24 research outputs found
Les commissions électorales en Afrique de l'Ouest
No full text[author: Mathias Hounkpe ; Ismaila Madior Fall]Electronic ed.: Abuja ; Bonn : FES, 201
Crescentia cujete fruit shell as green and efficient coagulant for water purification
No full textConventional drinking water treatment facilities employ coagulants, typically alum and ferric sulfate to remove turbidity and improve the clarity of the water. While alum for example, is naturally occurring and has no known health hazards when used in the right amount for water treatment, there is growing concern about the sustainability and environmental impacts of these inorganic coagulants. To explore a cost-effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly alternative, we investigated the shell of calabash fruit (Crescentia cujete) as a plant-based natural and eco-friendly coagulant. Although the plant has been extensively studied for its medicinal purposes this is the first report of its potential use as a coagulant in water treatment. Using Jar Test experiments and statistical analysis, we found that the coagulant obtained from Crescentia cujete was able to reduce the turbidity of the water by 84.3% at an optimal dosage of only 1.0 g/L. Zeta potential and particle size diameter were determined using Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern Instruments Ltd., UK) and found to be −3.42 mV and 2.55 × 104 d.nm respectively. The plant sample was further characterized via FT-IR analyses and was found to be largely composed of hemicellulosic materials, which likely contributed to the effectiveness of the coagulant
A review of the sources, distribution sequences, and health risks associated with exposure to atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
No full textAbstractAtmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are associated with adverse health effects in exposed populations. Understanding PAH pollution in ambient air and its adverse impacts is essential for developing effective actions for combating air pollution. This review paper summarised and discussed the findings of research work that determined the concentrations, distribution sequence, and health risk exposure levels of atmospheric PAHs in cities worldwide. It also gave an overview of the sources and the methodology for appraising the health risk of exposure to atmospheric PAHs. Eighty-five articles published in peer-reviewed journals from 2010 to 2023 were identified in academic research databases, with 55 reporting on sources and distribution of atmospheric PAHs, while 30 evaluated the health risk of exposure to PAHs in ambient air. The narrative review approach was employed to critically analyse and produce descriptive summaries of distribution patterns and health risk exposure levels of atmospheric PAHs in a tabular form. The review showed that the total PAH concentration in urban areas was about eight times greater than in rural environments and emanated from diverse sources. However, vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions were the primary sources of atmospheric PAHs. The distribution sequence of PAHs in particulate and gas phases was HMW>MMW>LMW PAHs and LMW>MMW>HMW PAHs, respectively. Chronic exposure to PAHs in the environment increased the risk of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. Adoption of stricter emission standards, cleaner energy sources, and more efficient industrial technology will aid in the reduction of particulate PAH pollution and its negative health consequences in urban areas
The Photolytic Cleavage of Methylpyridinecobaloxime [Co(CH3)(dmgH)2(py)] as a Mimetic of Vitamin B12
No full textThe photolytic reactions of the methylpyridinecobaloxime, Co(CH3)(dmgH)2(py) were examined first in benzene and then in a mixture of acetonitrile, hydrogen peroxide and toluene using sunlight and 450 Watts Hanovia UV lamp. While in the first, toluene was produced, the later produced a mixture of products that is o, p, m cresol and benzaldehyde. The photolytic reaction of vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) was also examined in benzene and hydrogen peroxide using sunlight. Phenol was produced. All the products formed were separated and characterized by IR and GC–MS. The formation of these products indicates that hydroxyl radicals were generated analogous to Fenton reaction and that both vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) and methylpyridinecobaloxime, Co(CH3)(dmgH)2(py) undergoesthe same photolytic cleavage of the Co-C bond
Application of Electromagnetic and Electrical Resistivity Methods for Borehole Siting in Low-Grade Metavolcanic and Metasedimentary Rocks, Sunyani West, Ghana
No full textThis paper employs the electromagnetic (EM) and the electrical resistivity methods for siting boreholes for communities in the Sunyani-West district of Ghana, a terrane comprising a mixture of granites and low-grade metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. These communities which depend on groundwater for livelihood have over the past few decades been hit by drastic seasonal irregularities in rainfall, making it imperative to seek an alternative source of potable water (preferably groundwater). Measurements to locate sites for boreholes were made by employing the Geonics EM-34 conductivity meter. In addition, co-located measurements were made with the ABEM SAS 1000C Terrameter in the Schlumberger electrode array configuration. Results of the measurements showed that each community could have at least two borehole sites with a high potential for groundwater extraction. The overburden of selected sites varied for the communities and ranged from 40 to 67 m. However, recommended drilling depths at these sites were 60 m for Adwinsa community, 70 m for Akurakan community and 60 m for Nana Ameyaw community. Test boreholes sunk at respective depths of 45 m, 55 m and 68 m in Adwinsa, Nana Ameyaw and Akurakan had yields of 12 m3/h (200 l/min), 24 m3/h (400 l/min) and 1.14 m3/h (19 l/min) respectively. In all three communities the aquifer was intercepted in phyllite bedrocks. Keywords: aquifer, groundwater potential, borehole, electrical resistivity, vertical electrical sounding, conductivity DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-10-05 Publication date:October 31st 202
The Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decrees (1972 and 1977) and indigenisation in Nigeria
No full textThe thesis is a comprehensive examination of the Nigerian
Enterprises Promotion Decrees of 1972 and 1977, and more broadly
of the process of indigenisation in Nigeria.
