Assessment of Selected Heavy Metal Content on Dumpsites Soil and Vegetables Grown in Muwo Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria

This study examines the concentration of heavy metals in soil samples and some vegetables (spinach, water leaf, bitter leaf and jute mallow) cultivated around dumpsites in Muwo Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria. The soil samples and vegetable were analyzed for Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd using AA500 spectrophotometer after acid digestion. Data obtained show that, the Pb (1.684 mg/kg of Jute) content was high compared to other metals study in this work. Concentration of Zn was 1.993, 0.862 and 0.443 mg/kg for water leaf, soil and control sample respectively. The content of Pb was 1.727, 1.738 and ND mg/kg for water leaf, soil and control sample respectively. Also, the concentration of Pb was 1.736, ND and 0.457 mg/kg for spinach, soil and control sample respectively. However, the content of Zn was 0.786, 0.751 and 0.554 mg/kg for spinach, soil and control sample respectively The accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils is of increasing concern because of, potential health risks, food safety as well as its detrimental effects on the soil ecosystem and human health. The pollution indexes of Ni contents are 0.439, 0.378, and 0.083 for jute, soil and control sample respectively. While Zn concentration was 1.117, 0.858 and 0.492 for jute, soil and control sample respectively. The result of this study shows that Pb concentrations are present in high levels in the study area at the different level of contamination

流向资源丰富国家的外国直接投资：制度质量是否重要？

Received April 4, 2022; accepted September 6, 2022.Дата поступления 4 апреля 2022 г.; дата принятия к печати 6 сентября 2022 г.Relevance. Foreign investment is likely to be attracted to resource-rich countries because of their wealth of natural resources. However, the fact that foreign direct investment (FDI) contributes less than 10% of these countries’ GDP indicates that FDI has a non-proportional impact when compared to the size of the natural resources. Hence, it is critical to identify the missing link impeding resource optimization through FDI. Research objective. Given the significance of FDI, the study seeks to ascertain whether the quality of institutions in resource-rich countries influences FDI inflows. This is significant because resource-rich countries may have other factors that encourage FDI but do not result in resource optimization. Data and methods. The study employed panel data analysis to analyze the impact of FDI on economic growth in resource-rich countries and the role of institutions in attracting FDI. The study relies on the Augmented Mean Group Estimator and on the annual data from the World Bank’s World Development Indicator and the World Bank’s World Governance Indicator for the top ten resource-rich countries. Results. Our preliminary evidence indicated that FDI had a positive and significant effect on economic growth in resource-rich countries. The extent of the influence, on the other hand, is minimal for all categories of countries. Our main results revealed that institutional quality has a significant pull effect on FDI, with trade openness playing a key role, particularly in resource-rich nations with well-developed institutions. Conclusions. We found that institutional quality plays a critical role in attracting FDI, which could have hampered natural resource optimization. Furthermore, countries with high institutional quality and less restrictive investment policies attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) than countries with low institutional quality and with investment policies ranging from moderate to restrictive. In general, resource-rich countries, particularly those with weak institutional qualities, should address the gap in institutional quality to attract more inward investment.现实性：资源丰富的国家有可能因自然资源而吸引外国投资。然而，外 国直接投资（FDI）在这些国家的GDP中所占比例不到10%，这表明FDI的 影响与自然资源的规模是不成比例的。因此，找出通过FDI实现资源优化 的阻碍是至关重要的。 研究目标：鉴于外国直接投资的重要性，本研究试图调查资源丰富国家的 制度质量，来确定其是否会影响外国直接投资的流入。这一点很重要，因 为资源丰富的国家可能有其他鼓励FDI的因素，但这不会使资源优化。 数据与方法：该研究使用面板数据，分析了外国直接投资对资源丰富国 家经济增长的影响，以及制度在吸引外国直接投资方面的作用。该研究 基于十个资源丰富国家的世界银行世界发展指标、全球治理治理指标的 平均数据与年度数据。 研究结果：初步数据显示，外国直接投资对资源丰富国家的经济增长产生 了积极和显著的影响。但在另一方面，其对所有具体类别的影响程度都很 小。我们的最终结果显示，具体制度设计对外国直接投资有重大影响，其 中贸易开放度起着关键作用，特别是对于制度发达的资源丰富的国家。 结论：我们发现制度设计在吸引 FDI 方面起着关键作用，但这可能会阻 碍自然资源的优化。此外，制度质量高、投资政策限制较少的国家比制 度质量低、投资政策适度或限制性的国家能吸引更多的外国直接投资 （FDI）。总的来说，自然资源丰富的国家，特别是体制质量较弱的国 家，需要缩小这种差距，以吸引更多的投资。Исследование выполнено при финансовой поддержке Министерства науки и высшего образования Российской Федерации в рамках Программы развития Уральского федерального университета имени первого Президента России Б.Н. Ельцина в соответствии с программой стратегического академического лидерства “Приоритет-2030”.Актуальность. Иностранные инвестиции, вероятно, будут привлекать богатые природными ресурсами страны из-за их богатства природных ресурсов. Однако тот факт, что прямые иностранные инвестиции (ПИИ) составляют менее 10% ВВП этих стран, указывает на то, что ПИИ оказывают непропорциональное влияние по сравнению с размером природных ресурсов. Следовательно, крайне важно определить недостающее звено, препятствующее оптимизации ресурсов за счет ПИИ. Цель исследования. Учитывая важность ПИИ, исследование направлено на выяснение того, влияет ли качество институтов в странах, богатых природными ресурсами, на приток ПИИ. Это важно, поскольку у богатых ресурсами стран могут быть другие факторы, стимулирующие ПИИ, но не приводящие к оптимизации ресурсов. Данные и методы. В исследовании использовался панельный анализ данных для анализа воздействия ПИИ на экономический рост в странах, богатых природными ресурсами, и роли учреждений в привлечении ПИИ. Исследование основано на расширенной средней групповой оценке и годовых данных индикатора мирового развития Всемирного банка и индикатора мирового управления Всемирного банка для десяти стран, богатых природными ресурсами. Результаты. Наши предварительные данные показали, что ПИИ оказали положительное и значительное влияние на экономический рост в странах, богатых природными ресурсами. С другой стороны, степень влияния минимальна для всех категорий стран. Наши основные результаты показали, что качество институтов оказывает значительное влияние на ПИИ, при этом открытость торговли играет ключевую роль, особенно в богатых ресурсами странах с хорошо развитыми институтами. Выводы. Мы обнаружили, что институциональное качество играет решающую роль в привлечении ПИИ, что могло помешать оптимизации природных ресурсов. Кроме того, страны с высоким институциональным качеством и менее ограничительной инвестиционной политикой привлекают больше прямых иностранных инвестиций (ПИИ), чем страны с низким институциональным качеством и инвестиционной политикой от умеренной до ограничительной. В целом, страны, богатые природными ресурсами, особенно страны со слабыми институциональными качествами, должны устранить этот разрыв, чтобы привлечь больше инвестиций.The research funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Ural Federal University project within the Priority-2030 Program) is gratefully acknowledged.Исследование выполнено при финансовой поддержке Министерства науки и высшего образования Российской Федерации в рамках Программы развития Уральского федерального университета имени первого Президента России Б.Н. Ельцина в соответствии с программой стратегического академического лидерства “Приоритет-2030”

