Pedagogical Perspectives of the Philosophical and Grammatical Paradigms of the French Language

A ZBTE article on the Philosophical and Grammatical Paradigms of the French Language.This applied linguistic exposition, a non-empirical study, attempts to establish a logical relationship amongst certain characteristics of language phenomena, language needs and formal language assimilation. This has necessitated a skewed philosophical definition of what could be regarded as philosophical in language applicable to French studies at the tertiary level of education. Selected theoretical premises involving biological features are applied to potential language use directly applicable to French language form and behavior, academic disciplines and institutions; further attempt in our probe is made on how already acquired grammatical notions of advanced students of French could be expanded beyond the traditional confines of the usually dreaded normative grammar. The trealise rolls off with pedagogical reflections, in the light of earlier applied linguistic dialectics, involving a further definition of language needs in respect of advanced students, specifically the. scope, for functional linguistic assimilation with a view of perfecting French as a communication tool and as a medium of acquiring knowledge and studying other components of French studies in tertiary institutions

Synthesis of polyoxometalates for detailed solution reactivity studies

PhD ThesisNon-aqueous methodologies provide an opportunity to access a range of polyoxometalates that may not be stable in H2O and enable mechanistic studies into hydrolytic and protonation behaviours, which are fundamental to polyoxometalate chemistry. 17O-enriched (TBA)6[NaPW11O39] was prepared via an efficient non-aqueous route and shown to be a suitable precursor to [(L)MPW11O39]n- (M = Sn2+, Pb2+, Bi3+, Sb3+, Sn4+, Ti4+) for detailed systematic studies. Reactions were monitored by 31P NMR while products were characterised by FT-IR, multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C, 17O, 31P, 119Sn, 183W and 207Pb), solid state NMR, ESI-MS, CHN microanalysis, UV-Vis and/or single crystal XRD. Using this approach, the readily-hydrolysable tin derivatives, (TBA)4[(CH3O)SnPW11O39] and (TBA)8[(μ-O)(SnPW11O39)2] were prepared for the first time and the previously reported (TBA)4[(HO)TiPW11O39] was shown to be stable in DMSO for up to 3 months possibly due to interaction between HO- and DMSO. As a result of the more ionic character of Sn—OCH3 bond compared with Ti—OCH3, (TBA)4[(CH3O)SnPW11O39] was observed to hydrolyse faster than (TBA)4[(CH3O)TiPW11O39] whereas (TBA)4[ClTiPW11O39] with a large excess of H2O hydrolysed more readily than (TBA)4[ClSnPW11O39]. Although (TBA)4[(HO)TiPW11O39] underwent condensation to (TBA)8[(μ-O)(TiPW11O39)2] easily in acetonitrile at room temperature, this reaction only occured for (TBA)4[(HO)SnPW11O39] at elevated temperature (~120oC) in the presence of a water-scavenging agent such as N, N’-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC). These experimental observations were consistent with DFT calculations on the energetics of the hydrolysis and condensation of (TBA)4[(CH3O)SnPW11O39] and (TBA)4[(CH3O)TiPW11O39]. Protonation studies on the 17O-enriched POMs provided insights into protonation of the MOW sites in (TBA)4[(CH3O)TiPW11O39], (TBA)4[ClMIVPW11O39] (M = Sn, Ti), (TBA)5[MIIPW11O39] (M = Sn, Pb) and (TBA)4[MIIIPW11O39] (M = Sb, Bi) and protonation at both TiOW and TiOTi sites in (TBA)8[(μ-O)(TiPW11O39)2] whilst reactions between (TBA)8[(μ-O)(TiPW11O39)2] and electrophiles indicated possible formation of adducts. Treatment of (TBA)4[(L)SnPW11O39] (L = Cl, HO) with NaBH4 resulted in reduction of the tin heteroatom only whereas reaction between (TBA)5[SnIIPW11O39] and halogens (Br2 and I2) or the molybdate (TBA)3[PMo12O40] showed oxidation of tin (II). Electrochemical studies in acetonitrile revealed no redox processes associated with the heterometals in (TBA)4[(L)SnIVPW11O39] and (TBA)5[PbIIPW11O39] while redox waves assigned to Sn2+/Sn4+ were observed for Abstract ii (TBA)5[SnIIPW11O39] within the potential range studied. Finally, attempts to prepare Lindqvist-type derivatives, [(L)MW5O18]n- (M = Co2+, Mo2+, Sn2+, Pb2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Cr3+, Sb3+, Bi3+) from a tungstate precursor prepared by hydrolysis of a 3:2 mixture of (TBA)2WO4 and WO(OMe)4 provided evidence that only in certain cases were the required heterometalates formed. Acetonitrile hydrolysis was observed under reaction conditions and the acetamide adduct (TBA)3[{CH3C(O)NH2}CoW5O17(OMe)] was characterised crystallographically. An attempt to prepare [(L)MoIIW5O18]4- produced the crystallographically characterised, one-electron reduced (TBA)3[W6O19].Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC):, Sokoto State University: COST Action CM1203: The Royal Society of Chemistry