A brief introduction to the historical background of indigenisation
before 1970 is followed by an account of the timing of the Decrees
in the context of the oil boom in the country's economy. An
examination of the problems encountered in implementing the Decrees
and their effects, and an analysis of the distribution of benefits,
is informed by empirical research including interviews, carried out
by the author in Nigeria between 1982 and 1985.
The record shows that indigenisation has led to the consolidation
of an economy which accommodates the interests of ex-State personnel,
the State as an institution, private indigenous businessmen and
foreign capital, in an order which is far from certain to bring about
the national economic independence which, in official terms, is the
chief objective.
Nigeria's commitment to capitalism and the promotion of
Indigenous private enterprise, on the basis of resources generated
initially by the agricultural economy, between the 1940s and 1960s,
and then much more spectacularly and more significantly by oil
revenues in the 1970s, provides an instructive example of the limits
to what a post-colonial society in black Africa can achieve by trying
to indigenise the ownership structure of its economy
Determinants of Trust in B2C E-commerce and Their Relationship with Consumer Online Trust
No full textDeterminants of trust in B2C e-commerce and their relationship with consumer online trust
No full textCOVID-19 in Africa: rethinking the tools to manage future pandemics
No full textCorona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains an incurable, progressive pneumonia-like illness characterized by fever, dry cough, fatigue, and headache during its early stages. COVID-19 has ultimately resulted in mortality in at least 2 million people worldwide. Millions of people globally have already been affected by this disease, and the numbers are expected to increase, perhaps until an effective cure or vaccine is identified.Although Africa was initially purported by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be severely hit by the pandemic, Africa recorded the least number of cases during the first wave, with lowest rates of infections, compared to Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This statistic might be attributed to the low testing capacity, existing public health awareness and lessons learnt during Ebola epidemic. Nonetheless, the relatively low rate of infection should be an opportunity for Africa to be better prepared to overcome this and future epidemics.In this paper, the authors provide insights into the dynamics and transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) during the first wave of the pandemic; possible explanations into the relatively low rates of infection recorded in Africa; with recommendations for Africa to continue to fight Covid-19; and position itself to effectively manage future pandemics.
Keywords: Covid-19; Ebola; Science Leadership in Africa; Vaccine; SARS-COV-2; Preventative Health; Future Pandemics
An Approach of Exergy Analysis of Human Physiological Response in the Outdoor Conditions during Blocklaying in Ogun State, Nigeria
No full textThis work was borne out due to the fact that little or no research has been done on the outdoor
condition of Nigeria workers most especially the mason activities during blocklaying. Author AIM made
substantial contribution researching into the potential energy which is the exergy needed to perform a
physical job of blocklaying in outdoor environment. Author AIM equally developed a model which is a
modification of Fanger (1970) which has been in existence over 40 years ago. The co-authors
contributed by initiating the project research, verifying every step of the research and monitoring the
field work in a view to collect a very accurate environmental and physiological response data. The coauthors
also developed part of the draft, proof read the complete draft and issued an approval for the
submission. This work was carried out between author AIM and co-authors. Author and co-authors
read and approved the final manuscript
