Sorghum Waste as an Efficient Adsorbent for the Removal of Zn2+and Cu2+ from Aqueous Medium

In order to offer green solution to the removal of heavy metal ion from aqueous medium, sorghum waste was found to be effective for the removal of Cu2+ and Zn2+ metal ions from aqueous solutions. The result obtained shows that the extent of metal ion removed increases with increasing contact time, increasing adsorbent doses and increasing metal ion concentrations. Different adsorption models including the Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich were used, to described the adsorption characteristics of sorghum waste for Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions. The extent of interaction was established through the values of their respective adsorption constant. The kinetic of the adsorption process best fitted the pseudo second order kinetic model. Functional groups linked to the adsorbent before and after adsorption experiments were identified through FTIR analysis and they were found to differ for the different metal ions. The adsorption of these metal ions from aqueous solution was consistent with the mechanism of physical adsorption. Sorghum waste was found to be an excellent adsorbent for Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions in aqueous environmen

Corruption and Economic Development in Nigeria: A Materialistic Observation

The paper seeks to examine the effects of corruption on economic development in Nigeria. It highlights theprobable root – causes of corruption, and the likely factors that give vent to its exacerbation in the Nigerianeconomy. The paper examines the apparent machinery through which corruption impairs economic developmentin Nigeria. To meaningfully curb corruption in Nigeria, a selfless, disciplined, and visionary leadership isinevitable. The Nigerian judicial system should make the courts to, indeed, function as “courts of justice”, andallow the law to be practically “blind” in its operations. More so, Nigeria’s mode of production should changefrom the one (the present), which engenders and supports income inequality among the people to the onecharacterized by equity and justice in the distribution of national output. For without which, anti – corruptionstrategies adopted in Nigeria will have very little or no effect, and corruption will not attenuate, but rather it willaccentuate. And the yearning for meaningful economic development in Nigeria will aptly be equated with theyearning for hair by the lizard

Mercury accumulation in fishes from tropical aquatic ecosystems in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Fishes are important biomarkers of trace elements in aquatic ecosystems, and are used to evaluate the status of water pollution by mercury in tropical aquatic ecosystems in Nigeria. Common fishes, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus,Brycinus nurse, Hemichromis fasciatus, Lutianus ava, Oreochromis nilotica, Pomadasys jubelini, Stellifer stellifer and Tilapia guineensis were analysed for Hg accumulation using the cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The results showed that Hg concentration in P. jubelini was relatively the highest, with a mean concentration of 0.063 ± 0.03 mg kg–1. Other concentration values were 0.044 ± 0.031 mg kg–1 for O. nilotica, 0.026 ± 0.013 mg kg–1 for B. nurse, 0.034 ± 0.034 mg kg–1 for H. fasciatus, 0.023 ± 0.020 mg kg–1 for C. nigrodigitatus and 0.33 ± 0.016 mg kg–1 for L. ava. Concentrations of Hg accumulated by the fishes were low and within internationally accepted limit, not likely to cause mercury poisoning. Because of the high Hg accumulating potential of P. jubelini, it is recommended as a biomarker for assessment of Hg toxicity in a tropical aquatic environment

Economic Integration among the Less Developed Countries: Myth and the New International Realities

The increasing  interdependence among nations of the world in the 21st Century implies that no nation of the world is self-sustaining or capable of living in complete isolation from the rest of the world. Nation states, thus, integrate their economies regionally or globally  with the expectation of  achieving greater economic growth. This paper evaluates economic       integration among the Less Developed Countries (LDCs) using the Customs Union Theory and Structuralist paradigm as analytical framework. The paper identifies stages or levels of economic integration and discusses obstacles to integration among LDCs. The paper argues that despite efforts by LDCs to integrate, economic integration remains somewhat unrealistic due, largely, to complicated array of problems and opportunities. The eventual realignment of national economies in the increasingly borderless economy will turn some of the LDCs into big emerging markets – a precondition for economic integration

Comparative egg production analysis of isa brown laying strain raised in three poultry farms in a tropical environment

