Sorption kinetics and intraparticulate diffusivities of Cd, Pb and Zn ions on maize cob

The kinetics of sorption and intraparticulate diffusivities of Zn, Cd and Pb using maize cob was studied. The amount of the metal ions adsorbed increased with time. The highest sorption rates of the three metal ions were 71% for Z2+, 32% for Cd2+, and 30% for Pb2+. The fractional attainment of equilibrium showed that Zn2+ reached equilibrium before Pb2+ ion and then Cd2+ ion. This study showed that the sorption of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions on maize cob is particle diffusion controlled. The rate coefficients for particle diffusion were 0.07 min-1 for Zn2+, 0.053min-1 for Pb2+ and 0.081min-1 for Cd2+.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (6), pp. 509-512, 200

Morphological, phytochemical and molecular characterization of five common Jatropha species in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

The economic and medicinal important genus Jatropha contains many distinctly different species. To elucidate the genetic relationship of five common occurring Jatropha species namely J. multifida, J. podagrica, J.tanjorernsis, J. curcas, and J. gossypifolia, thirty-nine morphological, six phytochemical features and one arbitrary marker was used to screen and explore their similarity. Morphological data was obtained from the measurement of vegetative and reproductive parts while the presence of five phytochemicals was determined using differentphytochemical tests. The DNA of all five Jatropha species were amplified and sequenced using Ribolose 1, 5- biphosphate carboxylase molecular marker. The DNA sequences were then aligned using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for nucleotide 2.8.0 version of the National Center for Biotechnology Information database and phylogenetic trees were constructed using Paleontological Statistical software and Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis version 7.0.26 software. From the results of the classical and phylogenetic cluster analysis, the five Jatropha species was separated into two major clusters. The highly distinctive J. gossypifolia was the only species that clustered separately from the other Jatropha species. Although, J. tanjorensis has been reported to be a hybrid from J. curcas and J. gossypifolia, the species did not segregate and cluster with these species, but segregated with J. multifida, and J.podagrica, indicating that this species is more closely related to J. multifida, and J. podagrica than J. curcas and J.gossypifolia. The result therefore provide information that would be useful in the plant improvement programs for the genus Jatropha

Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity Screening of Chloroform Leaves Extract of Man-To-Man (Peperomia pellucida) Harvested from Umunomo Ihitteafoukwu in Imo State, South Eastern Nigeria

Peperomia pellucida commonly called man-to-man or pepper elder is a plant of immense medicinal value and used in the treatment of different ailments such as abdominal pain, abscess, acne, boils colic rhematic joint pain and also consumed as vegetable. This study was conducted to investigate the preliminary and quantitative phytochemical properties of Peperomia pellucida. The results obtained revealed the presence of alkaloids (2.49±0.02), phenols (0.05±0.01), flavonoids (0.59±0.01), saponins (0.64 ± 0.02), tannins (0.08± 0.01) with alkaloid registering the highest presence. Peperomia pellucida leaves extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity at minimum and maximum concentrations of 2.0 and 12.0mg/ml respectively (compared to the ascorbic acid used as the free scavenger). The antibacterial result also showed that P. pellucida extract inhibited the growth of the test organisms, with the highest growth inhibition against Escherichia Coli and the lowest growth inhibition against Bacillus Cereus. The antimicrobial properties indicate the potential usefulness of this plant in the treatment of various pathogenic diseases which in future can be developed as a potential antimicrobial agent used in the treatment of infectious diseases

Efficient Queue Management in Supermarkets: A Case Study of Makurdi Town, Nigeria

Waiting lines or queues are a common phenomenon in life, especially in the province of organizations that are for profit making. Queues are common in such places as petrol or filling stations, supermarkets stores, clinics, hospitals, motor parks, manufacturing firms, to mention a but a few. An interesting aspect of queuing process resides in the measures of its system’s performance, especially in terms of average service rate, systems, utilization and the costs implied for a given capacity level. This paper examines efficient queue management in Nigeria with Makurdi as case study. The “M/M/I” model is applied owing, inter alia, to its relative simplicity as well as its relevance to the firms under-studied: the City Company, Nobis Ltd, Dobbiac and Eke Ltd; particularly the service unit of each of the firms.  The analysis reveals that on the aggregate, queue management in Makurdi town, the  capital of Benue State is grossly inadequate, inefficient and ineffective for the most part. The paper has consequently made suggestions to help mitigate the prevailing queuing problems in Makurdi town, which will be relevant to many cities in developing countries having similar challenges. Keywords: Queue Management, Supermarkets, Nigeri

