clay mineral predominated, which is indicative of non-swelling qualities. The outcomes demonstrated that the soil is a true laterite as well as a lateritic soil. Fair carrying capacity was shown by the stability and shear resistance values of 47.15% and 48.11%, respectively. The weathering indices show severe weathering, high clay fraction, strong plasticity, and low hydraulic conductivity with an average of 95% and 0.59 weight percent, respectively. Additionally, the repackaging of the clay soils by termite activity produced greater interlocking and water film resistance. These characteristics make soils an excellent material for landfill liners due to their improved density and bearing capacity, resilience to chemical attack, and reconstructed structure. Keywords: Landfill liners. Termitaria, Kaolinite, Mineralogy and Geochemical Properties DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-8-03 Publication date:October 31st 202

Computational construction of a glycoprotein multi-epitope subunit vaccine candidate for old and new South-African SARS-CoV-2 virus strains

The discovery of a new SARS-CoV-2 virus strain in South Africa presents a major public health threat, therefore contributing to increased infections and transmission rates during the second wave of the global pandemic. This study lays the groundwork for the development of a novel subunit vaccine candidate from the circulating strains of South African SARS-CoV-2 and provides an understanding of the molecular epidemiological trend of the circulating strains. A total of 475 whole-genome nucleotide sequences from South Africa submitted between December 1, 2020 and February 15, 2021 available at the GISAID database were retrieved based on its size, coverage level and hosts. To obtain the distribution of the clades and lineages of South African SARS-CoV-2 circulating strains, the metadata of the sequence retrieved were subjected to an epidemiological analysis. There was a prediction of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), Helper T cells (HTL) and B-cell epitopes. Furthermore, there was allergenicity, antigenicity and toxicity predictions on the epitopes. The analysis of the physicochemical properties of the vaccine construct was performed; the secondary structure, tertiary structure and B-cell 3D conformational structure of the vaccine construct were predicted. Also, molecular binding simulations and dynamics simulations were adopted in the prediction of the vaccine construct’s stability and binding affinity with TLRs. Result obtained from the metadata analysis indicated lineage B.1.351 to be in higher circulation among various circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa and GH has the highest number of circulating clades. The construct of the novel vaccine was antigenic, non-allergenic and non-toxic. The Instability index (II) score and aliphatic index were estimated as 41.74 and 78.72 respectively. The computed half-life in mammalian reticulocytes was 4.4 h in vitro, for yeast and in E. coli was >20 h and >10 h in vivo respectively. The grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) score is estimated to be − 0.129, signifying the hydrophilic nature of the protein. The molecular docking indicates that the vaccine construct has a high binding affinity towards the TLRs with TLR 3 having the highest binding energy (− 1203.2kcal/mol) and TLR 9 with the lowest (− 1559.5kcal/mol). These results show that the vaccine construct is promising and should be evaluated using animal model

Antimicrobial activities and phytochemical properties of Annona muricata leaf

Annona muricata is a well-known economic and traditional plant of Nigeria. The study investigated the properties of constituents and antimicrobial activities of extracts of the leaf of A. muricata. The extracts were tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans by the agar well diffusion method at concentration of 20 mg/mL. The methanol (AM2) and ethyl acetate (AM4) extracts were characterized using UV and IR spectroscopy. The morphological structure of the A. muricata leaf was observed at a magnification of 20,000X using SEM and then subjected to EDX analysis. The results of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins and cardiac glycosides in the extracts. Anthraquinone was found absent. The ethyl acetate extract was found highly active against gram positive bacteria, S. aureus (ZI of 42 mm; AI = 1.31) and ampicillin resistant gram negative P. aeruginosa (ZI of 34 mm; AI = 1.13). The IR spectra of AM2 and AM4 extracts of A. muricata showed peaks at a frequency of 3377 cm-1 to 3440 cm-1 indicating the presence of a phenolic OH stretch. This supports the phenolics detected chemically. The UV spectrum of methanol extract showed peaks that are typical of flavonoids and phenolics.  The SEM revealed the sizes of the leaf particles as inhomogeneous. EDX results showed high oxygen concentration of 73.5 % and carbon concentration of 26.5 %.The findings proved the anti-infective potential of Annona muricata leaf and established physico-chemical markers for the active extracts