Evolving a Common Environmental Policy Framework in the South South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria.

This paper is simply a proposition for an ideal environmental policy tenable for a geographical entity that has a common environmental problem, cultural affinity and a unique socio-cultural and political background. The article x-rays some existing legal and institutional arrangements for environmental policy implementation in the area. It also proposes an environmental policy pathway which could be adopted to suit the different entities that make up the South South geopolitical zone. The paper finally provides a framework for a common environmental policy awareness and control in the area. Key words: Environment, Policy, Framework, Institution, Cycle

Structural Properties of Thermoluminescence Dosimeter Materials, Preparation, Application, and Adaptability: A Systematic Review

Thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) are widely used in radiation dosimetry due to their excellent properties, such as high sensitivity, small size, and ability to measure low doses of radiation. This review focuses on the structural properties of TLD materials, as well as their preparation, application, and adaptability. The review covers the various types of TLD materials, crystal structure, and properties, including energy response and fading characteristics. The different methods used to prepare TLD materials, such as solid-state synthesis, sol-gel synthesis, and solution growth methods, are discussed in detail. The review also includes a detailed discussion of the various applications of TLDs, including medical, environmental, and industrial radiation dosimetry. Extensive information on TLD is reviewed, and the TL characteristics that have a noticeable impact on the TL dosimetry potential for human and other purpose utilisation, such as mineral, oil, and gas resource investigation, can be done using natural and artificial TL signals. Information on TL measurement process requirements and the TL characteristics that have a noticeable impact on a compound TL dosimetry potential are also addressed. Finally, the review concludes by highlighting the adaptability of TLD materials to different dosimetry applications and their potential use in the future

Maternal and child health interventions in Nigeria: a systematic review of published studies from 1990 to 2014

BACKGROUND: Poor maternal and child health indicators have been reported in Nigeria since the 1990s. Many interventions have been instituted to reverse the trend and ensure that Nigeria is on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This systematic review aims at describing and indirectly measuring the effect of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) interventions implemented in Nigeria from 1990 to 2014. METHODS: PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge were searched from 1990 to April 2014 whereas POPLINE® was searched until 16 February 2015 to identify reports of interventions targeting Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Nigeria. Narrative and graphical synthesis was done by integrating the results of extracted studies with trends of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and under five mortality (U5MR) derived from a joint point regression analysis using Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data (1990-2013). This was supplemented by document analysis of policies, guidelines and strategies of the Federal Ministry of Health developed for Nigeria during the same period. RESULTS: We identified 66 eligible studies from 2,662 studies. Three interventions were deployed nationwide and the remainder at the regional level. Multiple study designs were employed in the enrolled studies: pre- and post-intervention or quasi-experimental (n = 40; 61%); clinical trials (n = 6;9%); cohort study or longitudinal evaluation (n = 3;5%); process/output/outcome evaluation (n = 17;26%). The national MMR shows a consistent reduction (Annual Percentage Change (APC) = -3.10%, 95% CI: -5.20 to -1.00 %) with marked decrease in the slope observed in the period with a cluster of published studies (2004-2014). Fifteen intervention studies specifically targeting under-five children were published during the 24 years of observation. A statistically insignificant downward trend in the U5MR was observed (APC = -1.25%, 95% CI: -4.70 to 2.40%) coinciding with publication of most of the studies and development of MNCH policies. CONCLUSIONS: The development of MNCH policies, implementation and publication of interventions corresponds with the downward trend of maternal and child mortality in Nigeria. This systematic review has also shown that more MNCH intervention research and publications of findings is required to generate local and relevant evidence

FORMATION WATER RESISTIVITY (RW) DETERMINATION: THE SP METHOD

Formation water resistivity represents the resistivity value of the water (uncontaminated by drilling mud) that saturates the porous formation. It is also referred to as connate water or interstitial water. Its resistivity can be determined by a number of methods, one of which is by the SP curve discussed in this work. Analysis of wire-line log data depends on the assumption that the only conductive medium in a formation is the pure water which supplies the energy and drive in reservoirs. So, physical properties of this formation water can be determined, one of which is its electrical resistivity and this eventually leads to water saturation determination – an important aspect of reservoir evaluation. This paper presents a review and comparative assessment of the graphical, vis-à-vis the calculative means of Rw determination by the SP method. @ JASE

FORMATION WATER RESISTIVITY (RW) DETERMINATION: THE SP METHOD

Formation water resistivity represents the resistivity value of the water (uncontaminated by drilling mud) that saturates the porous formation. It is also referred to as connate water or interstitial water. Its resistivity can be determined by a number of methods, one of which is by the SP curve discussed in this work. Analysis of wire-line log data depends on the assumption that the only conductive medium in a formation is the pure water which supplies the energy and drive in reservoirs. So, physical properties of this formation water can be determined, one of which is its electrical resistivity and this eventually leads to water saturation determination – an important aspect of reservoir evaluation. This paper presents a review and comparative assessment of the graphical, vis-à-vis the calculative means of Rw determination by the SP method. @ JASE

A Geochemical Survey of Groundwater in Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria

Fifteen groundwater samples from functional boreholes in Khana and Gokana areas of Rivers State were collected and analysed for various physico-chemical parameters using standard field and laboratory techniques. This was done to assess the suitability of the water for domestic and other purposes on the basis of the parameters studied. Results show the following mean values for the physical parameters: temperature, 24.8°C; Electrical Conductivity (EC), 15.9 ms/cm. For the chemical parameters, the following average concentration levels were obtained: pH 6.99; total iron, 0.04mg/l; magnesium 0.85mg/l; sodium, 0.89mg/l; and potassium 0.05mg/l. Others include bicarbonate, 8.19mg/l; chloride 32.52mg/l; sulphate, 0.92mg/l; nitrate, 0.82mg/l; and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), 7.73mg/l. These results show that the groundwater in these areas is slightly acidic to slightly basic, soft and low in dissolved constituents. Chloride contents in the water show salt-water encroachment into the aquifers in both areas. However, when compared with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for drinking water, the results show that the water is suitable for drinking and other domestic purposes in view of the parameters determined. It is also suitable for agricultural purposes. The major sources of ions in the water include mineral assemblages in the rocks, geochemical processes operating within the groundwater system, as well as atmospheric precipitation. Moreover, these geochemical processes, and exploitation of water from different depths are suggested as reasons for the variations in the geochemical parameters with borehole locations. @JASE

A Preliminary Evaluation of Otamiri River Sands for the Production of Plain Glass

Grain-size distribution and chemical analyses were carried out on four sand samples randomly taken from the bank of Otamiri River around Chokocho and Umuanyaga, Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State. This was done to assess the purity and suitability of the sands for the making of plain glass. Results of grain-size analysis show that 86% of the sand particles fall between 0.125mm and 1.2mm, which is within the ideal sand fraction range used for glass making. Chemical analysis shows the sand to contain more than 99% silica (SiO2), very low content of iron (0.0017 to 0.0039ppm), chromium (0.000022 to 0.000032ppm), titanium (0.049 to 0.066ppm) and calcium (0.000001 to 0.000003ppm). Others include Aluminium (0.00126 to0.0103ppm), potassium (0.0002 to 0.0042ppm), Magnesium (0.0001 to 0.0002ppm), and Sodium (0.005 to 0.038ppm). The concentration levels of these elements in the samples conform with internationally acceptable standards for glass production. @JASE

Associations between adolescent experiences of violence in Malawi and gender-based attitudes, internalizing, and externalizing behaviors

Little is known about adolescent exposure to and factors associated with violence in Malawi. The aim of this research was to describe the prevalence of exposure to violence among adolescents in Malawi, and test the hypotheses that such exposures are associated with genderbased violent attitudes, and with internalizing and externalizing problems. In 2014, 561 primary school pupils were interviewed (50% girls), and logistic regression analysis was performed on gender-stratified data, adjusting for sociodemographic differences. Both girls and boys had witnessed domestic violence (28.5% & 29.6%), experienced emotional abuse at home (23.1% & 22.9%), physical abuse at home (28.1% & 30.4%), physical abuse at school (42.4% & 36.4%), and been bullied (33.8% & 39.6%). Among girls, internalized violent attitudes towards women were associated with emotional abuse at home (OR 2.1) and physical abuse at school (OR 1.7). Condoning rape was associated with physical abuse at school (OR 1.9). Bullying perpetration was associated with emotional abuse at home (OR 4.5). Depression was associated with emotional abuse at home (OR 3.8) and physical abuse at school (OR 2.4). Among boys, violent attitudes towards women and condoning rape were not associated with violence exposure. Bullying perpetration was associated with having been a victim of bullying (OR 2.9) and physical abuse at school (OR 2.7). Depression was associated with emotional abuse at home (OR 2.9), domestic violence (OR 2.4) and physical abuse at school (OR 2.5). These findings can inform programs designed to reduce violence victimization among Malawian girls, both in homes and schools

Associations between adolescent experiences of violence in Malawi and gender-based attitudes, internalizing, and externalizing behaviors

Little is known about adolescent exposure to and factors associated with violence in Malawi. The aim of this research was to describe the prevalence of exposure to violence among adolescents in Malawi, and test the hypotheses that such exposures are associated with genderbased violent attitudes, and with internalizing and externalizing problems. In 2014, 561 primary school pupils were interviewed (50% girls), and logistic regression analysis was performed on gender-stratified data, adjusting for sociodemographic differences. Both girls and boys had witnessed domestic violence (28.5% and 29.6%), experienced emotional abuse at home (23.1% and 22.9%), physical abuse at home (28.1% and 30.4%), physical abuse at school (42.4% and 36.4%), and been bullied (33.8% and 39.6%). Among girls, internalized violent attitudes towards women were associated with emotional abuse at home (OR 2.1) and physical abuse at school (OR 1.7). Condoning rape was associated with physical abuse at school (OR 1.9). Bullying perpetration was associated with emotional abuse at home (OR 4.5). Depression was associated with emotional abuse at home (OR 3.8) and physical abuse at school (OR 2.4). Among boys, violent attitudes towards women and condoning rape were not associated with violence exposure. Bullying perpetration was associated with having been a victim of bullying (OR 2.9) and physical abuse at school (OR 2.7). Depression was associated with emotional abuse at home (OR 2.9), domestic violence (OR 2.4) and physical abuse at school (OR 2.5). These findings can inform programs designed to reduce violence victimization among Malawian girls, both in homes and schools

A Geochemical Survey of Groundwater in Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria

Fifteen groundwater samples from functional boreholes in Khana and Gokana areas of Rivers State were collected and analysed for various physico-chemical parameters using standard field and laboratory techniques. This was done to assess the suitability of the water for domestic and other purposes on the basis of the parameters studied. Results show the following mean values for the physical parameters: temperature, 24.80C; Electrical Conductivity (EC), 15.9m s/cm. For the chemical parameters, the following average concentration levels were obtained: pH 6.99; total iron, 0.04mg/l; magnesium 0.85mg/l; sodium, 0.89mg/l; and potassium 0.05mg/l. Others include bicarbonate, 8.19mg/l; chloride 32.52mg/l; sulphate, 0.92mg/l; nitrate, 0.82mg/l; and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), 7.73mg/l. These results show that the groundwater in these areas is slightly acidic to slightly basic, soft and low in dissolved constituents. Chloride contents in the water show salt-water encroachment into the aquifers in both areas. However, when compared with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for drinking water, the results show that the water is suitable for drinking and other domestic purposes in view of the parameters determined. It is also suitable for agricultural purposes. The major sources of ions in the water include mineral assemblages in the rocks, geochemical processes operating within the groundwater system, as well as atmospheric precipitation. Moreover, these geochemical processes, and exploitation of water from different depths are suggested as reasons for the variations in the geochemical parameters with borehole locations. (Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Management: 2002 6(1): 53-59