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The Optimization of Adsorption Potentials of Nigerian Kaolinite Mineral Through Acid Activation
No full textThe adsorption capacities of Nigerian Kaolinite minerals obtained from Share in Kwara State in raw and acid-activated forms towards some heavy metal ions were evaluated. The clay mineral was purified by sedimentation method and modified with 0.1M nitric, sulphuric, phosphoric, acetic, and oxalic acids. The properties of the raw clay and the effects of acid activation were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and BET surface area analyses. Adsorption and desorption studies were subsequently carried out to evaluate the efficiencies of clay samples in removing Pb2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+ ions from aqueous solutions. Effects of operation parameters viz pH, initial concentration, temperature, and time on the adsorption process were determined on the raw samples, and optimum conditions obtained were utilized for evaluation on the acid-activated samples. The acid modification was found to achieve considerable leaching of exchangeable cations on the clay mineral as confirmed by variations of the d-spacings, lowering of peak intensities and changes in absorption bands of the acid-modified samples (A-K (Acetic acid-Kaolinite), N-K (Nitric acid-Kaolinite), O-K (Oxalic acid-Kaolinite), P-K (Phosphoric acid-Kaolinite) and S-K (Sulphuric acid-Kaolinite). The surface areas increased in S-K, O-K and especially N-K (162.227 m2/g) from 114.9457 m2/g [Raw Kaolinite (R-K)] to) but reduced in A-K 112.865 m2/g and P-K (113.872 m2/g). The activated clay samples were found to adsorb higher amounts of all the heavy metal ions studied than the raw form of the clay. Desorption analysis results revealed that the clay mineral can be regenerated and reused. Compared with other methods, modification with dilute acid provides a simple, effective, and environmentally friendly method of improving the surface characteristics of clay minerals to enhance their adsorption capacities as suitable adsorbents for water remediation purposes.
Keywords: Bentonite, Kaolinite, Adsorption, Heavy metals, Desorption
Effects of Sowing Depths on Nutritional Metabolites of Three Cucurbitaceae Species
Get PDFVariations in soil nutrients can influence the nutritional attributes of crops. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying sowing depths (2-8 cm) at 2 cm intervals on the nutritional contents of Luffa cylindrica (LC), Citrullus lanatus (CL) and Citrullus colocynthis (CC) fruits. Proximate, mineral and vitamin contents of seeds and pulps of fruits of the plants were determined. Protein (31.10±0.17 %), crude fibre (4.48±0.02 %), fat (47.13±0.27 %), ash (2.50±0.01 %) and carbohydrate (99.66±0.03 %) were higher (p<0.05) in seeds produced by CC sown at 6 cm compared with other sowing depths. Sodium (23.17±0.02 mg/100 g), potassium (370.47±0.34 mg/100 g), calcium (18.61±0.01 mg/100 g) and copper (0.25±0.01 mg/100 g) were higher in the pulp produced by seeds of LC sown at 6 cm. Similar significant increases were observed in phosphorus (13.28±0.11 mg/100 g), iron( 8.12±0.01 mg/100 g), zinc(8.60±0.06 mg/100 g), and magnesium (2.28±0.01 mg/100 g) in seeds produced by LC seeds sown at 6 cm. Vitamin A (0.58±0.01 mg/100 g) and Vitamin K(0.19±0.15 mg/100 g) were also higher in seeds produced by CL seeds sown at 2 cm, Vitamin C (7.76±0.05 mg/100 g) and vitamin E(0.17±0.00 mg/100 g)in the pulp of CL seeds sown at 4 cm while Vitamin D (1.40±1.33 mg/100 g) was higher in the pulp produced by CC fruits whose seeds were sown at 6 cm. In conclusion, seeds of CC sown at 6 cm contained higher proximate and mineral compositions and vitamins in pulp than CL and LC. Therefore, cultivation of the plants at 4-6 cm is recommended to ensure a higher nutritional content of the plants.