The impact of educational attainment on household poverty in South Africa: A case study of Limpopo province

Poverty is a phenomenon that is multidimensional in nature and its meaning varies from one individual to another (Alkire and Foster 2011; Batana 2013; Bossert, Chakravarty, and D'Ambrosio 2013; Jansen et al. 2015). It can be seen as a failure to attain certain capabilities, absolute or relative,2 or a lack of income to meet a certain standard of living in a given society (Jansen et al. 2015). It can be chronic or temporary3, is often linked with underdevelopment, economic exclusion and vulnerabilities, and sometimes closely correlated with inequality (Mbuli 2008; Van der Berg 2008; Jansen et al. 2015). The definition of poverty employed determines its measurement

Oxidative conversion of methane to syngas over NiO/MgO solid solution supported on low surface area catalyst carrier

Influence of time-on-stream (0.5-15 h), CH<SUB>4</SUB>/O<SUB>2</SUB> ratio in feed (1.8-8.0), space velocity (6000-510,000 cm<SUP>3</SUP> g<SUP>-1</SUP> h<SUP>-1</SUP>), catalyst particle size (22-70 mesh), and catalyst dilution by inert solid particles (diluent/catalyst weight ratio=4) on the performance at different temperatures (600-900&#176;C) of the NiO/MgO solid solution deposited on SA-5205 [which is a low surface area macroporous silica-alumina catalyst carrier] in the oxidative conversion of methane to syngas (a mixture of CO and H<SUB>2</SUB>) has been investigated. The dependence of conversion and selectivity on the space velocity is strongly influenced by the temperature. Both the conversion and selectivity for H<SUB>2</SUB> and CO are decreased markedly by increasing the CH<SUB>4</SUB>/O<SUB>2</SUB> ratio in the feed. The catalyst dilution resulted in a small but significant decrease in both the conversion and selectivity for H<SUB>2</SUB> and CO. The increase in the catalyst particle size had also a small but significant effect on both the conversion and selectivity in the oxidative conversion process. Both the heat and mass transfer processes seem to play significant roles in the oxidative conversion of methane to syngas at a very low contact time or very high space velocity (5.1&#215;10<SUP>5</SUP> cm<SUP>3</SUP> g<SUP>-1</SUP> h<SUP>-1</SUP>)

