Chemostratigraphic and Paleoclimatic Studies of Cloverly Formation, Northern Wyoming, U.S.A

The Early – Late Cretaceous transition in Western North America recorded a period of rapid climatic and tectonic change in Earth’s history. Major climate events associated with large igneous province eruptions caused several instances of ocean anoxic events (OAE) and perturbations to the global carbon (C) – cycle. These perturbations to the global C-cycle are observed in the bulk organic C record of both marine and terrestrial deposits and can be used to correlate units across major depositional basins. Major efforts are being made to generate time-constrained palaeontologic and paleoclimate information from the North American Cordilleran foreland basin and C-isotope chemostratigraphy can aid in making these correlations. This study uses the isotopic composition of bulk organic carbon from the Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation to constrain the age of the Cloverly Formation within the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. The study also investigates paleoclimate proxies such as mean annual precipitation and atmospheric CO2 concentrations. C-isotope chemostratigraphy of bulk organic carbon results range between -21‰ and -30.1‰ and average at -23.97 ‰. Two pedogenic carbonates nodules from the Little Sheep Member (CCC-12 and CCC-24) were analyzed for δ13Corg, δ13Ccarb, and δ18Ocarb. The Little Sheep Mudstone Member carbonate nodules have average δ13Ccarb values of -6.72 ‰ at CCC-12 and -7.25 ‰ at CCC-24. The mudstone organic C isotopic values of the carbonate nodules are -26.27 ‰ for CCC-12, and -25.9 ‰ for CCC-24. The S(z) values (soil CO2 concentration) were estimated to be between 1000 – 3000 ppm, typical of micro-high vertic soils. Atmospheric pCO2 concentrations are calculated using the paleosol CO2 paleobarometer of Ekart et al. (1999) and are reported at S(z) = 2000 ± 1000 ppm. Atmospheric C-isotopic composition of pCO2 is estimated using the δ13C of bulk organic C in mudstones and the relationship between plant matter and pCO2 outlined in Arens et al. (2000). Atmospheric pCO2 values at 4 m above the Pryor Conglomerate, 14.5 m above the Cloverly-Morrison lithologic boundary are 352 ± 176 ppm and increase to 931 ± 465 ppm at 18.5 m. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) was calculated from weathering indices of metal oxides in soils using CALMAG and CIA-K equations. MAP increases up section from a minimum of 697- 984 mm/yr in the LSM to a maximum of 1291-1705 mm/yr in the Upper Himes Member. Given the maximum depositional age of the base of the Little Sheep Mudstone Member (129.4 ± 3.4 Ma) from D’Emic et al. (2019), a maximum depositional age for the lower Himes Member at Crooked Creek of 103.6 ± 1.3 Ma (D’Emic et al., 2019), the maximum depositional age of 112.09 ± 0.34 Ma (Carrano et al., 2021) from other Little Sheep Mudstone outcrops, and the high resolution C-isotope chemostratigraphic trend of the Crooked Creek Section (this study) constrains the positive C-isotope trend and decreasing (negative CIE) trend to the C-10 to C-11 C-isotope excursions associated with the CIE of Bralower et al. (1999) that occurs in the Late Aptian to Early Albian

Chemostratigraphic and Paleoclimatic Studies of Cloverly Formation, Northern Wyoming, U.S.A

