Using Geographic Information System to Select Suitable Landfill Sites For Megacities (Case Study of Lagos, Nigeria)

Proper landfill site selection is the fundamental step in sound waste disposal and the protection of the environment, publichealth and quality of life. Proper landfill site selection determines many of the subsequent steps in the landfill process,which, if properly implemented, should ensure against nuisances and adverse long-term effects. For example, a well-selectedlandfill site will generally facilitate an uncomplicated design and provide ample cover material, which would facilitate anenvironmentally and publicly acceptable operation at a reasonable cost. The criteria involved in landfill site selection includeenvironmental, economic and sociopolitical criteria, some of which may conflict. With increased environmental awareness,new legislation and certain other developments over time, the landfill site selection process has become much moresophisticated, as new procedures and tools have been developed (Ball, 2005). Increased environmental awareness anddeepening environmental concerns in recent years have forced attention on the need to move towards a more sustainablesociety. These changes in attitudes in many parts of the world have been supported by changes in laws and policies onenvironment and waste disposal. In this context, the pressures and requirements placed on decision makers dealing with landfill by government and society have increased, as they now have to make decisions taking into considerations publicsatisfaction, environmental safety and economic practicality. This situation has created a need for more consistent andobjective methods for making decisions; improved access to, and better management of environmental information. At theinternational level, criteria of differing degrees of detail exist as guidelines for the optimum siting of landfills (Baban andFlannagan, 1998). The role of Geographic Information Systems in solid waste management is very large as many aspects ofits planning and operations are highly dependent on spatial data. In general, Geographic Information Systems plays a keyrole in maintaining account data to facilitate collection operations; customer service; analyzing optimal locations for transferstations; planning routes for vehicles transporting waste from residential, commercial and industrial customers to transferstations and from transfer stations to landfills; locating new landfills and monitoring the landfill. Geographic informationsystem is a tool that not only reduces time and cost of the site selection, but also provide a digital data bank for futuremonitoring program of the site (Yagoub and Buyong, 2008). This research evaluates existing landfill sites in Lagos,establishes the need for new dumpsites and proposes candidate landfill sites, using Geographic information system as tooland World Bank standard of landfill sitting as criteria.Keywords - Social networks, threats, security, intrusion and attacks

Rising cases of rape offences in Nigeria: new measures to the rescue

Before now the offence of rape in Nigeria was an isolated incident. It occurred once in a while and when it did it was greeted with incredulity and surprise. However, despite the fact that the offence carries a life term imprisonment, it has now become a daily occurrence Nigeria. It seems that the law as it is, is incapable of deterring the naked and raw urge to subdue and abuse a woman. There exists a conspiracy of silence whenever the offence of rape is committed. It is this conspiracy of silence in relation to rape that this work seeks to unravel with a view to pointing out the areas where the law appears to be encouraging the offence.Key words: Rape, Rising Cases, New Measures, Penetration, Criminal Justice System, Tripo

Rethinking displacement and the protection of female asylum seekers in Nigeria

Displacement has over the years become one of the major causes of migration of persons en masse from one part of the world to another. The victims of the displacement are usually in dire need of legal protection which actually exists having been codified by various enactments but which is often times illusory. The procedure to follow before legal status is granted to persons seeking asylum in a host country is also cumbersome. This position is the same for men, women and children. However, due to the vulnerability of women and children, the consequences of displacement affect them differently. The study investigated the effects of displacement on women and their protection regime as asylum seekers. It mainly considered and appraised the adequacy or otherwise of the legal regime for the protection of female asylum seekers and victims of displacement.Keywords: displacement, asylum seekers, protection, migrants, immigrants, refugee

Religious freedom and its limitations under the 1999 constitution of Nigeria

This paper critically reviewed the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria on freedom of religion and its limitations as a result of the long history of religious  tensions Nigeria has witnessed particularly between the two major religious groups,  Christians and Muslims and as a result of the violence created constantly by the Boko Haram which desires to Islamize the country. It has caused many deaths, created  internally displaced people and a pall of anxiety all over the country. 250 Chibok girls still remain missing. The review was done with a view to finding the adequacy of the provision of the Constitution in guaranteeing freedom of religion. Insight was drawn  from international legal instrument on the subject. The finding is that the constitutional provisions are adequate in themselves for arresting religious extremism as they are in tandem with the provisions of many international legal instruments. However, the  repudiation of the supremacy of the Constitution by Islamic law withdraws the  commitment of many Muslims to the provisions of the Constitution on freedom of  religion. Internal reform is recommended for Muslims to bring Islamic law to accept the supremacy of the Constitution.Key words: Freedom of religion, limitations, 1999 Nigerian Constitution, Supremacy of Constitutio

Antiplasmodial and analgesic activities of Clausena anisata

AbstractObjectiveAntiplasmodial and analgesic activities of the leaf extract and fractions of Clausena anisata (C. anisata) were evaluated for antimalarial and analgesic activities.MethodsThe crude leaf extract (39–117 mg/kg) and fractions (chloroform and acqeous; 78 mg/kg) of C. anisata were investigated for antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) infections in mice using suppressive, prophylactic and curative models and analgesic activity against acetic acid, formalin and heat-induced pains. Artesunate, 5 mg/kg and pyrimethamine, 1.2 mg/kg were used as positive controls. Thin films made from tail blood of each mouse were used to assess the level of parasitaemia of the mice.ResultsThe extract and its fractions dose-dependently reduced parasitaemia induced by chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei in prophylactic, suppressive and curative models in mice. These reductions were statistically significant (P<0.001). They also improved the mean survival time (MST) from 17 to 21 days relative to control (P<0.01 − 0.001). On chemically and thermally-induced pains, the extract inhibited acetic acid and formalin-induced inflammation as well as hot plate-induced pain in mice. These inhibitions were statistically significant (P<0.001) and in a dose-dependent fashion.ConclusionsThe antiplasmodial and analgesic effects of this plant may in part be mediated through its chemical constituents and it can be concluded that the C. anisata possess significant antimalarial and analgesic properties