Effective Human Resource Management As Tool For Organizational Success

Human Resource is a very important input in the production matrix.. Other seven inputs include materials, money, time, energy, knowledge, information and infrastructure. These inputs are transformed by the process to get the output with feedback and control. It is also an input of the Leontief’s model. In this model, there are three elements, namely; inputs, transform and output,all of which need human resource to galvanize them to be productive. Management involves the design and provision of an environment within groups and organizations so that the individuals and the groups and organizations can achieve their objectives by utilizing both human and material resources. Human resource management is one of the functional areas of management. The others are finance, marketing, production, research and development and innovation. Human resource management consists of personnel management, industrial relations management and employee welfare management. So the early founders of production management are also the founders of human resource management such are Rountria, Robert Owen, and Henry Fayol. Today, most organizations prefer to use the term human resource management to designate such funsctions  as recruitment, section, placement, induction, orientation, training and development, wage administration and motivation. Today, human resource management has become very important as a tool for organizational success. For an organization to succeed, it has to first of all breakeven, when total revenue equals total cost and even to have units produce beyond breakeven point as well as survive and still perform well. To perform well, it has to achieve its objectives and goals. It has to satisfy the demands of stakeholders and staff and the regulatory authorities.  It is against this background that this study undertakes a theoretical review of human resource management as a tool for organizational success. Keywords: Human Resource Management, Organizational Success, Managemen

Building Blocks of Successful Strategy Implementation and Execution in the Management of Organisations

The importance of building blocks of successful strategy in the perception and management of organizations and how the strategies are implemented and executed are the issues of concern in this paper. The distinctive features of an effective strategy were identified. The advantages of having a strategy driven budget and resource allocation were identified.     The conclusion is reached that there is need for effective implementation of strategy in order to achieve the vision of the organization. No matter how good a strategy is, if not well implemented and executed, the desired goals and vision will not be realized

Human Resource Management, International Labour Standards and Globalization

Human resource is one of the eight inputs of the systems cybernetic model. The other inputs are materials, money, time, energy, knowledge, information and infrastructure. These inputs are transformed by the process to get the output with feedback and control. The human resource is considered as the most important resource even in automated systems. There is a need to have the human element to trigger production. This is because all other inputs are inert. Management has the responsibility to ensure that organizational objectives and goals are achieved by utilizing both human and material resources. Human resource management is that aspect of management that handles the management of people at work. It is a very important managerial function just like production, finance, marketing, research and development and innovation. It handles such activities like recruitment, selection, placement, orientation, induction, training and development, wage administration, industrial relations management and employee welfare management and motivation. There are many international benchmarks that are needed for effective human resource management. This study therefore undertakes a review of human resource management within the context of international labour standards and globalization. Keywords: Human Resource Management, Labour Standards, Globalizatio

An Empirical Investigation into the Performance Management Practices of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Southern Nigeria

This paper seeks to assess whether current performance management practices yield effective results and compare performance management practices in Nigerian firms to best practices. Data were collected from nine hundred and ninety three (993) manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The Yamane’s statistical formula was employed for sample size determination. 285 copies of questionnaire were distributed to various managing directors of these firms who were strategically placed to provide data for a proper evaluation of performance management practices of the sampled organizations. Using frequency tables, Chi- square (X) statistic and Z-test one sample Kolmognov-Smirmov test, the study reveals that current performance management practices in Nigeria delivers effective results, but did not conform to best practices. Based on the findings, the paper submits that leaders and top management of these manufacturing firms should continue to apply performance management strategies including training and development programmes in a positive manner in order to enhance productivity amongst employees. Keywords: Empirical Investigation, Performance Management, Manufacturing Firms

Examining the Effect of E-Commerce on Business Performance in A Business Environment

In this exercise, the effects tof electronic commerce in the light of business to business transaction are examined. Our assessments result in the development of four propositions regarding the impact of electronic commerce on business performance. Our propositions link the adoption of electronic commerce through information flow and speed of decision making to business performance. From these propositions, we have suggested a model of the impact of electronic commerce adoption on business performance, the benefit of the buyers, the suppliers and the customers. The model implies a mediated link between electronic commerce and business performance. It is our view that the adoption of this model will enhance business activity and its overall performance. Keywords: E-Commerce, Business Performance, Environmen

The Effect of Human Resource Management Policies and Practices on Organizational Performance in Selected Tertiary Health Institutions Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examined the effect of recruitment and selection, training and development policies and practices on tertiary health institutions performance. The study became necessary due to the perceived poor implementation of human resource management policies and practices in tertiary health institutions. Specifically, the study was designed to examine the effect of recruitment and selection practices, training and development on University of Calabar Teaching Hospital’s performance. Literature review was based on the selected variables for the study. Two research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Taro-Yamane’s (1967) estimation equation was adopted to determine sample size for the study. Questionnaire survey was used as instrument for data collection while descriptive statistics was used to determine their frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Also, simple linear regression model was adopted for data analysis and test of hypotheses at 0.05 significant levels using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20. The result of the analysis revealed statistical significant relationship between the three studied variables and tertiary health institutions performance. Based on the above findings, it was concluded that, the quality of employee hired, type of training and motivation given determine performance in tertiary health institutions. Sequel to the above, it was recommended among others that regular and relevant training programmes such as information and communication technology, overseas job related seminars, conferences on current health management issues etc. for both medical and non medical personnel be carried out in order to put employees’ at par with  their counterparts  on  global best practices, provide adequate working facilities, ensure regular payments of salaries, arrears, overtime, good hazard / call duty allowance and regular staff promotion that would make workers’ carry out their duties effectively towards efficiency and growth of tertiary health institutions in Cross River State Keywords: Human Resource, Management, Policies, Practices and Organisational Performance