Data from egg production records involving a total of 1,208 intensively-managed Isa-brown laying strain obtained from three poultry Farms A, B and C located in Calabar Municipality were used for this study. Percent henday production was computed for a period ranging from point-of-lay, 24 weeks of age (Farms A and C) and 20 weeks of age (Farms B). The 40 weeks in-lay for the three farms, was further sub-divided into four discrete production (10- weekly) phases (weeks 1-10; 11-20; 21-30; 31-40) in each of the farms. Maximum hen-day production was obtained as follows: Farm A (70.40% in week 18); Farm B (85.50% in week 20) and Farm C (79.30% in week 25). The percentage hen/day production pattern were fitted into two regression models namely – the simple linear model andexponential function using the age-in-lay as the predictor variable and percentage Hen-day production as the dependent variable. Irrespective of the function used, the rate of increase in percentage egg production was highest within the first quarter (1-10 week) of production in each farm. As the production phase lengthened, the predicted rate of increase in production declined and the predictive ability of the simple linear model as judged by the R2 value became comparatively lower when compared to exponential function. The egg production pattern revealed a period of rapidly increasing production, attainment of peak, and the phase of a gradual declining production. Based on these findings, partitioning the laying period into phases could be a step forward in explaining the concept of phase feeding in which layers are fed at different protein levels at different phases based on their level of production

Inflation Targeting Framework for Monetary Policy in Nigeria: Issues, Problems And Prospects.

Over the years, Nigeria has adopted different monetary policy regimes with limited or no success. These ranged from exchange rate targeting, direct monetary controls to monetary targeting. The overall objectives of monetary policy have been the maintenance of macroeconomic stability and non-inflationary growth. In line with the global trend, Nigeria navigated towards adoption of Inflation Targeting monetary framework. But recent policy indication shows that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have soft-pedaled in the pursuit of full-fledged Inflation Targeting  for the country. This paper attempted to critically analyze the basic issues, problems and prospects germane to the adoption of Inflation Targeting as a monetary policy framework for Nigeria. To do this, the paper examined the basic features and performances of inflation targeting countries globally,  adduced that Inflation Targeting is not “a cure-all medicine” and that it may not significantly reduce the real costs of disinflation in Nigeria in terms of a decline in output and an  increase in unemployment. For Nigeria, the extent of the success of Inflation Targeting, if and when adopted, will crucially depend on the availability of executive capacity, quality and timely data and the political will and commitment to the success of the programme on the part of monetary authorities. KEY WORDS: Inflation Targeting, Policy consistency, monetary authoritie

Assessment of the Toxic Effect of Mixed Effluents from Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout on Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) in Okrika River, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

The toxic effect of the mixed effluent (industrial, domestic and municipal) discharged into Okrika River on Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was assessed. Tilapia samples were collected at about 500 meters from point of entry of mixed effluent into the River (downstream) and about 1.5 kilometers from the point of entry of mixed effluent into the River (upstream) while Tilapia from a fish pond affiliated to Rivers State Sustainable Development Authority (RSSDA) was used as control. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity were assayed in the liver homogenate. Alanine amino transferase, ALT; Alanine aspartate transferase, AST and Alkaline phosphatase, ALP were investigated in the fish blood serum. Histopathologic section of the liver was also examined. Results showed that liver MDA concentration increased significantly (p<0.05) in downstream samples (2.45 ± 0.77 to 6.09 ± 1.57nm/mg tissue) with no significant change in upstream liver MDA.   Also, the Hepatic GST was significantly increased in downstream (5.59 ± 1.09 to 16.80 ± 0.71 IU/L) as well as significant decrease upstream (5.59 ± 1.09 to 3.65 ± 1.48 IU/L) in comparison with the control.  ALT, AST, ALP activities in the exposed fish serum showed marked increases downstream (ALT: 99.8 ± 3.5 IU/L; AST: 277.02 ± 39.8 IU/L; ALP: 40.38 ± 11.4 IU/L) at P<0.05 when compared to the control (ALT: 77.8 ± 14.3 IU/L; AST: 150.8 ± 50.7 IU/L; ALP: 15.34 ± 5.6 IU/L). Histology of the liver showed vacuolar degeneration, focal areas of necrosis and aggregation of inflammatory cells between the hepatocytes. This study elucidates negative biochemical changes on the metabolism of the fish due to the presence of mixed effluent in the River. Keywords: Toxicity, Histopatology, Tilapia, Effluent and Glutathione S-transferas