Energy efficient conversion of methane to syngas over NiO-MgO solid solution

Methane-to-CO and H<SUB>2</SUB> conversion reactions, involving partial oxidation by O<SUB>2</SUB>, oxy-steam reforming, oxy-CO<SUB>2</SUB> reforming, CO<SUB>2</SUB> reforming, simultaneous steam and CO<SUB>2</SUB> reforming, over a NiO-MgO solid solution (Ni/Mg =0.5) have been investigated. The calcination (up to 1200&#176;C) temperature of the catalyst has a small but significant effect on its activity/selectivity in the oxidative conversion of methane to syngas. The reduction (by H<SUB>2</SUB>) temperature of the catalyst has no significant effect on the catalyst's performance. The catalyst shows high activity and selectivity in the oxy-steam reforming and oxy-CO<SUB>2</SUB> reforming reactions, at 800-850&#176;C and high space velocity [(40-50)&#215;10<SUP>3</SUP> cm<SUP>3</SUP> g<SUP>-1</SUP> h<SUP>-1</SUP>]. These two processes involve coupling of the exothermic oxidative conversion and endothermic steam or CO<SUB>2</SUB> reforming reactions, making both the processes highly energy efficient and also safe to operate. The catalyst also shows high methane conversion activity (nearly 95% conversion) with 100% selectivity for both CO and H<SUB>2</SUB> in the simultaneous steam and CO<SUB>2</SUB> reforming of methane at (800-850&#176;C) at a high space velocity (3.6&#215;10<SUP>3</SUP> cm<SUP>3</SUP> g<SUP>-1</SUP> h<SUP>-1</SUP>)

Large enhancement in methane-to-syngas conversion activity of supported Ni catalysts due to precoating of catalyst supports with MgO, CaO or rare-earth oxide

Supported nickel catalysts prepared using commercial sintered low surface area porous catalyst carriers (containing SiO2 and/or Al2O3) precoated with MgO, CaO or rare-earth oxide show very much higher activity, selectivity and productivity in methane-to-syngas conversion reactions, than the catalysts prepared using catalyst carriers without any precoating. Among the precoating metal oxides, the best performance is observed for MgO

Simultaneous steam and CO<SUB>2</SUB> reforming of methane to syngas over NiO/MgO/SA-5205 in presence and absence of oxygen

Steam reforming, CO2 reforming and simultaneous steam and CO2 reforming reactions of methane for its conversion into syngas (H2 and CO) over NiO/MgO/SA-5205 catalyst (prepared by depositing NiO on MgO precoated SA-5205 support) have been investigated at different process conditions. In some cases O2 was present in the feed, while in other cases it was not. The catalyst has been characterised by its temperature programmed reduction and also, after its reduction, by temperature programmed desorption of hydrogen. It showed high activity and selectivity in the above methane-to-syngas conversion reactions at low contact times. The H2/CO product ratio in the simultaneous methane conversion reactions showed a strong dependence on the feed composition; such dependence is increased by increasing the concentration of steam relative to that of O2 and/or CO2 in the feed. In the oxy-steam and/or CO2 reforming reactions, there is a direct coupling of the exothermic and endothermic reactions and hence these processes over the catalyst occur in the most energy efficient and safe manners, requiring little or no external energy. The net heat of reactions in these processes is strongly influenced by the reaction temperature and/or CH4/O2 ratio in the feed. In the simultaneous steam and CO2 reforming of methane in both the presence and absence of O2, it is possible to convert methane into syngas with high conversion (above 97%) and 100% selectivity for both CO and H2

Oxidation of ethylenediaminetetraacetate by tris(diimine) iron(III) complexes and the dodecatungstocobaltate(III) ion: a comparative kinetic and mechanistic study

The stoichiometry and kinetics of the oxidation of ethyl-enediaminetetraacetate by [Fe(phen)3]3+, [Fe(bipy)3]3+ and [CoIIIW12O40]5- were studied in aqueous HClO4. Reaction rates were first order with respect to the oxidants and the reductant, and the dependence of the second order rate constant k2 on [H+] is given by k2 = a + b[H+ -. The primary products were CO2, CH2O and (CH2NH2)2. Schuster treatment is employed to show that the reactions occur by the outersphere mechanism

Influences of pH and Temperature on the Anaerobic Fermentation of Groundnut Shell and Cow Dung for Biogas Production

The increasing demand, high cost and health implications of using energy derived from hydrocarbon compound have necessitated the continuous search for alternative sources of energy. Groundnut shell (GS) and Cow dung (CD) as renewable source of energy supply have been proven to be very efficient. This study investigated the influences of operating parameters in anaerobic fermentation of GS and CD in the laboratory scale using the simple locally fabricated digesters labeled A-E of 4,000cm3 working volume. The temperatures were recorded one time daily using a thermometer that was fitted to the digester. The digesters were fed on a batch basis with the slurry of different mix ratio and operated at ambient temperature (28-40°C) for 30days. Digester A being the control containing 100% of CD have pH of 7.00 and 7.20 before and after digestion respectively. This shows that the pH values of cow dung was neutral before digestion and slightly alkaline after digestion while digester E containing 100% of groundnut shell also a control have pH of 7.10 and 7.20 respectively before and after digestion. The temperatures in the five digesters fluctuated optimally between 28°C and 40°C which conforms to the mesophilic range. Most microorganisms grow best under neutral pH conditions, since other pH values may adversely affect metabolism by altering the chemical equilibrium of enzymatic reactions, or by actually destroying the enzymes.&nbsp; Low pH can cause the chain of biological reactions in fermentation to cease. &nbsp