Keywords: Luffa cylindrica, Citrullus lanatus, Citrullus colocynthis, proximate, vitamin
On the action of a fuzzy group on a fuzzy set
Get PDFIn this paper, we develop fundamental concepts required to extend the concept of group action on a set to fuzzy domain. We define product of a fuzzy set and a fuzzy group by using the idea of cartesian products of sets. We construct examples to demonstrate the defined concepts. We also discuss properties of the defined product of a fuzzy set and a fuzzy group as requisite to study of fuzzy group actions on fuzzy sets.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2020). 08A99, 08C05, 22F0
The Nigerian State and Social Protection Under the Buhari Presidency
Get PDFProtecting the vulnerable constituencies against risks, hazards and poverty is a common practice across countries of the world, whether developed or developing. While social protection programming in Nigeria predates political independence, the social protection efforts of the Buhari administration remain the most comprehensive in the history of Africa’s largest economy. The expansive scope/coverage of the administration’s social protection programming is better appreciated when viewed within the context of rising social inequality and poverty in the country as amply evidenced by a recent report of the National Bureau of Statistics. This paper examines the social protection practice of the Buhari administration which was instituted in 2016. Using secondary data and official records, the paper finds that while the social protection programming of the regime is elaborate and ambitious, it has not substantially achieved its intended consequences. The paper identifies challenges impeding the social protection efforts and proposes some mitigating measures.
Defining the Barriers to Electoral Participation for Persons with Disabilities in the 2019 General Elections in Oyo State
Get PDFOne of the main goals of the international movement for sustainable development, supported by the UN, is the quest for the political inclusion of people with disabilities in political participation generally and the electoral process specifically. In Nigeria, there seem to be no formal barriers to electoral participation of persons with disabilities. However, the electoral participation of persons with disabilities seems to be minimal. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the barriers to electoralparticipation for persons with disabilities in the 2019 general elections in Oyo state, Nigeria. Oyo state is selected for this study because the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo has the largest conglomeration of disabled students that could be found in any higher institution in Nigeria. This study opted for a mixed method by utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. For the quantitative method, this study utilized the descriptive survey research design. For the qualitativemethod, focus group discussion was utilized to collect data from the members of the Joint Actions of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWP) Oyo chapter. 400 questionnaires were distributed to disabled persons who are purposively selected for the survey. In analyzing the data, the quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Data and evidence gathered from the field were analysed through the use of bar chart and percentage. The qualitative data were analysed using narrative analysistechnique. The findings revealed that the predominant barriers to electoral participation for persons with disabilities were lack of access to polling stations, stigmatization and financial constraint, while the minor barriers were lack of support from INEC officials, information accessibility and unsupportive legislation. The study concluded that stigmatization and discrimination of persons with disabilities could further lead to low electoral participation of disabled people in election. It is therefore recommended that creating an enabling environment that promotes accessibility and eliminatesdiscriminatory practices against PWDs will do the magic
Effective Succession Planning and Employees’ Retention in Multi–Trex Integrated Food Plc, Lagos
Get PDFOrganizations throughout the world are experiencing a talent shortage in this competitive era, thus placing pressure on human resource managers to strategically implement an effective succession planning that is capable of attracting, fostering, and guaranteeing the retention of the greatest talents in the workplace. This study examines the impact of effective succession planning on the retention of employees in Multi – Trex Integrated Food Plc, Lagos. This was with the use of structured questionnaire. The employed descriptive statistics included simple percentages and tables, while inferential statistics adopted regression analysis. The findings of the study showed a significant impact of (i) mentorship on the employee’s retention; and (ii) coaching on the employee’s retention in the organization. The study concluded that there was significant impact of effective succession planning on employees’ retention in Multi – Trex Integrated Food Plc, Lagos. The study recommended the creation of regulations that allow employees to be easily identified and selected while streamlining succession planning to the corporate goals and objectives.
