7 research outputs found
EXPOSING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY INADEQUATE LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS AS WELL AS POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
Get PDFThe saying "leaders are born, not made" is frequently used to describe leaders especially those whose contributions stick in people's memories! So, who exactly is a leader? In essence, the ability to bring about the change one wants to see in their organization makes one a leader. Nowadays, a CEO of a business isn't always a leader. Conversely, someone possesses a set of competencies that further an organization's goals and objectives. An inadequate skill of a leader regarding management and guidance within a team or the business environment is referred to as poor leadership. There are several ways in which this can show up, including stating unclear objectives, inadequate communication among team members, a lack of accountability and transparency, and a lack of team member support to actualize results. An ineffective leadership may affect a team's ability to accomplish goals and objectives since it breeds mistrust and disdain for the leader. A widely acknowledged concept of leadership remains elusive despite extensive research. It is stated by Talat et al. (2015) that "there are almost as many definitions of leadership as there are people who have attempted to define the concept." Examples of these definitions include the ones that follow; leadership is a broad process that requires authority, accountability, and power delegation, according to Talat et al. (2015). Employees are followers of leaders in an organization, who need their assistance to enable them to achieve their own and the company's goals and objectives. This creates a win-win situation if managed properly. Hence, leadership styles encompass all facets of interacting inside and outside a company, managing or resolving problems, assisting and directing employees to do their jobs, and setting an example for others to follow and infuse. Article visualizations
Total and bio-accessible toxic metals in low-cost children toys sold in major markets in Ibadan, South West Nigeria
No full textToxic metals are usually added to children's toys to improve/impact some intrinsic properties such as colour which attracts children. Some of the toxic metals have life-threatening potentials on children when ingested. There is no specific legislation in Nigeria that monitors and regulates limits of such metals in toys. This study assessed total and bio-accessible concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Mn in imported low-cost children's plastic toys sold in popular markets in Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 22 different toys were purchased and subjected to an indicative test for the presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) following the Beilstein method as well as analysing for total recoverable metals and migrated fractions into simulated saliva and gastric environments. Toy samples were crushed, ashed, and dissolved with dilute nitric acid for total recoverable metals while migration studies were carried out using simulated saliva and gastric environments to check bio-accessible fractions that could leach into the human system. Metals in all extracts were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique. The indicative PVC test showed 12 samples positive to PVC and 10 tested negative. Total recoverable metal concentrations (mg/kg) ranged as follows: Pb: Below Detection Limit (BDL) - 4838, Cd: BDL - 44.9, Cr: 0.331–79.8, Ni: 0.273–59.1 and Mn: 0.205–31.0 with Pb and Cr having 18 and 14% of samples higher than EU limits of 90 and 60 mg/kg. Bio-accessible concentrations in artificial saliva were: Pb: BDL - 42.4, Cd: BDL-0.450, Ni: BDL-1.40 and Mn: BDL-0.058 with Pb higher in 70% of samples compared to 2.0 mg/kg migrated EU limit while other metals were within the limits. Furthermore, metal concentrations that migrated to gastric environment were: Pb: 8.24–50.3, Cd: BDL-0.057, Ni: 0.103–1.96 and Mn: BDL-1.37 with Pb in 100% of samples higher than 2.0 mg/kg EU migrated limit. Chromium migration in both environments was BDL. The results of this study suggest that toxic metal contents are present in both PVC and non-PVC made toys, but higher in PVC containing toys. Though the calculated hazard index for health risk assessment of heavy metals was < 1 for all metals, Pb concentration in both total recoverable extract and saliva and gastric environments seem to be problematic and constant monitoring and regulation are required
A Review on the Application of Isotopic Techniques to Trace Groundwater Pollution Sources within Developing Countries
