Synthesis and Pd(II) binding studies of octasubstituted alkyl thio derivatised phthalocyanines

Synthesis and characterization of non-peripherally (4,5) and peripherally (6,7) substituted metal free and Pd octapentylthiophthalocyanine and coordination of palladium ions to these Pcs are reported. The unmetalated complexes (4 and 6) show Pd coordination at the central metal and at the ring. The number of Pd ions bound to complex 4 were found to be five and to complex 6 were three. The equilibrium constant for the binding of Pd to complexes 4 was lower (K = 1.2 × 109 dm3 mol−1) than for complex 6 (K = 5.7 × 1010 dm3 mol−1)

Effect of different rates and methods of benomyl and mancozeb application on delay in senescence and grain yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) under different cropping season

Field assessment of different rates and methods of three fungicide applications on delay in senescence (DS) and grain yield of cowpea during the early and late cropping season of 1999 respectively was conducted. The benomyl treatment applied via the combination of seed and foliar methods at the highest rate of 0.75 + 0.75kg a.i/ha gave the highest percentage delay in senescence (100%) as well as highest grain yield of (2.1 t/ha) which were significantly different (

Impact of teacher’s personality on academic performance of biology students in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State

Recent results of Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) Biology shows a decline in achievement, even those who take the exams, scale through with mere passing grades with no distinction. This study is therefore an attempt to investigate learner's achievement in Biology with respect to teacher factors. The characteristics of the biology teacher (BT) under examination are subject mastery, skill set, attitude to work and degree of job satisfaction. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire administered to 312 respondents, consisting of 300 SSS students studying Biology and 12 BTs. The respondents were randomly selected from six (6) schools in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), Rivers State. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and a mean score of 2.50 was considered significant for the TF under consideration. Results indicate grand mean scores as follows: relationship between BTs’ subject mastery and learners’ performance (3.87>2.25), relationship between BTs' skill set and learners' performance (2.95>2.5); relationship between the biology teachers' attitude to work and learners' performance (2.87>2.5), relationship between BTs' job satisfaction and learners' academic performance (2.53>2.50). The results show that teacher personality factors such as subject mastery, skill set and attitude to work influence the performance of Biology students in Senior Secondary Schools in ONELGA, Rivers State

Investigation of photosensitising behaviour of Ni, Pd and Pt phthalocyanines towards phenolic pollutants

Syntheses of various octasubstituted open-shell (Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II)) metallophthalocyanines and their metal-free analogues have been carried out. Spectroscopic characterizations, photophysical and photochemical studies were carried out to determine the effects of these metals on the molecules using the metal-free phthalocyanine analogues as benchmark. Metal-binding studies of few thio-derivatised phthalocyanines were done to increase the number of palladium metal on the phthalocyanine ligands and determine the effect of increasing number of this metal on phthalocyanine properties. Palladium (PdPc) and platinum phthalocyanines (PtPc) gave good triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields making them suitable for further investigation in application as photosensitisers. Using 4-nitrophenol as model pollutant, photosensitization reactions were carried out under homogenous and heterogeneous conditions. The reactions were monitored using UV-vis spectroscopy. The MPcs were adsorbed on functionalized single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT-COOH) to form heterogeneous photosensitizers with PtPc failing to adsorb on the SWCNT-COOH. Under the heterogeneous condition, all the PdPcs photosensitization kinetics was consistent with Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction model. The best photosenstiser, β-palladium dodecylthio phthalocyanine was also deployed in sensitization of oxidation of 4-chlorophenol and pentachlorophenol under homogenous and heterogeneous conditions to establish the ability of the molecules to sensitize oxidation of wide range of phenolic pollutants. Identifications of the products of the reactions were conducted using gas chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) hyphenated with mass analyzer (LC-MS). Mechanisms of all the reactions were investigated and all the complexes, in spite of reduced lifetime resulting from open-shell nature of the metals, sensitized the reactions through singlet oxygen mediated pathway. All the heterogeneous sensitisers were recyclable in the 4- nitrophenol oxidation but β-palladium dodecylthio phthalocyanine proved unrecyclable in the oxidation of pentachlorophenol