Immobilization of Polyoxometalate-Ionic Liquid on Coconut Shell Nanoporous Carbon Support: An Improved Material for Water Purification

Access to clean water by all is one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve this, there is need to prepare sustainable materials for efficient water purification. This research aims to immobilize the Polyoxomatelate-Ionic Liquid (POM-IL), {[CH3(CH2)6]4N}7[α-PW11O39] on nanoporous carbon (NC) prepared from coconut shell to form an advanced material (POM-IL@NC) for effective removal of multiple contaminants from polluted water. The POM-IL@NC material was characterized by Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The material was then tested respectively for the removal of copper and lead using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and methylene blue using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy from simulated polluted waters via adsorption. The material was further subjected to antimicrobial analysis. The results showed that the POM-IL@NC material performed better than the pristine NC in the removal of copper, lead and methylene blue from the contaminated water. The POM-IL@NC also exhibited significant improvement in antimicrobial activity than NC against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This shows that the new material could effectively be applied for multiple contaminants treatment of polluted water

Long-Term Asymmetric Impact of VAT on Domestic Investment in Nigeria

We employ a non-linear ARDL (NARDL) technique to explore long-term asymmetric influence of value added tax (VAT) on domestic investment using quarterly data for Nigeria from 1994 to 2021. A long-term relation was found between domestic investment and VAT (alongside lending and inflation rates, credit to private sector, exchange rate, openness and households’ consumption expenditure) based on the bounds test to cointegration. We uncovered a long-term asymmetric association between domestic investment and VAT. The results show that a positive shock (an increase) in VAT has a long-term decrease and significant influence on domestic investment, while a negative shock (a decrease) in VAT has an insignificant positive influence on investment during the long-term. Other significant long-term drivers of domestic investment are credit to private sector, inflation and lending rates, openness, exchange rate and households’ consumption expenditure. Some recommendations have been offered based on the empirical outcomes

Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Starch from Christ Thorn Seeds

Starch was extracted from seeds of Christ Thorn by hot water extraction method. The composition and physicochemical properties of the extracted starch were determined using standard methods. The results obtained from the analyses revealed that the % yield of starch was 43.2%, while moisture content, ash content, starch protein and starch lipid were 7.8%, 0.01%, 0.12% and 0.32% respectively. The results also showed amylose content of 24.6%; swelling power of 37.5g/g, solubility of 2.1%, amylose leaching of 3.7% and gelatinization temperature of 68oC. From the results, the paper concludes that with minor modifications, the seeds can be used as alternative sources of starch for industrial products

The use of plants in the traditional management of diabetes in Nigeria: Pharmacological and toxicological considerations