Effect of canine hyperimmune plasma on TNFα and inflammatory cell levels in a lipopolysaccharide-mediated rat air pouch model of inflammation

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of canine hyperimmune frozen plasma (HFP), which is known to contain elevated levels of soluble TNFα receptor 1 (sTNFR1), on TNFα and inflammatory cell levels in a LPS-mediated rat air pouch model of inflammation. There appears to be a correlation between elevated levels of sTNFR1 and depression of TNFα and neutrophil levels in the pouch fluid of HFP dosed rats (r = -0.73, P < 0.0001). The data suggest that canine HFP, which has been demonstrated to contain elevated levels of sTNFR1 compared with FFP, has a direct effect on depressing TNFα levels and neutrophil sequestration in the rat air pouch model of inflammation. These data suggest that HFP may be worthy of further investigation to determine whether such preparations have a therapeutic potential for treatment of acute inflammatory diseases in which TNFα is implicated

Phytochemistry, antibacterial and anticoagulase activities of Sida acuta against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

oai:journals.ansfoundation.org:article/20The phytochemical, antibacterial and anticoagulase activities of Sida acuta against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The phytochemistry of the plant leaves revealed that S. acuta is laden with antioxidative compounds with remarkable concentrations of saponins (0.772 mg/100g), flavonoids (0.112 mg/100g), alkaloids (0.076 mg/100g) and tannins (0.0541mg/100g). Their presence conferred a strong bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus SS-1VC, Staph. aureus SS-2VM, Staph. aureus SS-3SW, Staph aureus SS-4OM, Staph. aureus SS-5BC Staph. aureus SS-6AF and Staph. aureus SS-7DS isolated from vaginal candidiosis, vaginal mycosis, septic wound, otitis media, buccal cavity, athletes foot and diarrheic stool respectively. Majority of the bacterium strains screened were sensitive to aqueous and methanol extracts of S. acuta leaves. All the strains were inhibited by the aqueous extract, but more susceptible were strains SS-2VM isolated from vaginal mycoses and SS-3SW from septic wound, which recorded 25mm and 24mm diameter of inhibition zones respectively, after treatment with 8.0mg/ml of the extract. However, much lower concentration (0.5mg/ml) of the extract was required to halt coagulase activity in both strains. The methanol leaf extract exhibited similar but stronger antibacterial and anticoagulase activities against the clinical isolates of Staph. aureus. Marked antibacterial inhibitory effects were observed against most strains tested but SS-6AF and SS-7DS (which exhibited comparatively lower susceptibility), with majority of the strains losing theiranticoagulase producing potential at concentrations as low as 0.5mg/ml of alcoholic extract. The strong anticoagulase activity of S.acuta, and it’s efficacy in inhibiting coagulase elaboration by Staph aureus especially Staph. aureus SS3SW isolated from septic wound forms the basis of it’s use in folk medicine for wound treatment

Government Agricultural Credit Policy and Macroeconomic Fundamentals: a case study of Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) in Nigeria

The study established the relationship between amount of loan guaranteed by the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) and some key macroeconomic variables in Nigeria. Augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root test and improved ADF-GLS unit root test conducted on the specified time series showed that all series were integrated of order one. The short-run and long-run elasticities of amount of loan guaranteed by ACGSF with respect to some key macro-economic fundamentals were determined using the techniques of co-integration and error correction models. The empirical results revealed that in the long run, the coefficients of interest rate charged by commercial banks and value of oil revenue has a significant negative and positive relationship respectively with the amount of loan guaranteed by the ACGSF in the country. Whereas in the short run, the coefficients of the previous amount of loan guaranteed and value of oil revenue as well as the real GDP has a positive association with the current amount of loan guaranteed by ACGSF while the external debt has a negative association. The results were further substantiated by the variance decomposition and impulse response analysis of the dependent variable with respect to changes in the explanatory variables. The findings call for appropriate short and long term economic policy packages that should focused on the stabilization of the identified significant macroeconomic shifters of amount of loan guaranteed by ACGSF in the country. Special attention should be given to the interest charged on agricultural loan by participating banks. Also, diversification of the country’s economy and drastic reduction in external debt would boost the operation of ACGSF in the country and enhances credit availability to Nigerian farmers. Keywords: Credit, policy, macroeconomic, external debt, interest rate, ACGSF, Nigeri