Structural basis for chemokine recognition and activation of a viral G protein-coupled receptor

Chemokines are small proteins that function as immune modulators through activation of chemokine G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). Several viruses also encode chemokines and chemokine receptors to subvert the host immune response. How protein ligands activate GPCRs remains unknown. We report the crystal structure at 2.9 angstrom resolution of the human cytomegalovirus GPCR US28 in complex with the chemokine domain of human CX3CL1 (fractalkine). The globular body of CX3CL1 is perched on top of the US28 extracellular vestibule, whereas its amino terminus projects into the central core of US28. The transmembrane helices of US28 adopt an active-state–like conformation. Atomic-level simulations suggest that the agonist-independent activity of US28 may be due to an amino acid network evolved in the viral GPCR to destabilize the receptor’s inactive state.Swiss National Science FoundationNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Pioneer Award)Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Researc

Soil microbial communities in diverse agroecosystems exposed to the herbicide glyphosate

© 2020 American Society for Microbiology. Despite glyphosate\u27s wide use for weed control in agriculture, questions remain about the herbicide\u27s effect on soil microbial communities. The existing scientific literature contains conflicting results, from no observable effect of glyphosate to the enrichment of agricultural pathogens such as Fusarium spp. We conducted a comprehensive field-based study to compare the microbial communities on the roots of plants that received a foliar application of glyphosate to adjacent plants that did not. The 2-year study was conducted in Beltsville, MD, and Stoneville, MS, with corn and soybean crops grown in a variety of organic and conventional farming systems. By sequencing environmental metabarcode amplicons, the prokaryotic and fungal communities were described, along with chemical and physical properties of the soil. Sections of corn and soybean roots were plated to screen for the presence of plant pathogens. Geography, farming system, and season were significant factors determining the composition of fungal and prokaryotic communities. Plots treated with glyphosate did not differ from untreated plots in overall microbial community composition after controlling for other factors. We did not detect an effect of glyphosate treatment on the relative abundance of organisms such as Fusarium spp

Emerging challenges in innate immunity: Staphylococcus aureus and healthcare-associated infection

Staphylococcus aureus, a prominent human pathogen, exhibits a remarkable ability to interact with host proteins involved in crucial physiological pathways, such as the complement system, coagulation cascade, and fibrinolysis cascade. This paper explores the ability of this notable bacteria to successfully manipulate and evade the host innate system, expatiating on the strategies that enhance its pathogenicity leading to implications on the healthcare system such as the propagation of diverse nosocomial infections. The investigation focuses on key S. aureus proteins, including Coagulase (Coa), von Willebrand factor-binding protein (vWbp), and Staphylokinase (SAK), which play pivotal roles in blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and evasion of host antibacterial peptides. Notably, these proteins contribute to the formation of fibrin networks, protecting the bacterium from immune clearance and promoting lethal bloodstream infections in murine models. Additionally, the debate surrounding the role of SAK as a critical virulence factor is addressed, emphasizing its impact on biofilm formation, invasion of internal organs, and bacterial loads in sepsis studies. Furthermore, the interaction of S. aureus with matrix metalloproteinases and the secretion of superantigen-like proteins (SSL1 and SSL5) are explored as additional mechanisms employed by the bacterium to impede immune responses. In addressing emerging challenges in innate immunity, the paper discusses the escalating antibiotic resistance in S. aureus, with a specific focus on methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) and its capacity to instigate healthcare-associated infections as an effect

Evaluation of Second National Fadama Development Project in Nigeria: A Rapid Policy Appraisal

The Second National Fadama Development Project was borne out of the need to ensure all year round agricultural production using available Fadama resources in Nigeria and also a follow – up to Fadama 1 that was adjudged successful. Its approach was Community Driven Development (CDD) with emphasis on social inclusiveness and empowerment of the rural people to take charge of their development agenda. The Project focused on increasing sustainably the incomes of Fadama Users via empowerment in terms of capacity building, advisory services, acquisition of productive assets and rural infrastructure development. As at mid – term, beneficiaries have increased their income by about 25%. So far, an estimated 2.3 million Fadama households have benefited from the expansion in incomes and wealth (asset) derived from the previously unavailable services provided by the project. The project had created about 126, 000 permanent jobs and an additional savings of more than $40.8 million have been realized by the majority of the participating states

Evaluation of Second National Fadama Development Project in Nigeria: A Rapid Policy Appraisal

The Second National Fadama Development Project was borne out of the need to ensure all year round agricultural production using available Fadama resources in Nigeria and also a follow – up to Fadama 1 that was adjudged successful. Its approach was Community Driven Development (CDD) with emphasis on social inclusiveness and empowerment of the rural people to take charge of their development agenda. The Project focused on increasing sustainably the incomes of Fadama Users via empowerment in terms of capacity building, advisory services, acquisition of productive assets and rural infrastructure development. As at mid – term, beneficiaries have increased their income by about 25%. So far, an estimated 2.3 million Fadama households have benefited from the expansion in incomes and wealth (asset) derived from the previously unavailable services provided by the project. The project had created about 126, 000 permanent jobs and an additional savings of more than $40.8 million have been realized by the majority of the participating states