Mercury accumulation in fishes from tropical aquatic ecosystems in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Fishes are important biomarkers of trace elements in aquatic ecosystems, and are used to evaluate the status of water pollution by mercury in tropical aquatic ecosystems in Nigeria. Common fishes, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus,Brycinus nurse, Hemichromis fasciatus, Lutianus ava, Oreochromis nilotica, Pomadasys jubelini, Stellifer stellifer and Tilapia guineensis were analysed for Hg accumulation using the cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The results showed that Hg concentration in P. jubelini was relatively the highest, with a mean concentration of 0.063 ± 0.03 mg kg–1. Other concentration values were 0.044 ± 0.031 mg kg–1 for O. nilotica, 0.026 ± 0.013 mg kg–1 for B. nurse, 0.034 ± 0.034 mg kg–1 for H. fasciatus, 0.023 ± 0.020 mg kg–1 for C. nigrodigitatus and 0.33 ± 0.016 mg kg–1 for L. ava. Concentrations of Hg accumulated by the fishes were low and within internationally accepted limit, not likely to cause mercury poisoning. Because of the high Hg accumulating potential of P. jubelini, it is recommended as a biomarker for assessment of Hg toxicity in a tropical aquatic environment

A Modified Arnoldi Iteration for Transition Probability Matrices of Reversible Markov Chains.

M.S. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2018

An Assessment of Entrepreneurship Involvement among Undergraduate Students of Cross River State University of Technology, Ogoja Campus, Cross Rive State

The study evaluated entrepreneurship involvement among undergraduate students of Cross River State University of Technology, Ogoja Campus, Cross Rive State. Data was obtained through the administration of a structured questionnaire to undergraduate students with personal business irrespective of the scale. Result indicated that family knowledge and natural ability did not determine students’ entrepreneurship involvement but the need for money, desire to become self-dependence and the desire to be employers of labour. The study identified University entrepreneurship internship programme and parental occupation as main sources of entrepreneurship awareness accruable to university students. Furthermore, fund from parents and personal savings were the main sources of capital used to start a business.  Pearson’s correlation showed a high, positive and significant association between students' involvement in entrepreneurship and income diversification (0.97, P<0.01). Independent samples test indicated that entrepreneurship motivation between male and female students differs (t = 12.767, P<0.05). The study based on the result obtained suggested that the universities in Nigeria should add more valves to their graduate by incorporating into their curriculum elements that enhance the development of entrepreneurial attitudes and self-efficacy. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Student involvement, Undergraduate students, Source of capita

Effect of Cashew Nut Shell Ash on Volumetric Shrinkage of Compacted Clay Soil

Hydraulic conductivity value of a compacted clay soil can rise above the minimum regulatory value during desiccation thereby induces large cracks in an engineered landfill. In the quest to reduce the degree of cracking that will be generated dues to the volumetric shrinkage of the compacted clay soil, which in turn will reduce the amount of leachate that will be percolating into the underground water system, an investigation was performed by treating a clay soil with up to 16% Cashew Nut Shell Ash (CNSA) content using three compactive efforts (Standard proctor (SP), West African standard (WAS) and Modified Proctor (MP)) at -2, 0, 2 and 4% of optimum moisture content (OMC). Samples were extruded from the compaction moulds and placed on the laboratory table to air dry for 30 days at a uniform regulated temperature of 27 ± 2Oc in order to evaluate the suitability of the material for the construction of cover and liner in an engineered landfill. Results indicated that the OMC and maximum dry density (MDD) increased with higher CNSA treatment.  Volumetric shrinkage strain (VSS) increased with; higher CNSA, higher molding moisture content and moisture content relative to the optimum. Effect of CNSA on the soil showed that all specimens prepared at 2% dry of optimum to 4% wet of optimum for 4% and 8% soil-CNSA mixtures for the three compactive efforts, met the maximum allowable regulatory VSS criterion of4%, thus making the material suitable for the construction of cover and liner in waste dumping ground

Petroleum Hydrocarbons Contamination of Sediments and Accumulation in Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula from the Qua Iboe Mangrove Ecosystem, Nigeria

The pollution of coastal ecosystems as a result of petroleum-related activities is increasing, and the literature on occurrence, levels and seasonal dynamics of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments and biota from the impacted areas of the Niger Delta, Nigeria, is practically scanty. This study was set out to provide information on the status of contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons in Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula and sediments from Qua Iboe Estuary, Nigeria. Analyses for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) were performed on Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula and sediment extracts using gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Seventy-two samples each of mangrove epipellic (intertidal) and benthic (subtidal) sediments, and T. fuscatus var. radula were analysed monthly between June 2003 and February 2004, covering peak periods of the wet and dry seasons. Results revealed that the TPHs level in sediments and T. fuscatus were highly variable. It ranged between 18.01 ± 0.04 and 210.23 ± 1.18 μg g–1 dry wt of epipellic sediment, 5.00 ± 0.82 and 232.00 ± 3.23 μg g–1 dry wt of benthic sediment and 9.40 ± 1.0 and 23.27 ± 1.0 μg g–1 dry wt of T. fuscatus. Summary continuous descriptives and correlation analyses revealed that TPH levels of the epipellic and benthic sediments showed a significant relation (r = 0.54, CI = 0.18–0.78), and correlated with levels in T. fuscatus. The overall levels of TPHs in the Qua Iboe Estuary when compared to similar ecosystems with substantial industrial and domestic coastal activities worldwide, revealed a moderate to high level of mineral hydrocarbon pollutio

The Dilemma of Male Child Preference Vis-À-Vis the Role of Women in the Yoruba Traditional Religion and Society

In Africa and other parts of the world, there has always been tension over the preference of the male child over his female counterpart. Such preference sometimes hinges on the biased perception of women through ages and other misconceptions which have continued to survive in many societies. Consequently, it is not strange that the male child enjoys a preferential desirability and treatment over the female child. This is true of most African societies, of which the Yoruba society is inclusive. Nevertheless, a contextual study of the role of women in the African societies in general, and the Yoruba in particular, reveals not only the enormous roles and contributions of women, but various institutions that enabled their religious and social functions. A careful examination of this concept- its rationale and implications, especially in the light of the roles of women in the society give no justification for this preference. Using random sampling, the study examined the perception of 100 Yoruba respondents on the rationale for and implications of male child preference and the role of women in the Yoruba religion and society. The result shows that whereas the idea of male preference is evident, women serve as society stabilizers. Indeed their roles touch on two important aspects of life- religious and the social aspect of life. Religiously, they have been ascribed important and indispensable roles. Socially, they meet the basic needs of man – of care, hospitality, and availability to render supportive services. Among the Yoruba, women are perceived to be honesty and submissive. These and other sterling qualities place them at a vantage point where they serve humanity. Consequently, we conclude that giving the female children adequate educational training, encouragement and support will be of immeasurable benefit to any family and society. Keywords: Male-child, Women, Culture, Yoruba, Preferenc