Keywords
Employee retention, succession planning, talent management, organizatio
The Assessment of Adolescent Girls\u27 Menstrual Hygiene Knowledge and Practice in Ede South Local Government Secondary Schools, Ede, Osun State
No full textThe onset of menstruation denotes a landmark event in the pubertal development of the adolescent girl. Adolescent girls should have adequate knowledge of menstrual hygiene before menarche. Lack of adequate knowledge and good menstrual hygiene practices can have far-reaching consequences for a girl\u27s well-being, dignity, reproductive health, and sexual health. Hygiene-related practices during menstruation are of considerable importance. This study assessed the knowledge and Practice of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in Ede South local government secondary schools, Ede, Osun State. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The study population was adolescent girls between the ages of 10 and 19 who have attained menarche, using multi-stage sampling as the sampling technique. A structured questionnaire comprising three sections was used to elicit information from the respondents. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The result showed that the majority (62.6%) of the respondents were between 16 and 18 years old and had attained menarche at 13. Most respondents had heard about menstruation before menarche (85.0%), and mothers (79.1%) were the primary source of information. Most (89.70%) respondents had good knowledge of menstrual hygiene. Also, most (53.0%) respondents had good menstrual hygiene practices. In the test for the hypothesis, there is a significant association between sociodemographic characteristics such as tribe, class, age at menarche, and the Practice of menstrual hygiene. There is also a significant relationship between knowledge and Practice of menstrual hygiene (p = 0.017). This study concluded that the majority of the respondents had good knowledge as well as good practice regarding menstrual hygiene.
Keywords: Menstrual Hygiene, Adolescents, Knowledge, Practic
Stock Market Capitalisation and Economic Growth in Nigeria (1991 – 2021)
Get PDFThe study examined the relationship between Stock Market Capitalisation and economic growth in Nigeria. Specifically, the study aimed at examining the effect of stock market corporate bond on gross domestic product in Nigeria, examining the effect of government securities on gross domestic product in Nigeria and determining the effect of equities on gross domestic product in Nigeria. Secondary data from 1991 to 2021 were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin. Multiple Regressions were used to analyse the data collected and Minitab statistical package were used to present the results. Findings revealed that there was a negative correlation between dependentand independent variables. Findings revealed that there was an overall significant relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The study therefore recommends that Stock Exchange Market should encourage Nigerian Investors to have the habit of investing greatly in Government Securities; this will have a good effect on Gross Domestic Product. Nigerian Exchange Group should make the Investors know the beauty of Corporate Bonds. Investors should be encouraged by the stock exchange market to invest greatly in Equities in order to have a high impact on the value of Gross Domestic Product
Analysis and simulation of HIV/AIDS transmission dynamics and control strategies
Get PDFAbstract
HIV/AIDS is a fatal illness that weakens the immune system of the body, making the victim susceptible to several opportunistic infections. The analysis and numerical simulation of the proposed epidemic model of HIV/AIDS with vertical transmission was carried out. The disease free and endemic equilibrium of the model were obtained and the basic reproduction number was established. Numerical simulations using the homotropy perturbation method was employed to demonstrate the efficacy of the key findings. The results of the simulation were graphically presented and interpreted.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, disease free equilibrium, endemic equilibrium, Laplace Adomian decomposition
Radiation Mapping of Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria, Measuring The Status of Radioactivity
Get PDFThe Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster happened in Japan long ago in 2011, and it resulted in the emission of radioactive substances into the atmosphere. These substances were transported by air currents and were detected in several parts of the world, including Nigeria. In the aftermath of the event, it has become necessary to determine the spatial distribution of radioactivity within Osun state. This present study aims to investigate and identify areas of high gamma radiation in Osun State. This study utilised a Garmin GPS and a Geiger Muller counter radiation detector over the entire state. This study presents a radiation map of Osun state. It shows that the region has an elevation range of 190 m to 600 m, and the elevation chart shows that in comparison to the extreme south of the research region, the extreme north is distinguished by high heights. The average ionising radiation within the state ranges from 0.08 to 0.3l µSv/hr. Places including Ila, Boluwaduro and Obokun recorded the highest elevation, which in turn also had the highest dose of gamma radiation, while Ife North, Ife South, Isokan, and Irewole axis recorded their lowest figures of elevation and also had low doses of gamma radiation. The average annual effective dose rate was 0.33 mSvy-1 which is greater than 0.07 mSvy-1 for outdoor exposure. Therefore, it is important to take appropriate safety measures by wearing protection shields to avoid or minimise exposure to high levels of gamma radiation.
Keywords: Fukushima Daiichi, Gamma Radiation, Geiger Muller Counter, Radiation Map, Annual Effective Dos