Investigation of pollutant removal processes within a combined wetland/aerated pond system for the treatment of airport runoff

An integrated system of aerated ponds together with rafted and horizontal flow sub-surface reedbeds has been Installed to treat the glycol-contaminated runoff from two of Heathrow Airport’s susceptible catchment areas the Southern Catchment and the Eastern Catchment. The original plan was to transfer pre-treated water from the latter through the existing fire main which runs around the airport perimeter to the Mayfield Farm Treatment Facility (MFTF) which receives runoff from the Southern Catchment. However this part of the overall Heathrow treatment scheme for surface runoff has not yet been put into operation. Results from monitoring of the treatment system has shown Significant reductions In Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) throughout the system with levels decreasing by 76 6±10 5% across the constructed wetland cells at the MFTF following high airport deicing fluids applications. However continued exposure to BOD concentrations exceeding the design target of 110 mg/l has resulted in anaerobic conditions being established in the wetland. Background nitrate and phosphate levels observed in two aerated ponds at the MFTF which are used for storage and initial treatment of airport runoff were low Initial results from laboratory experiments conducted to assess the ideal nutrient levels required to support glycol biodegradation in the aerated ponds showed efficient BOD removal (within 5 days) after repeated glycol additions There were also Increases In bacteria populations In aerated pond water samples from average background levels of 107 to 1010 Colony forming units (CFU) per litre Based on the Interpretation of the laboratory experiments a nutrient dosing protocol commenced on 12 November 2004 at the MFTF to ensure that nutrient levels in the aerated ponds were appropriate to treat the contaminated airport runoff received during the winter months Although the BOO levels recorded In the aerated ponds were still high after the commencement of the nutrient dosing regime in November 2004 the BOD removal efficiency of the aerated reservoir following the Influx of high winter BOD load increased to 47 5% (February 2005) from 25 5% recorded In March 2004. In microbiological analyses conducted on the water samples from the MFTF only 18 strains of bacteria, 3 fungal strains and 2 actinomycetes strains were culturable In the laboratory. A combination of API biochemical tests and PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) analyses showed that at least SIX of these bacteria were Pseudomonas species which have been widely reported to have high potential for biodegradation of organic pollutants. However biodegradation experiments conducted using the consortium of the bacteria fungi and actinomycetes Isolates In sterile distilled water dosed With glycol showed that they lacked the ability to efficiently remove the BOD despite the continuously high BOD reductions recorded in some of the natural systems they were isolated from

Treatment Outcomes in a Decentralized Antiretroviral Therapy Program: A Comparison of Two Levels of Care in North Central Nigeria

Background. Decentralization of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services is a key strategy to achieving universal access to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. Our objective was to assess clinical and laboratory outcomes within a decentralized program in Nigeria. Methods. Using a tiered hub-and-spoke model to decentralize services, a tertiary hospital scaled down services to 13 secondary-level hospitals using national and program guidelines. We obtained sociodemographic, clinical, and immunovirologic data on previously antiretroviral drug naïve patients aged ≥15 years that received HAART for at least 6 months and compared treatment outcomes between the prime and satellite sites. Results. Out of 7,747 patients, 3729 (48.1%) were enrolled at the satellites while on HAART, prime site patients achieved better immune reconstitution based on CD4+ cell counts at 12 (P < 0.001) and 24 weeks (P < 0.001) with similar responses at 48 weeks (P = 0.11) and higher rates of viral suppression (<400 c/mL) at 12 (P < 0.001) and 48 weeks (P = 0.03), but similar responses at 24 weeks (P = 0.21). Mortality was 2.3% versus 5.0% (P < 0.001) at prime and satellite sites, while transfer rate was 8.7% versus 5.5% (P = 0.001) at prime and satellites. Conclusion. ART decentralization is feasible in resource-limited settings, but efforts have to be intensified to maintain good quality of care

Removal of phosphate from River water using a new baffle plates electrochemical reactor