Phylogenetic diversity and relationships among 40 rice accessions using morphological and RAPDs techniques

Morphological characterization of 40 rice accessions using 14 agro-botanical traits was done in a field experiment in an augmented randomized complete block design. The aim of the work was to study variations and to select lines that can be used as potential parents in a future breeding program. The single linkage clustering, the Principal Components Axes and a morphological dendrogram were used to group the accessions. Genetic relatedness among accessions based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular marker data was also presented in form of a dendrogram using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA). Relative effectiveness of the RAPD markers and genetic diversity among accessions as revealed by botanical descriptors were compared.The single linkage cluster technique classified the 40 accessions into six morphological groups whereas the PCA re-ordered the accessions into four broad groups that had within cluster similarities and inter-cluster morphological variations. RAPDs were highly polymorphic, more discriminatory and informative as they were able to differentiate more pairs of accessions than the botanical descriptors. IITA rice accessions TOX 3052-46-3-3-2-1 and TOX 3027-44-1-E4-2-2 and Brazilian accessions (CLSELECCION 3B and 450) that performed better than checks could be selected for a future breeding program

Appraisal of facility provisions in public-private partnership housing delivery in southwest Nigeria

The impact of facility provisions within housing environs cannot be overemphasized. It represents the backbone of housing development, stabilizes occupant satisfaction level, and improves living conditions of residents. It is on this premise that this study appraises facility provisions within Public-Private Partnership (PPP) constructed estates in three (3) South-western states of Nigeria to determine the provider of the major facilities in PPP housing within the study area. A quantitative research method was adopted for the study with the use of questionnaires emerging for data collection. The questionnaire was administered to 90 residents of housing units within the selected estates in which 88 questionnaires were retrieved. The study shows that apart from providing the building structures and finance, the private sector provides potable water for consumption and domestic use, waste management and disposal, the connection of PPP residential houses to the national electrical grid, and provision of a network of roads within the estates linking the government provided main access road. The study recommended that in providing facilities for any future PPP housing delivery system, parties involved in the provisions of required facilities need to understand the end-user’s facility needs. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[5s]: 46-54)

Genetics evaluation of phosphorus utilization in tropical cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp)

Genetics evaluation of phosphorus utilization in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp) was studied in a cross involving a tropically adapted genotype (IT90K-277-2) with a reported positive response to rock phosphate (RP) and a second genotype (IT89KD-288) that responds negatively to RP, using generation mean analysis of the parents, their F1, F2 and the two backcross generations. Highly significant differences among the six generations with respect to seed phosphorus (P) concentration and grain yield per plant were observed. The F1 progenies produced seeds with higher seed P concentration (0.31 mg/g) than the mid-parent value (0.27mg/g). Mean yield per plant in the F1(48.03g) that was significantly greater than the mid-parent value (28.85g) was also observed suggesting positive heterosis for the two traits. Backcrossing to both parents showed good convergence of genes on the recurrent parents. Possibility of transgressive segregation for seed P concentration and grain yield per plant in the F2 generation was also observed. Absence of significant reciprocal differences among individuals in the F1 and F2 populations suggested lack of maternal and cytoplasmic effects. Non-additive gene action (dominance and epistasis) made significant contributions to total genetic variations in both traits within the cross. Whereas seed P concentration was observed to be under polygenic control, number of genes for seed yield per plant was biased downward by epistasis. Observed narrow-sense heritability estimate (HN)) for seed P concentration of 50.51% and very low (0.040) expected genetic gain in the F3 over the F2 means suggested that although expected progress from selection could be lowered by non-additive gene effects, this trait could be transmitted to the offsprings of hybridization program with huge success, through backcrossing. Although, available soil P (6.03 – 8.09mg/kg) was observed to be below the critical level, phosphorus uptake in the F1 and the segregating generations was observed to be higher than what obtained in the parents to suggest that the progenies of a P-efficient x P-inefficient cross would be efficient in P utilization.Keywords: Generation mean analysis, Phosphorus uptake, Polygenes, Transgressive segregants, Tropical vigna

A Critical Review of Maturity Model Development in the Digitisation Era

Maturity models assess the prevailing capability level and proffer the necessary capabilities for effective adoption in a systematic roadmap. This is considered essential to achieve diffusion of the emerging technologies. The paper provides a guide to maturity model development in the digitisation era. This study adopted scientometrics and meta-synthesis to critically review and provide guidance on maturity model development. Firstly, bibliographic data was collected from the Scopus database and analysed using Scientometrics. Secondly, developed BIM maturity models were critically reviewed. The study identified areas of maturity model deployment and the industries of deployment. It also identified the present areas of deployment of maturity models. The second aspect critically reviewed selected BIM maturity models through stated parameters and outlined the necessary criteria for maturity model development. Maturity model is widely adopted to achieve optimisation and proper assessment in various industries. The study identified the industries where it is deployed and identified the areas of maturity model deployment in the digitisation era. In addition, it was observed that some existing BIM maturity models do not conform to the various requirements expected of a maturity model. The study is unique in the methods adopted to achieve its results. Also, it identified the areas of maturity model deployment. The study is helpful as it provides the criteria for maturity model development hereafter, while also helping BIM users choose among the existing BIM maturity models. The study is crucial for proper maturity model development in the digitisation era

Post Consolidation Effects of Banking Sector Recapitalization on Nigeria Construction Industry (Lagos and Ogun State Case Study)

Abstract: Construction project involves huge capital flow (materials, machines, manpower, management, finance) from inception to completion and handover. Bank consolidation will enhance synergy; improve efficiency through cost reduction revenue in the long- run, reduction in the industry‟s risk by eliminating weak bank and acquiring of smaller ones by the bigger and stronger bankers as well as creating opportunities for greater diversification and financial intermediation. This paper aimed at assessing post consolidation effect of the banking sector recapitalization on construction industry and the major objectives of the study are: assessing the volume of credit facilities given to building contractors by commercial banks the trend in the interest rates charged by commercial banks on credit facilities allocated to building and civil engineering contractors and to evaluate whether building and civil engineering contractors now have better access to credit facilities. This research is purposive and 120 structured questionnaire were distributed to the construction professionals, developer, financial institution houses, and registered building and civil engineering contractors in some selected firm in Lagos State and Ogun state out of which 92 questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed. The result of the hypothesis showed that the level of construction activities financed by banks has not increased during post-consolidation. The paper found out the following as effects of banking sector recapitalization on construction industry which resulted into the inability of the contractors to meet up the outrageous demands for high value collateral to commemorate loan applied for, limited payback period on the loan applied for, because the longer the payback period; the higher the interest rate and finally high interest rate charged on the loan obtained by the contractors which are geometrically increased from 3-30 percentage. The research work thereby recommend Commercial banks need to pay more attention in financing medium and small size firm and their projects as they constitute larger percentage of the Nigeria construction industry, so as to increase their financial activities and expand their assets and recoupin

Photophysical and photochemical properties of Ni (II), Pd (II) and Pt (II) aryloxo and alkylthio derivatised phthalocyanine

Several aryloxo (3a–6a and 3b–6b) and alkylthio (3d and 3e) derivatised phthalocyanines were synthesized, characterized and the photochemical and photophysical properties investigated along with those of the previously reported (3c–5c, 4d, 5d, 4e and 5e) complexes. The effects of open-shell metals (Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II)) on the photophysical and photochemical properties of the phthalocyanine ligands were investigated. Palladium and platinum improved the triplet quantum yield and singlet oxygen generation capacities of the unmetalated phthalocyanines (3a–3e) making their complexes candidates for further investigation in photocatalysis. Ni(II)Pc analogues gave poor results compared with their Pd(II)Pc and Pt(II)Pc counterparts