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The prevalence of diabetes is on a steady increase worldwide and it is now identified as one of the main threats to human health in the 21st century. In Nigeria, the use of herbal medicine alone or alongside prescription drugs for its management is quite common. We hereby carry out a review of medicinal plants traditionally used for diabetes management in Nigeria. Based on the available evidence on the species׳ pharmacology and safety, we highlight ways in which their therapeutic potential can be properly harnessed for possible integration into the country׳s healthcare system. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical information was obtained from a literature search of electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Pubmed and Scopus up to 2013 for publications on medicinal plants used in diabetes management, in which the place of use and/or sample collection was identified as Nigeria. ‘Diabetes’ and ‘Nigeria’ were used as keywords for the primary searches; and then ‘Plant name – accepted or synonyms’, ‘Constituents’, ‘Drug interaction’ and/or ‘Toxicity’ for the secondary searches. Results: The hypoglycemic effect of over a hundred out of the 115 plants reviewed in this paper is backed by preclinical experimental evidence, either in vivo or in vitro. One-third of the plants have been studied for their mechanism of action, while isolation of the bioactive constituent(s) has been accomplished for twenty three plants. Some plants showed specific organ toxicity, mostly nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic, with direct effects on the levels of some liver function enzymes. Twenty eight plants have been identified as in vitro modulators of P-glycoprotein and/or one or more of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, while eleven plants altered the levels of phase 2 metabolic enzymes, chiefly glutathione, with the potential to alter the pharmacokinetics of co-administered drugs. Conclusion: This review, therefore, provides a useful resource to enable a thorough assessment of the profile of plants used in diabetes management so as to ensure a more rational use. By anticipating potential toxicities or possible herb–drug interactions, significant risks which would otherwise represent a burden on the country׳s healthcare system can be avoided

Matriarchal Primogeniture: A Comparative Study of Islamic and Afenmai Systems of Inheritance since the 1860s

This article explores the nexus between matrimony, matriarchy and inheritance in Afenmailand using a comparative paradigm of traditional and Islamic perspectives. It examines factors that shaped systems of inheritance and succession among Afenmai people and emphasizes the role of polygamy in the decision-making process. It also highlights the inherent weaknesses in the two systems. By exploring related conceptual and definitional issues involved in inheritance, the article points out the difference between the traditional system of inheritance and that based on Islam, and concludes on the note that local peculiarities have affected both systems of inheritance in Afenmailand since the 1860s. It argues the case for an equitable sharing system that would consider the interest of all relevant stakeholders in the estate of the deceased instead of the current matriarchal primogeniture that excludes the wives of the deceased, the sons other than the first born as well as the daughters

Effects of calcination temperature and solution pH on the defluoridation potential of Al/Fe oxide-modified diatomaceous earth: metal leaching and sorbent reuse

An evaluation of the effects of calcination temperature and solution pH on the fluoride removal capacity of Al/Fe oxide-modified diatomaceous earth was carried out. The sorbent was observed to be most effective and stable within the pH range 6.70–8.12, where the lowest concentrations of Al and Fe (<1 mg/L) in treated water were recorded. Thus, sorbent loss was minimal at that pH range. It was observed that the sorbent lost its efficiency and stability at calcination temperatures above 600 WC. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer analysis of metals in supernatants and thermogravimetric analysis of the sorbent showed that there was substantive loss of Al and Fe from the sorbent at temperatures above 600 WC because of evaporation. K2SO4 solution proved to be the best regenerant for spent sorbent compared to NaOH and Na2CO3, which caused sorbent loss owing to high solution pH. The CO2 3 from Na2CO3 bound to regenerated sorbent so much that it could not be displaced by fluoride during subsequent defluoridation experiments. Sorbent regenerated with 0.1 M K2SO4 solution could reduce 10 mg/L fluoride in artificial water at a dosage of 0.8 g/100 mL by 81.8% and 67.2% at the second and third cycles, respectively