Variation of Lipase, Catalase and Dehydrogenase Activities during Bioremediation of Crude Oil Polluted Soil.

Crude oil pollution pervades the communities of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The present study examines the changes in lipase, catalase and dehydrogenase activities in crude oil polluted soils remediated with arthrobacter and bacillus species isolated from a crude oil polluted soil in Ikarama-Okordia community of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A total of ten polythene bags containing 10kg soil were used. The experimental control (natural attenuation), remediated A (arthrobacter species bioaugmented) and remediated B (bacillus species bioaugmented) had three polythene bags polluted with 100, 200 and 400ml crude oil respectively and one unpolluted polythene bag (control). Remediation lasted for 90days and analysis was carried out every 30days. The results showed a significant (p˂0.05) variation in the activities of the enzymes studied. Lipase activity increased as the volume of crude oil (contaminant) increased relative to time, however, the increment was more pronounced in the soil samples remediated with arthrobacter species than bacillus species. In all the soils (irrespective of the volume of contaminant), it was observed that there was a significant reduction in the activity of catalase between the unremediated (undergoing natural attenuation) and remediated sites (arthrobacter and bacillus species) from the unpolluted soil (control); this reduction was pronounced in the unremediated soil and the soil remediated with bacillus species. However, as bioremediation proceeded from days 0 to 90, there was resurgence in catalase activity especially in the soils remediated with arthrobacter species. Interestingly, dehydrogenase activity reduced relative to time in all the soil samples. This study concludes that crude oil contamination in soil has adverse effects on the activities of lipase, catalase and dehydrogenase; however, microorganisms in polluted soils use their biochemical machinery including enzymes to degrade pollutants. KEYWORDS: Lipase, Catalase, Dehydrogenase, Bioremediation, Bacillus species, Arthrobacter specie

Variations in Phosphatase Activity of Crude Oil and Used Crankase Oil Polluted Agricultural Soil.

A study of the variations in phosphatase activity of crude oil and used crankcase oil polluted agricultural soil was carried out.  Eight square metre farmland was cleared and divided into seven lots (A, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3) of 60 cm2 each with 30 cm2 spaces in between them. Six out of the seven lots were polluted with three different concentrations of bonny light crude oil and used crankcase oil. The results showed a decrease in both alkaline and acid phosphatase activities mainly at the topsoil, with lowest alkaline phosphatase values of 0.6440+0.0026 I.U.L-1 and 0.6440+0.0051 I.U.L-1 for weeks 7 and 8 of 6 dm3 bonny light crude oil and used crankcase oil respectively. Lowest acid phosphatase activities was observed in week 5 of 6 dm3 bonny light crude oil and used crankcase oil  with values of 0.0370+0.0039 I.U.L-1 and 0.0305+0.0037 I.U.L-1 respectively . Key words: Hydrocarbons, Pollution, Soil, Enzyme, Phosphatase

Toxicological Indices of Wistar Rats Fed Formulated Chaw of Telfairia occidentalis Planted on Crude Oil Contaminated and Remediated Soil

Toxicological indices of wistar rats fed formulated chaw of Telfairia occidentalis planted on crude oil contaminated and bioremediated soil was studied. Farmland, measuring 18 m2 was divided into three lots of 4 m2 and 2 m space was allowed between each lot (A, B and C). Two lots were polluted, subjected to 16 weeks of bioremediation and viable seeds of T. occidentalis were planted and grown for 28 days. The harvested vegetable leaves were analyzed. Leaves from natural attenuated soil showed high concentration of both aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with values of 9.34+0.03 mg/kg and 9.18+0.05 mg/kg for C36 and Fluoranthene respectively, while the bioaugmented soil had Lead as the highest heavy metal with a value of 0.10+0.02 g/100g. Four groups, of 9 rats each (totalling 36 rats) of adult males and females, wealing males and females were subsequently sub-grouped into 3 and allowed to acclimatize for a period of 1 week. These animals were fed formulated rat chaw of 50% dry weight of T. occidentalis, from the three lots (control, bioaugmented and natural attenuated soil) for a period of 28 days. Assay of animals’ toxicological index showed elevated concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, urea and creatinine in their sera. A slight increase in serum amylase activity was recorded, while concentrations of their haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) reduced. The obtained results from these biomarkers were confirmed by the histopathological sections of the animal organs

Roundtable discussion: what is the future role of the private sector in health?