The Early – Late Cretaceous transition in Western North America recorded a period of rapid climatic and tectonic change in Earth’s history. Major climate events associated with large igneous province eruptions caused several instances of ocean anoxic events (OAE) and perturbations to the global carbon (C) – cycle. These perturbations to the global C-cycle are observed in the bulk organic C record of both marine and terrestrial deposits and can be used to correlate units across major depositional basins. Major efforts are being made to generate time-constrained palaeontologic and paleoclimate information from the North American Cordilleran foreland basin and C-isotope chemostratigraphy can aid in making these correlations. This study uses the isotopic composition of bulk organic carbon from the Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation to constrain the age of the Cloverly Formation within the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. The study also investigates paleoclimate proxies such as mean annual precipitation and atmospheric CO2 concentrations. C-isotope chemostratigraphy of bulk organic carbon results range between -21‰ and -30.1‰ and average at -23.97 ‰. Two pedogenic carbonates nodules from the Little Sheep Member (CCC-12 and CCC-24) were analyzed for δ13Corg, δ13Ccarb, and δ18Ocarb. The Little Sheep Mudstone Member carbonate nodules have average δ13Ccarb values of -6.72 ‰ at CCC-12 and -7.25 ‰ at CCC-24. The mudstone organic C isotopic values of the carbonate nodules are -26.27 ‰ for CCC-12, and -25.9 ‰ for CCC-24. The S(z) values (soil CO2 concentration) were estimated to be between 1000 – 3000 ppm, typical of micro-high vertic soils. Atmospheric pCO2 concentrations are calculated using the paleosol CO2 paleobarometer of Ekart et al. (1999) and are reported at S(z) = 2000 ± 1000 ppm. Atmospheric C-isotopic composition of pCO2 is estimated using the δ13C of bulk organic C in mudstones and the relationship between plant matter and pCO2 outlined in Arens et al. (2000). Atmospheric pCO2 values at 4 m above the Pryor Conglomerate, 14.5 m above the Cloverly-Morrison lithologic boundary are 352 ± 176 ppm and increase to 931 ± 465 ppm at 18.5 m. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) was calculated from weathering indices of metal oxides in soils using CALMAG and CIA-K equations. MAP increases up section from a minimum of 697- 984 mm/yr in the LSM to a maximum of 1291-1705 mm/yr in the Upper Himes Member. Given the maximum depositional age of the base of the Little Sheep Mudstone Member (129.4 ± 3.4 Ma) from D’Emic et al. (2019), a maximum depositional age for the lower Himes Member at Crooked Creek of 103.6 ± 1.3 Ma (D’Emic et al., 2019), the maximum depositional age of 112.09 ± 0.34 Ma (Carrano et al., 2021) from other Little Sheep Mudstone outcrops, and the high resolution C-isotope chemostratigraphic trend of the Crooked Creek Section (this study) constrains the positive C-isotope trend and decreasing (negative CIE) trend to the C-10 to C-11 C-isotope excursions associated with the CIE of Bralower et al. (1999) that occurs in the Late Aptian to Early Albian

DOES ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION MATTER IN THE CULTIVATION OF BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS?

open access journalThis study examines whether or not entrepreneurial education can predict business entrepreneurial intentions and social entrepreneurial intentions. This research draws primarily from the analysis of survey data of collegiate students as well as relevant literature in the field. In addition to entrepreneurial education, the effect of gender on entrepreneurial intentions was also examined. Results of this analysis can be used to foster increased entrepreneurial activities within the collegiate community

Prenatal care coverage and correlates of HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa: insight from demographic and health surveys of 16 countries

Background: Prenatal screening of pregnant women for HIV is central to eliminating mother-to-childtransmission (MTCT) of HIV. While some countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have scaled up their prevention of MTCT programmes, ensuring a near-universal prenatal care HIV testing, and recording a significant reduction in new infection among children, several others have poor outcomes due to inadequate testing. We conducted a multi-country analysis of demographic and health surveys (DHS) to assess the coverage of HIV testing during pregnancy and also examine the factors associated with uptake. Methods: We analysed data of 64,933 women from 16 SSA countries with recent DHS datasets (2015-2018) using Stata version 16. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were used to examine correlates of prenatal care uptake of HIV testing. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Progress in scaling up of prenatal care HIV testing was uneven across SSA, with only 6.1% of pregnant women tested in Chad compared to 98.1% in Rwanda. While inequality in access to HIV testing among pregnant women is pervasive in most SSA countries and particularly in West and Central Africa sub-regions, a few countries, including Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia have managed to eliminate wealth and rural-urban inequalities in access to prenatal care HIV testing. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the between countries and sub-regional disparities in prenatal care uptake of HIV testing in SSA. Even though no country has universal coverage of prenatal care HIV testing, East and Southern African regions have made remarkable progress towards ensuring no pregnant woman is left untested. However, the West and Central Africa regions had low coverage of prenatal care testing, with the rich and well educated having better access to testing, while the poor rarely tested. Addressing the inequitable access and coverage of HIV testing among pregnant women is vital in these sub-regions

DECOLONIZING MANAGEMENT AND LEADING CHANGE THROUGH AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY

open access journalAfrica currently operates and manages her affairs with and from a colonial perspective, in business, politics, and education. Living everyday life through a colonial lens has stunted growth and innovation because instead of using her strengths, which is leading with African management philosophy, Africa continues to operate with a Western framework, that is a system where the toxic influence and effects of coloniality continues to permeate African political institutions, the education system and culture. The authors advocate for a return to indigenous management philosophy, to ensure success and long-term sustainability. This paper sheds light on a historical background of African societies prior to the destruction of her cultures and institutions by slavery and colonialism. The authors offer key differences between African and Western approaches to show why the Western system has failed Africa. Lastly, the authors offer a framework for policy formulation in the form of propositions

Methanol Extract of Peltophorum pterocarpum Stem Bark Has Antimalarial Activity and Normalizes Biochemical Changes Induced by Plasmodium berghei Infection

This study evaluated the antimalarial, haematological and biochemical status of Plasmodium berghei Anka 65-infected mice treated with methanol extract of Peltophorum pterocarpum stem bark (MEPT). The acute toxicity profile and phyto-constituents were also evaluated. Thirty mice were divided into 6 groups of 5 mice each. Group 1 served as normal control and received distilled water only. Group 2 was parasitized and untreated. Groups 3-5 were parasitized and treated with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.w. body weight of MEPT respectively. Group 6 was parasitized and treated with 28 mg/kg. b.w. of arthemeter/lumenfantrin combination. Malaria parasitemia were monitored on treatment days 0-3. Antioxidant, liver, kidney and lipid peroxidation status were determined using classical methods 5 days post-treatment. There were dose-dependent reductions in malaria parasitemia percentages of groups 3-5 that are comparable with group 6. In addition, there were dose and duration-dependent increases in malaria chemo-suppression in groups 3-5. The existence of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and kidney and liver dysfunctions were observed in group 2 when compared with group 1. Treatment of groups 3-5 with MEPT and group 6 with arthemeter/lumenfantrin for 4 days restored the biochemical anomalies induced by malaria. The extract was tolerable up to 5,000 mg/kg b.w. of MEPT. The presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, carotenoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, terpenoids and anthocyanins were detected in high amounts while phenols was detected in low amount in MEPT. These suggest that MEPT possesses antimalarial activity and normalizes malaria-modified biochemical changes. These effects might be attributed to its bioactive constituents. Keywords: malaria, Peltophorum pterocarpum, phytochemicals, toxicity, biochemical dysfunctions DOI: 10.7176/ALST/73-05 Publication date: April 30th 201

Evaluation of antioxidant activities and haematological effects of Asystasia gangetica leaf extract in monosodium glutamate-treated rats

This study evaluated antioxidant activities and haematological effects of methanol extract of Asystasia gangetica leaves (MEAG) on monosodium glutamate (MSG) treated rats. Forty-two male Wistar rats randomly distributed into 7 groups (n=6) were used for the study. Groups 1-3 were the normal control, MSG control, and positive control respectively whereas groups 4-5 were the extract controls, and groups 6-7 were the curative groups. All the treatments were administered orally and standard analytical methods were used for analyses. The results showed that MEAG is a rich antioxidants source and contains phenolics, flavonoids and beta-carotene in high concentrations. The extract showed concentration-dependent increases in ferric reducing antioxidant power, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and nitric oxide radicals scavenging activities but relatively lower than their respective controls. The MSG administration caused significant (P<0.05) reductions in the glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities but significantly (P<0.05) increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in the MSG control rats. The MSG administration also caused significant (P<0.05) reductions in the haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts of the MSG control relative to the normal control. Treatment with MEAG significantly elevated GPx, SOD, and CAT activities; haematological indices and significantly reduced MDA levels in the extract controls, and curative groups treated with a high dose of MSG. These findings show that methanol extract of A. gangetica leaves is rich in antioxidants that could prevent oxidative stress and improves the haematological profile of MSG treated rats

Considering the Environmental Impacts of Bioenergy Technologies to Support German Energy Transition

Clean energy for all, as listed in the United Nation’s SDG7, is a key component for sustainable environmental development. Therefore, it is imperative to uncover the environmental implications of alternative energy technologies. SustainableGAS project simulates different process chains for the substitution of natural gas with renewable energies in the German gas market. The project follows an interdisciplinary approach, taking into account techno-social and environmental variabilities. However, this research highlights the project results from the environmental perspective. So far, a detailed assessment of the environmental costs of alternative gas technologies with a focus on the process of energy transition has remained rare. Although such data constitute key inputs for decision-making, this study helps to bridge a substantial knowledge gap. Competing land-use systems are examined to secure central ecosystem services. To fulfill this obligation, an Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) serves as the modelling tool. InVEST assesses ecosystem services (ES) that are or may be affected by alternative bioenergy technologies. Spatially explicit model results include the water provisioning from the Water Yield Model (WYM), soil erosion and sedimentation described by the Sediment Delivery Ratio (SDR), and nutrient fluxes (N) in response to changing land use are obtained through the Nutrient Delivery Ratio (NDR). The detailed model results are finally extrapolated, which provides a comprehensive image of the environmental impacts associated with bioenergy expansion in Germany from our combination of unique Renewable Gas Plants (RGPs). The final result shows that nutrient load will reduce in southern Germany by the year 2050 compared to the reference state, and biomass use reduced by 46% crops