During the last 50 years, the human activities have significantly altered the natural cycle of phosphate in this planet, causing phosphate to accumulate in the freshwater ecosystems of some countries to at least 75% greater than preindustrial levels, which indicates an urgent need to develop efficient phosphate treatment methods. Therefore, the current study investigates the removal of phosphate from river water using a new electrochemical cell (PBPR). This new cell utilises perforated baffle plates as a water mixer rather than magnetic stirrers that require power to work. This study investigates the influence of key operational parameters such as initial pH (ipH), current density (Ј), inter-electrode distance (ID), detention time (t) and initial phosphate concentration (IC) on the removal efficiency, and influence of the electrocoagulation process on the morphology of the surface of electrodes. Overall, the results showed that the new reactor was efficient enough to reduce the concentration of phosphate to the permissible limits. Additionally, SEM images showed that the Al anode became rough and nonuniform due to the production of aluminium hydroxides. The main advantages of the electrocoagulation technique are: 1- The EC method does not produce secondary pollutants as it does not required chemical additives, while other traditional treatment methods required either chemical or biological additives [[1], [2], [3], [4]]. 2- It has a large treatment capacity and a relatively short treatment time in comparison with other treatment methods, such as the biological methods [1,[5], [6], [7]]. 3- The EC method produces less sludge than traditional treatment traditional chemical and biological treatment methods [8,9]. EC technology, like any other treatment method, has some drawbacks that could limit its performance. For instance, it still has a clear deficiency in the variety of reactor design, and the electrodes should be periodically replaced as they dissolve into the solution due to the oxidation process [2,10]

Farmers’ Perception of Sustainable Agriculture in South-Western Nigeria: Implications for Rural Economy

The modern industrial agriculture had created an array of ecological and equity problems through the introduction of high input agricultural technology such as heavy machinery, irrigation and agrochemicals. This approach favours the rich farmers at the expense of poor farmers because it is not scale neutral. This study examined the perception of farmers with respect to sustainable agriculture that produces abundant food devoid of the earth’s resources depletion. Amultistage sampling technique was used to select 480 crop farmers in three states (Oyo, Osun and Ekiti) of the south-west, Nigeria. Data were collected with the use of structured interview schedule and described using frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the existence of relationships between the pairs of variables (age, year of formal education, farming experience, farm size and farmer’s perception).. This study was able to examine farmers’ disposition toward sustainable agriculture. Farmers were favourably disposed to the practice of sustainable agriculture and realized its potentials as an alternative to industrial agriculture, a profitable venture, capable of providing a healthy family income that would improve the rural economy. Extension agency should intensify efforts through collaboration with relevant non-governmental organisations to keep farmers abreast of the sustainable agriculture practices and benefits

A Comparative Study: Globalization and Development of Regions of Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America

Globalization is one of the most significant concepts of our time that has led to countless academic discussions and public debates. Several empirical literatures have explored how globalization has impacted developed and developing economies. It is critical to study the effects of regional globalization and the impact of different methodological perspectives. This paper examines the effects of globalization across various regions of Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The secondary data used for this paper is obtained from Statista and the World Bank. The methodologies used include One-way Anova, Regression Analysis and Ancova. The findings of the Anova show how globalization significantly impacts the regions discussed in this paper. This indicates that the regions derived substantial benefits from globalization. The regression analysis results highlight that there is no relationship between globalization and democracy, and the Ancova results support that the interaction of region and democracy is not significant. We therefore conclude that the growth and development of these regions related to globalization is based on increased competition, employment, investment and capital flows, foreign trade, spread of technical know-how, spread of culture, high standard of education, and structural institutions. This paper provides a platform to better inform policy makers in these regions, as well as the world, on how the benefits of globalization lead to the expansion and growth of developed and developing countries. Keywords: Globalization Index, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Democracy Index, Ancova DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/89-03 Publication date: January 31st 202

Entrants’ Age and Academic Competence of Undergraduates in Universities in Osun State

This study examines the influence of university entrants’ age on the academic competence of undergraduates in universities located in Osun State, Nigeria. Motivated by growing concerns about the preparedness and performance of students entering higher education at varying ages, the research seeks to determine whether age at entry serves as a significant predictor of academic success. Using a survey research design, data were collected from undergraduates in the selected universities in Osun State through academic records and structured questionnaires. The investigation into the intricate relationship between admission policy, specifically regarding age, and academic competence among university undergraduates has provided valuable insights into the complexities of the educational landscape in universities across Osun State. This conclusion synthesizes the key findings, highlights the issue of noncompliance with the admission age policy by university management, and explores the nuanced relationship between admission age and academic competence reflecting on the significant influence of admission age on the academic competence of university undergraduates in the state. The findings also reveal statistically significant differences in academic competence associated with age brackets, with older entrants demonstrating higher levels of academic maturity and self-regulation, while younger entrants showed greater adaptability and learning agility. The study recommends that university admission policies and student support programs consider age-related academic needs to enhance learning outcomes. These findings have implications for educational planning and student development strategies in the region. Given these insights, it is recommended that university management adhere to the stipulated minimum admission age. This guideline ensures that students admitted into higher institutions have attained sufficient development across cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains, thereby better equipping them for the academic demands of tertiary education