No full textOwing to a lack of efficient solid waste management (SWM) systems, groundwater in most developing countries is found to be contaminated and tends to pose significant environmental health risks. This review paper proffers guidelines on the application of isotopic techniques to trace groundwater pollution sources from data spanning from 2010 to 2020 within developing countries. Earlier groundwater studies in those countries were mainly focused on using hydrochemical and geophysical techniques. The limitation of these techniques is that they can only monitor the concentration of pollutants in the water bodies and possible leachate infiltration but cannot determine the specific sources of the pollution. Stable isotopes of δ18O, δ2H and δ13C can confirm leachate migration to water bodies due to methanogenesis. The high tritium in landfill leachates is useful to identify leachate percolation in groundwater. The δ15N technique has been used to distinguish between synthetic and organic nitrogen sources but its application is limited to differentiating between atmospheric vs. inorganic nitrogen sources. The use of a dual isotope of δ15N–NO3− and δ18O–NO3− is beneficial in terms of identifying various sources of nitrogen such as atmospheric and inorganic fertilizers but is yet to be used to differentiate between nitrogen pollution sources from dumpsites, sewage and animal manure. The coupling of the 11B isotope with δ15N–NO3− and δ18O–NO3− and other hydrochemical parameters has proven to be effective in distinguishing between nitrate fertilizer, animal manure, seawater contamination and sewage. Therefore, in areas affected by agricultural activities, landfill leachates, domestic or sewage effluent and seawater intrusion, it is incumbent to couple hydrochemical (Cl−, NO3−, B, DO) and isotope techniques (δ18O, 2H, δ13C, δ18O–NO3−, δ15N–NO3−, δ11B and 3H) to effectively determine pollution sources of groundwater in developing countries. The foregoing review will provide guidelines for studies that may aim to critically distinguish between seawater intrusion, dumpsites, sewage and septic leachates
A Review on the Application of Isotopic Techniques to Trace Groundwater Pollution Sources within Developing Countries
No full textOwing to a lack of efficient solid waste management (SWM) systems, groundwater in most developing countries is found to be contaminated and tends to pose significant environmental health risks. This review paper proffers guidelines on the application of isotopic techniques to trace groundwater pollution sources from data spanning from 2010 to 2020 within developing countries. Earlier groundwater studies in those countries were mainly focused on using hydrochemical and geophysical techniques. The limitation of these techniques is that they can only monitor the concentration of pollutants in the water bodies and possible leachate infiltration but cannot determine the specific sources of the pollution. Stable isotopes of δ18O, δ2H and δ13C can confirm leachate migration to water bodies due to methanogenesis. The high tritium in landfill leachates is useful to identify leachate percolation in groundwater. The δ15N technique has been used to distinguish between synthetic and organic nitrogen sources but its application is limited to differentiating between atmospheric vs. inorganic nitrogen sources. The use of a dual isotope of δ15N–NO3− and δ18O–NO3− is beneficial in terms of identifying various sources of nitrogen such as atmospheric and inorganic fertilizers but is yet to be used to differentiate between nitrogen pollution sources from dumpsites, sewage and animal manure. The coupling of the 11B isotope with δ15N–NO3− and δ18O–NO3− and other hydrochemical parameters has proven to be effective in distinguishing between nitrate fertilizer, animal manure, seawater contamination and sewage. Therefore, in areas affected by agricultural activities, landfill leachates, domestic or sewage effluent and seawater intrusion, it is incumbent to couple hydrochemical (Cl−, NO3−, B, DO) and isotope techniques (δ18O, 2H, δ13C, δ18O–NO3−, δ15N–NO3−, δ11B and 3H) to effectively determine pollution sources of groundwater in developing countries. The foregoing review will provide guidelines for studies that may aim to critically distinguish between seawater intrusion, dumpsites, sewage and septic leachates
ASSESSING EMPLOYEES' MOTIVATION IN TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN SIERRA LEONE: INSTITUTION OF ADVANCED MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY (IAMTECH) AND NJALA UNIVERSITY (NU), SIERRA LEONE
Get PDFEmployee motivation is a key element that subsequently achieve organizational blueprint in modern day of organizational operations. On this ground, the researchers assess employees' motivation in tertiary educational institutions in Sierra Leone. It covers the Institute of Advanced Management and Technology (IAMTECH) and its affiliate institution, Njala University (NU). Differences were drawn between these two institutions, as IAMTECH is private and NU public. Motivation is necessary for effective and efficient organizational dynamism such as room for growth, development, health work environment, feeling of belonging, and achievement of organizational objectives. Motivated employees dedicate their energies and skills to their jobs, thereby implementing and attaining the organizational policies and blueprints. This enhances workplace ethics and accelerates employee motivation and performance in tertiary educational institutions in Sierra Leone. It clearly states that motivation is not only giving financial incentives and rewards, but also makes employees' feel as if they are part of the organization success. It is evident in the research that, applying effective employees' motivation either moral or financial helps achieve organizational objectives in both public and private sectors in Sierra Leone. However, there are some constrains in achieving the ultimate goal of the research, as most heads and decision makers in these institutions lack the required skills to motivate employees' performance in this 19th century culturally society in the west coast of Africa. Therefore, the researchers created room for more innovative techniques that will definitely yield maximal employees' motivation in tertiary educational institutions in Sierra Leone. Â Article visualizations