Background: The role for the private sector in health remains subject to much debate, especially within the context of achieving universal health coverage. This roundtable discussion offers diverse perspectives from a range of stakeholders – a health funder, a representative from an implementing organization, a national-level policy-maker, and an expert working in a large multi-national company – on what the future may hold for the private sector in health. Discussion: The first perspective comes from a health funder, who argues that the discussion about the future role of the private sector has been bogged down in language. He argues for a ‘both/and’ approach rather than an ‘either/or’ when it comes to talking about health service provision in low- and middle-income countries. The second perspective is offered by an implementer of health insurance in sub-Saharan Africa. The piece examines the comparative roles of public sector actors, private sector actors and funding agencies, suggesting that they must work together to mobilize domestic resources to fund and deliver health services in the longer term. Thirdly, a special advisor working in the federal government of Nigeria considers the situation in that country. He notes that the private sector plays a significant role in funding and delivering health services there, and that the government must engage the private sector or forever be left behind. Finally, a representative from a multi-national pharmaceutical corporation gives an overview of global shifts that are creating opportunities for the private sector in health markets. Summary: Overall, the roundtable discussants agree that the private sector will play an important role in future health systems. But we must agree a common language, work together, and identify key issues and gaps that might be more effectively filled by the private sector.DFI

From Theory to Implementation: Adaptations to a Quality Improvement Initiative According to Implementation Context

As countries continue to invest in quality improvement (QI) initiatives in health facilities, it is important to acknowledge the role of context in implementation. We conducted a qualitative study between February 2019 and January 2020 to explore how a QI initiative was adapted to enable implementation in three facility types: primary health centres, public hospitals and private facilities in Lagos State, Nigeria. Despite a common theory of change, implementation of the initiative needed to be adapted to accommodate the local needs, priorities and organisational culture of each facility type. Across facility types, inadequate human and capital resources constrained implementation and necessitated an extension of the initiative’s duration. In public facilities, the local governance structure was adapted to facilitate coordination, but similar adaptations to governance were not possible for private facilities. Our findings highlight the importance of anticipating and planning for the local adaptation of QI initiatives according to implementation environment

Audience Perception of the Influence of Government Ownership of NTA on Journalism of Truth, Fairness and Balance: A Study of Residents of Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria

The paper investigated the audience's perception of the influence of government ownership of NTA on the principle of truth, fairness and balance. The media ownership theory and the social responsibility theory served as the theoretical underpinnings for the study. The study used a mixed method design, including an in-depth interview for the qualitative data and a survey for the quantitative data. The Wimmer and Dominick online sample size calculator was used to determine a sample size of 384 from the population of 555,500. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interview guide. Multi-stage and purposive sampling procedures were used. The results showed the respondents' high knowledge of the journalistic principles of truth, justice, and balance in news reporting. The respondents have a negative perception towards government ownership of NTA and the practices of the journalists regarding truth, fairness, and balance in news reportage, as the ownership affects the practices of journalists in upholding the principle of truth, fairness, and balance in news reportage. The study further revealed that the respondents perceive that the influence of government control of NTA limits the freedom of the press, which is against the ethics and demands of professional journalism. The paper concluded that when news stories are written and framed in the interest of the owners rather than the public interest, it kills journalistic ethics and professionalism as well as the social responsibility role of the media

Neuroenhancement in Military Personnel::Conceptual and Methodological Promises and Challenges

Military personnel face harsh conditions that strain their physical and mental well-being, depleting resources necessary for sustained operational performance. Future operations will impose even greater demands on soldiers in austere environments with limited support, and new training and technological approaches are essential. This report highlights the progress in cognitive neuroenhancement research, exploring techniques such as neuromodulation and neurofeedback, and emphasizes the inherent challenges and future directions in the field of cognitive neuroenhancement for selection, training, operations, and recovery

From Theory to Implementation: Adaptations to a Quality Improvement Initiative According to Implementation Context.

As countries continue to invest in quality improvement (QI) initiatives in health facilities, it is important to acknowledge the role of context in implementation. We conducted a qualitative study between February 2019 and January 2020 to explore how a QI initiative was adapted to enable implementation in three facility types: primary health centres, public hospitals and private facilities in Lagos State, Nigeria.Despite a common theory of change, implementation of the initiative needed to be adapted to accommodate the local needs, priorities and organisational culture of each facility type. Across facility types, inadequate human and capital resources constrained implementation and necessitated an extension of the initiative's duration. In public facilities, the local governance structure was adapted to facilitate coordination, but similar adaptations to governance were not possible for private facilities. Our findings highlight the importance of anticipating and planning for the local adaptation of QI initiatives according to implementation environment

Effect of CCBP doping on the multifunctional Al-0.5 Mg-15CCBP superalloy using liquid metallurgy process for advanced application

One of the greatest challenges of metallic alloys in numerous applications is due to their structural and habitual failure in service. In an attempt to subdue this failure, Aluminium metal matrix composite was developed with the inclusion of carbonized chicken bone powder (CCBP) as the reinforcing particulate. The addition of the nano-sized CCBP was carried out at different percentage weight on an Al6063 alloy. The production of Aluminium metal matrix composite (A6063-CCBP) was achieved using stir casting comprising 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt per cent of CCBP. The electrochemical and weight loss test conducted in 0.5M of hydrochloric acid on the composite reveal an improved corrosion resistance. Conventional mechanical tests; hardness and tensile test carried out on the composite using Vickers hardness technique and Universal tensile machine respectively showed that the composite now exhibits better mechanical properties. The comparison of the electrical properties from the electrical test carried out pointed to the fact that incorporation of CCBP into Al6063 provided some level of insulation. Also, the morphological change via SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) micrograph unveiled that the inclusion of CCBP in the A6063 metal matrix reduced cleavages, showing uniform dispersion of the reinforcement along the grain boundaries and more so, minimised brittle fractur