Genetic diversity of antibiotic and plant extract resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospitalized patients in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of antibiotics and plants extract resistant Staphylococcus aureus using molecular technique. A total of 106 human clinical samples were collected from patients in three different hospitals within Ekiti State. Microbiological and molecular analyses were performed using standard methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility test with common antibiotics and plant leaves extracts was carried out using disk and agar well diffusion methods. Urine samples from male patients recorded a high percentage of S. aureus (57.1%) as compared to female patients (43.1%). Percentage of S. aureus recorded from the ear swab samples in male patients (58.3%) was also high as compared to the female (41.7%). From the nose swab samples, female patients recorded 60% as compared to their male counterparts (40%). Equal percentage (50%) of wound infection caused by S. aureus was observed in both male and female patients. Of the eight antibiotics used in this study, the S. aureus isolated were susceptible to ofloxacin (25 to 36 mm), gentamycin (16 to 23 mm) and erythromycin (11 to 25 mm). All the isolates confirmed resistance to ceftaxidime and cloxacillin. Nine isolates were susceptible to cefuroxime with zones of inhibition that ranged from 10 to 25 mm, while 11 were susceptible to ceftriaxone with zone of inhibition between 11 and 20 mm. Only one isolate was sensitive to augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) with zone of inhibition of 20 mm. Out of three plant extracts used in this study, aqueous leaf extract of Terminalia catappa demonstrated highest antibacterial activity on the test isolates with zone of inhibition of 16 to 36 mm followed by Mangifera indica with inhibition ranging from 11 to 32 mm, while least inhibition ranging from 11 to 20 mm was exhibited by Acalypha wikesiena. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) proved to be useful as genetic markers in determining genetic diversity among antibiotic and plant extract resistant S. aureu

Challenges of soil- transmitted Helminthiasis in some communities in Ondo state, Nigeria

Soil- transmitted helminthiasis is a common public health challenge of developing countries. It has largely contributed in undermining the health status of people and hence jeopardized the economic development of countries concerned. This study aimed at investigating the burden of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in some selected rural communities in Ondo State Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of human soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Stool samples were collected and processed using stool concentration - formalin-ether sedimentation method. Out of the 928 samples collected from volunteers, 149 (16.05%) were infected. The following parasites were isolated: Ascaris lumbricoides, 103(53.7%) 64(33.3%), Trichuris trichiura 17(8.9%) and Strongyloides stercoralis 8(4.17%). Among the risk factors, toilet and water resource facilities were the major sources of transmission. The result obtained justifies the current state of the poor hygiene level in relation to the high occurrence rate of Soil-transmitted helminths among people living in rural settings

Estimation of Global Solar Radiation in Ibadan, Nigeria using Angstrom - Prescott and Glover - Mcculloch’s Model

In this study, the data of mean daily bright sunshine hour for Ibadan was obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at Ibadan. It was used to estimate the monthly mean global solar radiation for Ibadan (latitude and longitude ). The data considered were for a period of 2008 to 2012. Angstrom-Prescott, and Glover & McCulloch’s Models were then used to estimate the mean monthly global solar radiation at Ibadan based on the monthly mean bright sunshine hour data of Ibadan. A new sunshine based model is also proposed to estimate global solar radiation at Ibadan for a period of five years (2008 – 2012). The performance of the models are evaluated by some statistical analysis like mean bias errors, root mean square error, mean percentage error, Nash- Sutcliffe error and coefficient of correlation in order to know the most suitable model. It was discovered that the month of August is the least amount of measured global solar radiation averaged for five years (2008 – 2012) at Ibadan is 9.77kW/m2. The most suitable model for Ibadan is Model 2 (Glover & McCulloch’s Model). The results obtained were validated with data of monthly mean global solar radiation data for Ibadan, obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibada