Comparative electrooxidation of nitrite by electrodeposited Co (II), Fe (II) and Mn (III) tetrakis (benzylmercapto) and tetrakis (dodecylmercapto) phthalocyanines on gold electrodes
- Agboola, Bolade, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281212 , vital:55702 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2007.01.031"
- Description: This work reports on the electrooxidation of nitrite using Co(II), Fe(II) and Mn(III) tetrakis (benzylmercapto) and tetrakis (dodecylmercapto) phthalocyanines electrodeposited onto a gold electrode. Good catalytic activity (in terms of lowering overpotential) was obtained for these molecules when compared to previously reported MPc catalysts. The catalytic current was found to vary linearly with nitrite concentration in the range employed in this work (0.1–1 mM) and high sensitivities ranging from 6.9 to 9.9 μA mM−1 were observed for all the modified electrodes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281212 , vital:55702 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2007.01.031"
- Description: This work reports on the electrooxidation of nitrite using Co(II), Fe(II) and Mn(III) tetrakis (benzylmercapto) and tetrakis (dodecylmercapto) phthalocyanines electrodeposited onto a gold electrode. Good catalytic activity (in terms of lowering overpotential) was obtained for these molecules when compared to previously reported MPc catalysts. The catalytic current was found to vary linearly with nitrite concentration in the range employed in this work (0.1–1 mM) and high sensitivities ranging from 6.9 to 9.9 μA mM−1 were observed for all the modified electrodes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Comparative efficiency of immobilized non-transition metal phthalocyanine photosensitizers for the visible light transformation of chlorophenols
- Agboola, Bolade, Ozoemena, Kenneth I, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Ozoemena, Kenneth I , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/286043 , vital:56233 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2005.12.009"
- Description: Photolysis of aqueous solutions of chlorophenols (4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol) in the presence of immobilized non-transition metal phthalocyanine photosensitizers onto Amberlite® is presented. The photosensitizers studied are: Al (AlOCPc) and Zn (ZnOCPc) octacarboxyphthalocyanines; Al (AlPcS4) and Zn (ZnPcS4) tetrasulfophthalocyanines; sulfonated phthalocyanine complexes (containing mixtures of differently substituted derivatives) of Al (AlPcSmix), Zn (ZnPcSmix), Ge (GePcSmix), Si (SiPcSmix) and Sn (SnPcSmix). Photolysis of the chlorophenols resulted mainly in the formation of chlorobenzoquinone derivatives. The complexes showed order of activity towards the transformation of pentachlorophenol as follows: ZnOCPc > SiPcSmix > SnPcSmix > ZnPcSmix > GePcSmix > ZnPcS4 > AlPcSmix > AlOCPc > AlPcS4. The generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) by these immobilized MPc photosensitizers was found to play a major role in their photoactivities towards the transformation of these chlorophenols. Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) kinetic model studies showed that the ZnOCPc, GePcSmix and ZnPcSmix photocatalysis occurred on the catalysts surface. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Ozoemena, Kenneth I , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/286043 , vital:56233 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2005.12.009"
- Description: Photolysis of aqueous solutions of chlorophenols (4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol) in the presence of immobilized non-transition metal phthalocyanine photosensitizers onto Amberlite® is presented. The photosensitizers studied are: Al (AlOCPc) and Zn (ZnOCPc) octacarboxyphthalocyanines; Al (AlPcS4) and Zn (ZnPcS4) tetrasulfophthalocyanines; sulfonated phthalocyanine complexes (containing mixtures of differently substituted derivatives) of Al (AlPcSmix), Zn (ZnPcSmix), Ge (GePcSmix), Si (SiPcSmix) and Sn (SnPcSmix). Photolysis of the chlorophenols resulted mainly in the formation of chlorobenzoquinone derivatives. The complexes showed order of activity towards the transformation of pentachlorophenol as follows: ZnOCPc > SiPcSmix > SnPcSmix > ZnPcSmix > GePcSmix > ZnPcS4 > AlPcSmix > AlOCPc > AlPcS4. The generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) by these immobilized MPc photosensitizers was found to play a major role in their photoactivities towards the transformation of these chlorophenols. Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) kinetic model studies showed that the ZnOCPc, GePcSmix and ZnPcSmix photocatalysis occurred on the catalysts surface. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Hydrogen peroxide oxidation of 2-chlorophenol and 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenol catalyzed by monomeric and aggregated cobalt tetrasulfophthalocyanine
- Agboola, Bolade, Ozoemena, Kenneth I, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Ozoemena, Kenneth I , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289249 , vital:56612 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2004.10.041"
- Description: Cobalt tetrasulfophthalocyanine (CoTSPc) was used to catalyze the oxidation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxidant. This CoTSPc catalyzed hydrogen peroxide oxidation of chlorophenols resulted in the formation of different types of oxidation products depending on the solvent conditions. In water/methanol conditions (where CoTSPc is mainly monomeric, and unionized forms of the phenols), phenol and hydroquinone were the main oxidation products, while in phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7 and 10 for TCP and 2-CP, respectively, where CoTSPc is mainly aggregated, and ionized forms of the phenols), benzoquinone was the main product. In contrast to CoTSPc, other MTSPc complexes studied (AlTSPc, CuTSPc and NiTSPc) exhibited no detectable catalytic effect on the oxidation of chlorophenols under the experimental conditions employed, thus proving the effect of the central metal ions on efficient catalysis of chlorophenol. Reaction pathways are proposed based on the relative time of oxidation products formation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Ozoemena, Kenneth I , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/289249 , vital:56612 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2004.10.041"
- Description: Cobalt tetrasulfophthalocyanine (CoTSPc) was used to catalyze the oxidation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxidant. This CoTSPc catalyzed hydrogen peroxide oxidation of chlorophenols resulted in the formation of different types of oxidation products depending on the solvent conditions. In water/methanol conditions (where CoTSPc is mainly monomeric, and unionized forms of the phenols), phenol and hydroquinone were the main oxidation products, while in phosphate buffer solutions (pH 7 and 10 for TCP and 2-CP, respectively, where CoTSPc is mainly aggregated, and ionized forms of the phenols), benzoquinone was the main product. In contrast to CoTSPc, other MTSPc complexes studied (AlTSPc, CuTSPc and NiTSPc) exhibited no detectable catalytic effect on the oxidation of chlorophenols under the experimental conditions employed, thus proving the effect of the central metal ions on efficient catalysis of chlorophenol. Reaction pathways are proposed based on the relative time of oxidation products formation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Comparative electrooxidation of sulphite by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of Co (II), Fe (II), Ni (II) and Mn (III) tetrakis benzylmercapto and dodecylmercapto metallophthalocyanines complexes on gold electrodes
- Agboola, Bolade, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281223 , vital:55703 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2006.11.042"
- Description: This work reports on the use of Co(II), Fe(II), Mn(III) and Ni(II) tetrakis benzylmercapto and dodecylmercapto phthalocyanine complexes for gold electrode modification for electrooxidation of sulphite ions. The complexes were successfully used to modify gold electrodes by self-assembled monolayer (SAM) technique. The self-assembled films are stable and showed blocking characteristics towards the following Faradaic processes; gold surface oxidation, underpotential deposition (UPD) of copper and solution redox chemistry of [Fe(H2O)63+]/[Fe(H2O)62+]. All the modified electrodes showed improved catalytic activities than the unmodified gold electrode towards sulphite ion electrooxidation with all the modified electrodes exhibiting high resistance to electrode surface passivation. Better catalytic performance were obtained for the CoPcs, FePcs and MnPcs which have metal based redox processes within the range of the sulphite electrooxidation peak, while the NiPcs which did not show metal based redox reaction performed less. The catalytic current was found to be linear with sulphite ion concentration in the concentration range employed in this work (0.1–1 mM) and sensitivities ranging from 1.68 to 2.96 μA/mM were observed for all the modified electrodes. Mechanisms of the catalytic oxidation of sulphite ions are proposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281223 , vital:55703 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2006.11.042"
- Description: This work reports on the use of Co(II), Fe(II), Mn(III) and Ni(II) tetrakis benzylmercapto and dodecylmercapto phthalocyanine complexes for gold electrode modification for electrooxidation of sulphite ions. The complexes were successfully used to modify gold electrodes by self-assembled monolayer (SAM) technique. The self-assembled films are stable and showed blocking characteristics towards the following Faradaic processes; gold surface oxidation, underpotential deposition (UPD) of copper and solution redox chemistry of [Fe(H2O)63+]/[Fe(H2O)62+]. All the modified electrodes showed improved catalytic activities than the unmodified gold electrode towards sulphite ion electrooxidation with all the modified electrodes exhibiting high resistance to electrode surface passivation. Better catalytic performance were obtained for the CoPcs, FePcs and MnPcs which have metal based redox processes within the range of the sulphite electrooxidation peak, while the NiPcs which did not show metal based redox reaction performed less. The catalytic current was found to be linear with sulphite ion concentration in the concentration range employed in this work (0.1–1 mM) and sensitivities ranging from 1.68 to 2.96 μA/mM were observed for all the modified electrodes. Mechanisms of the catalytic oxidation of sulphite ions are proposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Synthesis and electrochemical properties of benzyl-mercapto and dodecyl-mercapto tetrasubstituted manganese phthalocyanine complexes
- Agboola, Bolade, Ozoemena, Kenneth I, Westbroek, Philippe, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Ozoemena, Kenneth I , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281321 , vital:55713 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2006.09.002"
- Description: Manganese tetrakis (benzyl-mercapto) phthalocyanine (MnTBMPc) and manganese tetrakis (dodecyl-mercapto) phthalocyanine (MnTDMPc) complexes were synthesized and their spectral and electrochemical properties are reported. Cyclic voltammetric data showed three reversible to quasi-reversible and two irreversible redox processes for both complexes. Ring substituents influenced the positions of both oxidation and reduction redox couples. Spectroelectrochemistry confirmed the first two reductions to be due to MnIIIPc2−/MnIIPc2− and MnIIPc3−/MnIIPc2− processes. The first example of a formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) using thiol substituted MnPc complexes is presented, the SAMs were found to show blocking characteristics towards some faradaic reactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Ozoemena, Kenneth I , Westbroek, Philippe , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281321 , vital:55713 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2006.09.002"
- Description: Manganese tetrakis (benzyl-mercapto) phthalocyanine (MnTBMPc) and manganese tetrakis (dodecyl-mercapto) phthalocyanine (MnTDMPc) complexes were synthesized and their spectral and electrochemical properties are reported. Cyclic voltammetric data showed three reversible to quasi-reversible and two irreversible redox processes for both complexes. Ring substituents influenced the positions of both oxidation and reduction redox couples. Spectroelectrochemistry confirmed the first two reductions to be due to MnIIIPc2−/MnIIPc2− and MnIIPc3−/MnIIPc2− processes. The first example of a formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) using thiol substituted MnPc complexes is presented, the SAMs were found to show blocking characteristics towards some faradaic reactions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Electrocatalytic oxidation of chlorophenols by electropolymerised nickel (II) tetrakis benzylmercapto and dodecylmercapto metallophthalocyanines complexes on gold electrodes
- Agboola, Bolade, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281247 , vital:55705 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2007.02.017"
- Description: This work reports on the use of nickel(II) tetrakis benzylmercapto (NiTBMPc) and dodecylmercapto (NiTDMPc) metallophthalocyanine complexes films on gold electrodes for the electrochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP). Both NiTBMPc and NiTDMPc complexes were successfully deposited on gold electrodes by electropolymerisation. The films were electro-transformed in aqueous 0.1 M NaOH solution to the ‘O–Ni–O oxo’ bridged form. For both complexes, films with different thickness were prepared and characterised by electrochemical impedance and UV–vis (on indium tin oxide) spectroscopies and the results showed typical behaviour for modified electrodes with increasing charge transfer resistance values (Rp) with polymer thickness. The poly-Ni(OH)NiPcs showed better catalytic activity than their poly-NiPcs counterparts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281247 , vital:55705 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2007.02.017"
- Description: This work reports on the use of nickel(II) tetrakis benzylmercapto (NiTBMPc) and dodecylmercapto (NiTDMPc) metallophthalocyanine complexes films on gold electrodes for the electrochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP). Both NiTBMPc and NiTDMPc complexes were successfully deposited on gold electrodes by electropolymerisation. The films were electro-transformed in aqueous 0.1 M NaOH solution to the ‘O–Ni–O oxo’ bridged form. For both complexes, films with different thickness were prepared and characterised by electrochemical impedance and UV–vis (on indium tin oxide) spectroscopies and the results showed typical behaviour for modified electrodes with increasing charge transfer resistance values (Rp) with polymer thickness. The poly-Ni(OH)NiPcs showed better catalytic activity than their poly-NiPcs counterparts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Tuning the physico-electrochemical properties of novel cobalt (II) octa [(3, 5-biscarboxylate)-phenoxy] phthalocyanine complex using phenylamine-functionalised SWCNTs
- Agboola, Bolade O, Ozoemena, Kenneth I, Nyokong, Tebello, Fukuda, Takamitsu, Kobayashi, Nagao
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade O , Ozoemena, Kenneth I , Nyokong, Tebello , Fukuda, Takamitsu , Kobayashi, Nagao
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/261692 , vital:53435 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2009.10.023"
- Description: The integration of phenylamine-functionalised SWCNTs (SWCNT-phenylamine) with a novel cobalt (II) octa[(3,5-biscarboxylate)-phenoxy] phthalocyanine (CoOBPPc) complex has been described. The physical and electrochemical properties of the CoOBPPc-SWCNT-phenylamine hybrid were evaluated using spectroscopy (IR and UV–vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy and electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). Integration of SWCNT-phenylamine resulted in the physical transformation of the CoOBCPPc from the usually bluish colour of cobalt phthalocyanine complexes to a beautiful bright green colour. In addition, the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics and electrocatalytic properties of the CoOBCPPc were greatly enhanced following the attachment of the SWCNT-phenylamine. The potential electrocatalytic application of the hybrid was tested using β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) as a model biological analyte. Interestingly, the onset oxidation potential of this analyte was significantly reduced (300 mV) by this hybrid compared to the bare electrode.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Agboola, Bolade O , Ozoemena, Kenneth I , Nyokong, Tebello , Fukuda, Takamitsu , Kobayashi, Nagao
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/261692 , vital:53435 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2009.10.023"
- Description: The integration of phenylamine-functionalised SWCNTs (SWCNT-phenylamine) with a novel cobalt (II) octa[(3,5-biscarboxylate)-phenoxy] phthalocyanine (CoOBPPc) complex has been described. The physical and electrochemical properties of the CoOBPPc-SWCNT-phenylamine hybrid were evaluated using spectroscopy (IR and UV–vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy and electrochemistry (cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). Integration of SWCNT-phenylamine resulted in the physical transformation of the CoOBCPPc from the usually bluish colour of cobalt phthalocyanine complexes to a beautiful bright green colour. In addition, the heterogeneous electron transfer kinetics and electrocatalytic properties of the CoOBCPPc were greatly enhanced following the attachment of the SWCNT-phenylamine. The potential electrocatalytic application of the hybrid was tested using β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) as a model biological analyte. Interestingly, the onset oxidation potential of this analyte was significantly reduced (300 mV) by this hybrid compared to the bare electrode.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The relative suitability of knowledge paradigms to indigenous African resource management and their implications for environmental bioethics, environmental policy and food security
- Authors: Agbor Ambang, Oscar Mbi
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , M.Pharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163091 , vital:41011
- Description: Thesis (M.Pharm)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2020.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Agbor Ambang, Oscar Mbi
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , M.Pharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163091 , vital:41011
- Description: Thesis (M.Pharm)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2020.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
The changing face of NEPAD and the challenges of facilitating sub-regional economic integration on the ECOWAS platform
- Authors: Agomuonso, Udo Robertson
- Date: 2013-03
- Subjects: New Partnership for Africa's Development , Economic Community of West African States , Sustainable development -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24783 , vital:63573
- Description: This research is intended to evaluate and study the challenges confronting NEPAD’s quest for sub regional economic integration in the ECOWAS domain. Political and economic integration has been part of African strategy to overcome fragmentation, marginalization and improve the continent’s position in the global political economy. Indeed, Africa needs integration more than any other continent or region in the world and this is why, it has had a fair share of regional integration arrangements all through her history. Unfortunately, these efforts have not paid off in the dimension of desired expectations. When NEPAD was established, it was given regional integration responsibilities, even though it was not a regional organization. It was mandated to drive regional integration in Africa by supporting the regional integration efforts of the regional economic institutions in Africa. After 10 years of existence, African leaders dissolved NEPAD and in its place, instituted the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA). This move was orchestrated by the seemingly slow progress made by NEPAD in this direction. NEPAD and ECOWAS has been working together to promote regional integration, but like in most parts of Africa, the challenges has been seemingly intractable. The study is anchored around the principles of integration as presented by the neo-functionalists theorists. Hence, the research attempted to provide an explanation of the performance and non-performance of NEPAD as a regional integration tool, within the confines of the theory. The findings show that while, there has been some level of success in this venture as evidenced by the projects that are on-going in the sub region, the fact remains that NEPAD did not deliver or actually delivered below expectations. However, this situation is reversible as the study submitted that, there is a future for regional integration in West Africa, Africa and the new NPCA, if the African Union pulls the right levers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-03
- Authors: Agomuonso, Udo Robertson
- Date: 2013-03
- Subjects: New Partnership for Africa's Development , Economic Community of West African States , Sustainable development -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24783 , vital:63573
- Description: This research is intended to evaluate and study the challenges confronting NEPAD’s quest for sub regional economic integration in the ECOWAS domain. Political and economic integration has been part of African strategy to overcome fragmentation, marginalization and improve the continent’s position in the global political economy. Indeed, Africa needs integration more than any other continent or region in the world and this is why, it has had a fair share of regional integration arrangements all through her history. Unfortunately, these efforts have not paid off in the dimension of desired expectations. When NEPAD was established, it was given regional integration responsibilities, even though it was not a regional organization. It was mandated to drive regional integration in Africa by supporting the regional integration efforts of the regional economic institutions in Africa. After 10 years of existence, African leaders dissolved NEPAD and in its place, instituted the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA). This move was orchestrated by the seemingly slow progress made by NEPAD in this direction. NEPAD and ECOWAS has been working together to promote regional integration, but like in most parts of Africa, the challenges has been seemingly intractable. The study is anchored around the principles of integration as presented by the neo-functionalists theorists. Hence, the research attempted to provide an explanation of the performance and non-performance of NEPAD as a regional integration tool, within the confines of the theory. The findings show that while, there has been some level of success in this venture as evidenced by the projects that are on-going in the sub region, the fact remains that NEPAD did not deliver or actually delivered below expectations. However, this situation is reversible as the study submitted that, there is a future for regional integration in West Africa, Africa and the new NPCA, if the African Union pulls the right levers. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-03
Investigation of the levels of PBDEs and PCNs in the surface water and sediments from selected waterbodies in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Agunbiade, Idowu Victoria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5605-0312
- Authors: Agunbiade, Idowu Victoria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5605-0312
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Persistent pollutants , Water -- Purification -- Organic compounds removal , Organic water pollutants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22699 , vital:52660
- Description: Studies have revealed that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are omnipresent in our environment; almost all human beings have definite levels of POPs in their bodies. Even fetus and embryos are not spared; they have been found to bear certain levels of POPs. So far, there are about 28 chemicals listed as POPs among which are polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs). PCN and PBDE distributions have been reported from different sources around the world, but studies relating to PCNs occurrence and distribution in Africa, especially South Africa is still minimal. PBDEs have been reported to cause diabetes, cancer, damage to reproductive system, thyroid, liver and other vital organs in the body, while PCNs have been linked to chloracne (severe skin reactions/lesions) and liver disease (yellow atrophy) in humans, chicken oedema and X-disease in cattle. Hence, this study evaluates PCN levels in water and sediment samples from three waterbodies: North End Lake (NEL), Chatty River (CHA) and Makman Canal (MMC), while PBDE levels was reported in NEL and CHA samples. The three sites are located in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province (ECP) of South Africa. The lake serves as a recreational resort while the latter two waterbodies are tributaries discharging into the Swartkop Estuary, an important estuary in ECP. Water samples were extracted with C18 cartridges (solid phase), while soxhlet was employed for the extraction of sediments. Water and sediment extricates were purified and quantified with gas chromatography-micro electron capture detector (GC-μECD). Forty-seven (47) water samples and 44 sediment samples were collected in August until December 2020 from six sampling points in NEL, five points in each of CHA and MMC. All the samples were evaluated for physicochemical properties, PBDEs and PCNs using validated standard methods. The sampling period covered three South Africa seasons: August (winter), October (spring) and December (summer). The physicochemical parameters (PP) of NEL water samples for the three seasons generally varied as follows: temperature (15.3–23°C), pH (7.9–10.3), oxidation-reduction potential, ORP (23.4-110 mV), atmospheric pressure, AP (14.52-15.56 PSI), turbidity (15.1–167 NTU), electrical conductivity, EC (114–1291 μS/cm), total dissolved solids, TDS (55-645 mg/L), total suspended solids, TSS (20–107 mg/L) and salinity (0.05–0.65 PSU). All the PPs except for turbidity and TSS are within acceptable limits. NEL sediments had moisture content (MC), organic matter (OM) and organic carbon (OC) in the range of 0.04–8.0percent, 0.08–2.2percent and 0.05–1.8percent, respectively. The sum of eight PCN congeners Σ8PCNs and six PBDE congeners Σ6PBDEs in NEL water samples ranged from 0.164–2.934 μg/L and 0.009-1.025 μg/L individually. The values for Σ8PCNs and Σ6PBDEs in NEL sediment samples varied from 0.991–237 μg/kg and 0.354-28.850 μg/kg, respectively. The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) corresponding to the non-carcinogenic health risk associated with PBDEs in NEL water samples was 2.0×10-3-1.4×10-1, while the TEQ values due to PCNs varied from 6.10×10-7- 3.12×10-3 μg/L in NEL water samples and 3.70×10-5-1.96×10-2 μg/kg dw in sediments. The PP values for CHA water samples include temperature (15.4–22.9°C), pH (7.7–10.5), TDS (991–1771 mg/L), TSS (6–41 mg/L), turbidity (1.0–198 NTU), EC (1981–3542 μS/cm), AP (14.60–14.80 PSI), ORP (-339.1-51.3 mV), and salinity (1.02–1.87 PSU). The EC, TDS and salinity exceeded acceptable values at certain points. The sediments of CHA have MC, OM and OC contents ranging from 0.01-10.2percent, 0.2-1.3percent and 0.1-0.8percent in that order. Sum of Σ8PCNs, Σ6PBDEs in CHA water and sediment samples ranged from 0.026–1.054 μg/L, 0.007-0.079 μg/L and 0.429–1888.468 μg/kg, 0.347-6.468 μg/kg individually. The HQ in CHA water samples was 1.6×10-3-7.7×10-3 and the estimated TEQ was 1.0×10-7-6.62×10-5 μg/L and 1.10×10−5-6.40×10−2 μg/kg in water and sediments, respectively. The temperatures for MMC water samples ranged from 15.6-24.5°C, while other PPs recorded were as follows: pH (8.4-10.2), TDS (943–4002 mg/L), TSS (7-491 mg/L), turbidity (2.9-154.2 NTU), EC (1885-8004 μS/cm), AP (14.53–14.82 PSI), ORP (7.8-130 mV) and salinity (0.96-4.47 PSU). MMC’s sediments recorded MC, OM and OC varying as 0.4- 18.9percent, 0.2-4.5percent and 0.1-2.6percent, respectively across the three seasons. The Σ8PCNs for MMC water and sediment samples were 0.035–0.699 μg/L and 0.260–6744 μg/kg. The TEQ values in MMC water and sediment samples were 1.19×10-7-1.47×10-4 μg/L and 4.43×10−5- 4.19×10−1 μg/kg, respectively. The results are all less than one, and this suggests that the selected water is safe. Results showed that NEL water had highest TEQ, PCN and PBDE concentrations, while MMC sediments recorded maximum TEQ and PCN levels in this study. PBDE concentrations in NEL sediments were above the other site. In conclusion, NEL water was most polluted with both pollutants (PCNs and PBDEs), but MMC sediments contained more PCNs. There is need for the immediate remediation of these selected waterbodies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
- Authors: Agunbiade, Idowu Victoria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5605-0312
- Date: 2021-06
- Subjects: Persistent pollutants , Water -- Purification -- Organic compounds removal , Organic water pollutants
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22699 , vital:52660
- Description: Studies have revealed that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are omnipresent in our environment; almost all human beings have definite levels of POPs in their bodies. Even fetus and embryos are not spared; they have been found to bear certain levels of POPs. So far, there are about 28 chemicals listed as POPs among which are polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs). PCN and PBDE distributions have been reported from different sources around the world, but studies relating to PCNs occurrence and distribution in Africa, especially South Africa is still minimal. PBDEs have been reported to cause diabetes, cancer, damage to reproductive system, thyroid, liver and other vital organs in the body, while PCNs have been linked to chloracne (severe skin reactions/lesions) and liver disease (yellow atrophy) in humans, chicken oedema and X-disease in cattle. Hence, this study evaluates PCN levels in water and sediment samples from three waterbodies: North End Lake (NEL), Chatty River (CHA) and Makman Canal (MMC), while PBDE levels was reported in NEL and CHA samples. The three sites are located in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province (ECP) of South Africa. The lake serves as a recreational resort while the latter two waterbodies are tributaries discharging into the Swartkop Estuary, an important estuary in ECP. Water samples were extracted with C18 cartridges (solid phase), while soxhlet was employed for the extraction of sediments. Water and sediment extricates were purified and quantified with gas chromatography-micro electron capture detector (GC-μECD). Forty-seven (47) water samples and 44 sediment samples were collected in August until December 2020 from six sampling points in NEL, five points in each of CHA and MMC. All the samples were evaluated for physicochemical properties, PBDEs and PCNs using validated standard methods. The sampling period covered three South Africa seasons: August (winter), October (spring) and December (summer). The physicochemical parameters (PP) of NEL water samples for the three seasons generally varied as follows: temperature (15.3–23°C), pH (7.9–10.3), oxidation-reduction potential, ORP (23.4-110 mV), atmospheric pressure, AP (14.52-15.56 PSI), turbidity (15.1–167 NTU), electrical conductivity, EC (114–1291 μS/cm), total dissolved solids, TDS (55-645 mg/L), total suspended solids, TSS (20–107 mg/L) and salinity (0.05–0.65 PSU). All the PPs except for turbidity and TSS are within acceptable limits. NEL sediments had moisture content (MC), organic matter (OM) and organic carbon (OC) in the range of 0.04–8.0percent, 0.08–2.2percent and 0.05–1.8percent, respectively. The sum of eight PCN congeners Σ8PCNs and six PBDE congeners Σ6PBDEs in NEL water samples ranged from 0.164–2.934 μg/L and 0.009-1.025 μg/L individually. The values for Σ8PCNs and Σ6PBDEs in NEL sediment samples varied from 0.991–237 μg/kg and 0.354-28.850 μg/kg, respectively. The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) corresponding to the non-carcinogenic health risk associated with PBDEs in NEL water samples was 2.0×10-3-1.4×10-1, while the TEQ values due to PCNs varied from 6.10×10-7- 3.12×10-3 μg/L in NEL water samples and 3.70×10-5-1.96×10-2 μg/kg dw in sediments. The PP values for CHA water samples include temperature (15.4–22.9°C), pH (7.7–10.5), TDS (991–1771 mg/L), TSS (6–41 mg/L), turbidity (1.0–198 NTU), EC (1981–3542 μS/cm), AP (14.60–14.80 PSI), ORP (-339.1-51.3 mV), and salinity (1.02–1.87 PSU). The EC, TDS and salinity exceeded acceptable values at certain points. The sediments of CHA have MC, OM and OC contents ranging from 0.01-10.2percent, 0.2-1.3percent and 0.1-0.8percent in that order. Sum of Σ8PCNs, Σ6PBDEs in CHA water and sediment samples ranged from 0.026–1.054 μg/L, 0.007-0.079 μg/L and 0.429–1888.468 μg/kg, 0.347-6.468 μg/kg individually. The HQ in CHA water samples was 1.6×10-3-7.7×10-3 and the estimated TEQ was 1.0×10-7-6.62×10-5 μg/L and 1.10×10−5-6.40×10−2 μg/kg in water and sediments, respectively. The temperatures for MMC water samples ranged from 15.6-24.5°C, while other PPs recorded were as follows: pH (8.4-10.2), TDS (943–4002 mg/L), TSS (7-491 mg/L), turbidity (2.9-154.2 NTU), EC (1885-8004 μS/cm), AP (14.53–14.82 PSI), ORP (7.8-130 mV) and salinity (0.96-4.47 PSU). MMC’s sediments recorded MC, OM and OC varying as 0.4- 18.9percent, 0.2-4.5percent and 0.1-2.6percent, respectively across the three seasons. The Σ8PCNs for MMC water and sediment samples were 0.035–0.699 μg/L and 0.260–6744 μg/kg. The TEQ values in MMC water and sediment samples were 1.19×10-7-1.47×10-4 μg/L and 4.43×10−5- 4.19×10−1 μg/kg, respectively. The results are all less than one, and this suggests that the selected water is safe. Results showed that NEL water had highest TEQ, PCN and PBDE concentrations, while MMC sediments recorded maximum TEQ and PCN levels in this study. PBDE concentrations in NEL sediments were above the other site. In conclusion, NEL water was most polluted with both pollutants (PCNs and PBDEs), but MMC sediments contained more PCNs. There is need for the immediate remediation of these selected waterbodies. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-06
Enhanced Light-Driven Antimicrobial Activity of Cationic Poly (oxanorbornene) s by Phthalocyanine Incorporation into Polymer as Pendants
- Ahmetali, Erem, Sen, Pinar, Süer, N Ceren, Aksu, Burak, Nyokong, Tebello, Eren, Tarik, Sener, Kasim M
- Authors: Ahmetali, Erem , Sen, Pinar , Süer, N Ceren , Aksu, Burak , Nyokong, Tebello , Eren, Tarik , Sener, Kasim M
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185976 , vital:44453 , xlink:href=" https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202000386"
- Description: Amphiphilic poly(oxanorbornene)s are promising synthetic polymers that mimic the structural properties and antimicrobial functions of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides. Here, poly(oxanorbornene)s bearing pendant zinc(II) phthalocyanine and triphenyl(ethyl) phosphonium functionalities are synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Fluorescence, singlet oxygen and triplet quantum yields of polymers are measured in dimethyl sulfoxide and aqueous medium. The singlet oxygen quantum yields of copolymers with the highest triphenyl and triethyl phosphonium content are found to be 0.29 and 0.41, respectively. Then, antimicrobial activities of polymers against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are investigated under both dark and light conditions. Synergistic effect of zinc(II) phthalocyanine and phosphonium-containing poly(oxanorbornene) is observed that the conjugate possessing the most triphenyl phosphonium side chains has the highest activity under light against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains after 80 min irradiation, reducing the survival of E. coli or S. aureus by 99.9999%. Hemolytic concentrations of the copolymers are found between 8 and 512 µg mL−1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proves that the bacteria membrane deforms after contacting with the biocidal polymer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ahmetali, Erem , Sen, Pinar , Süer, N Ceren , Aksu, Burak , Nyokong, Tebello , Eren, Tarik , Sener, Kasim M
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185976 , vital:44453 , xlink:href=" https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202000386"
- Description: Amphiphilic poly(oxanorbornene)s are promising synthetic polymers that mimic the structural properties and antimicrobial functions of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides. Here, poly(oxanorbornene)s bearing pendant zinc(II) phthalocyanine and triphenyl(ethyl) phosphonium functionalities are synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Fluorescence, singlet oxygen and triplet quantum yields of polymers are measured in dimethyl sulfoxide and aqueous medium. The singlet oxygen quantum yields of copolymers with the highest triphenyl and triethyl phosphonium content are found to be 0.29 and 0.41, respectively. Then, antimicrobial activities of polymers against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are investigated under both dark and light conditions. Synergistic effect of zinc(II) phthalocyanine and phosphonium-containing poly(oxanorbornene) is observed that the conjugate possessing the most triphenyl phosphonium side chains has the highest activity under light against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains after 80 min irradiation, reducing the survival of E. coli or S. aureus by 99.9999%. Hemolytic concentrations of the copolymers are found between 8 and 512 µg mL−1. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proves that the bacteria membrane deforms after contacting with the biocidal polymer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Photodynamic therapy activities of phthalocyanine-based macromolecular photosensitizers on MCF-7 breast cancer cells
- Ahmetali, Erem, Sen, Pinar, Süer, N Ceren, Nyokong, Tebello, Erin, Tarik, Sener, M Kasim
- Authors: Ahmetali, Erem , Sen, Pinar , Süer, N Ceren , Nyokong, Tebello , Erin, Tarik , Sener, M Kasim
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185655 , vital:44407 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10601325.2021.1934012"
- Description: Poly(oxanorbornene)s with zinc(II) phthalocyanine side chains have been synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The incorporation of zinc(II) phthalocyanine into cationic polymer has given poly(oxanorbornene)s noteworthy photophysicochemical properties and the capacity to generate singlet oxygen under light irradiation. To investigate photosensitizer’s properties of the newly synthesized polymers P6 and P7: fluorescence (ΦF), singlet oxygen (ΦΔ) and triplet (ΦT) quantum yields of polymers have been measured in dimethyl sulfoxide and aqueous medium. Singlet oxygen quantum yields of P6 and P7 have been found to be 0.22 and 0.20 in dimethyl sulfoxide, respectively. Then, photodynamic therapy activities of polymers (P1-P7) against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells) have been investigated. The copolymer P5 bearing pendant zinc(II) phthalocyanine and triethyl phosphonium functionalities has showed enhanced PDT activity with less than 10% viable cells at 60 μg/mL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Ahmetali, Erem , Sen, Pinar , Süer, N Ceren , Nyokong, Tebello , Erin, Tarik , Sener, M Kasim
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185655 , vital:44407 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10601325.2021.1934012"
- Description: Poly(oxanorbornene)s with zinc(II) phthalocyanine side chains have been synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The incorporation of zinc(II) phthalocyanine into cationic polymer has given poly(oxanorbornene)s noteworthy photophysicochemical properties and the capacity to generate singlet oxygen under light irradiation. To investigate photosensitizer’s properties of the newly synthesized polymers P6 and P7: fluorescence (ΦF), singlet oxygen (ΦΔ) and triplet (ΦT) quantum yields of polymers have been measured in dimethyl sulfoxide and aqueous medium. Singlet oxygen quantum yields of P6 and P7 have been found to be 0.22 and 0.20 in dimethyl sulfoxide, respectively. Then, photodynamic therapy activities of polymers (P1-P7) against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7 cells) have been investigated. The copolymer P5 bearing pendant zinc(II) phthalocyanine and triethyl phosphonium functionalities has showed enhanced PDT activity with less than 10% viable cells at 60 μg/mL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
Eight decades of invasion by Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) and its biological control in West Africa: the story so far
- Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O, Adom, Medetissi, Day, Michael D, Uyi, Osariyekemwen, Egbon, Ikponmwosa N, Idemudia, I, Igbinosa, Igho B, Paterson, Iain D, Braimah, Haruna, Wilson, David D, Zachariades, Costas
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Adom, Medetissi , Day, Michael D , Uyi, Osariyekemwen , Egbon, Ikponmwosa N , Idemudia, I , Igbinosa, Igho B , Paterson, Iain D , Braimah, Haruna , Wilson, David D , Zachariades, Costas
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417450 , vital:71454 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2019.1670782"
- Description: Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson (Asteraceae) is a perennial weedy shrub of neotropical origin and a serious biotic threat in its invasive range. The Asian-West Africa (AWA) biotype of C. odorata present in West Africa is both morphologically and genetically different from the southern African (SA) biotype. The AWA biotype was first introduced into Nigeria in the late 1930s and rapidly spread across West Africa. Currently, 12 of the 16 countries in West Africa have been invaded, with significant negative effects on indigenous flora and fauna. However, locals in West Africa have found several uses for the weed. As chemical, physical and other conventional methods were unsustainable, costly and largely ineffective, three biological control agents, Apion brunneonigrum (Coleoptera: Brentidae), Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Cecidochares connexa (Diptera: Tephritidae), have been released in West Africa between the 1970s and the early 2000s. However, only C. connexa and P. pseudoinsulata established, contributing to the control of the weed, in six and four countries in West Africa respectively. Limited research funding, the absence of post-release evaluations of the established agents, and the ‘conflict of interest’ status of C. odorata (i.e. being beneficial for local use but damaging to ecosystem services and agriculture), are serious factors deterring the overall biological control effort. Here, using historical records and field surveys, we examine the invasion history, spread, impacts, and management of C. odorata in West Africa and make recommendations for the sustainable management of C. odorata in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Adom, Medetissi , Day, Michael D , Uyi, Osariyekemwen , Egbon, Ikponmwosa N , Idemudia, I , Igbinosa, Igho B , Paterson, Iain D , Braimah, Haruna , Wilson, David D , Zachariades, Costas
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417450 , vital:71454 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2019.1670782"
- Description: Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson (Asteraceae) is a perennial weedy shrub of neotropical origin and a serious biotic threat in its invasive range. The Asian-West Africa (AWA) biotype of C. odorata present in West Africa is both morphologically and genetically different from the southern African (SA) biotype. The AWA biotype was first introduced into Nigeria in the late 1930s and rapidly spread across West Africa. Currently, 12 of the 16 countries in West Africa have been invaded, with significant negative effects on indigenous flora and fauna. However, locals in West Africa have found several uses for the weed. As chemical, physical and other conventional methods were unsustainable, costly and largely ineffective, three biological control agents, Apion brunneonigrum (Coleoptera: Brentidae), Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Cecidochares connexa (Diptera: Tephritidae), have been released in West Africa between the 1970s and the early 2000s. However, only C. connexa and P. pseudoinsulata established, contributing to the control of the weed, in six and four countries in West Africa respectively. Limited research funding, the absence of post-release evaluations of the established agents, and the ‘conflict of interest’ status of C. odorata (i.e. being beneficial for local use but damaging to ecosystem services and agriculture), are serious factors deterring the overall biological control effort. Here, using historical records and field surveys, we examine the invasion history, spread, impacts, and management of C. odorata in West Africa and make recommendations for the sustainable management of C. odorata in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The distribution and abundance of the stem-galling fly, Cecidochares connexa (Macquart)(Diptera: Tephritidae), a biological control agent of Chromolaena odorata (L.)(Asteraceae), in Ghana
- Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O, Wilson, DD, Eziah, Vincent Y, Day, M, Paterson, Iain D
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Wilson, DD , Eziah, Vincent Y , Day, M , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/407074 , vital:70334 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-113112d1da"
- Description: Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae) is one of the worst invasive weeds in West Africa, and a serious biotic threat to food security. The stem-galling fly, Cecidochares connexa (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a biological control agent for C. odorata, was released in the Ivory Coast in 2003 and first detected in Ghana in 2014. The spatiotemporal distribution and abundance of C. connexa in Ghana was determined by country-wide surveys from 2015 to 2016. Galls were found in varying densities across Ghana but gall densities were consistently low east of Lake Volta. A limited survey conducted in the extreme west of Togo in 2016, found the gall fly also in low numbers. There was a significant correlation between C. connexa gall densities and the distance from the release sites in the Ivory Coast. The distribution and abundance of the gall fly in Ghana could be explained by its spread from the original release sites over time and/or the much drier conditions east of Lake Volta. Cecidochares connexa has dispersed a distance of about 1000 km over a 10-year period and, while there is some evidence that the gall fly is still dispersing towards the east, its range and population size could be limited by the dry climatic conditions in the east of Ghana and in Togo. Actively redistributing the agent over this dry corridor to the more humid and higher rainfall areas of Nigeria, may result in the spread of this agent through the rest of West and Central Africa, thereby aiding the control of C. odorata in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Wilson, DD , Eziah, Vincent Y , Day, M , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/407074 , vital:70334 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-113112d1da"
- Description: Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae) is one of the worst invasive weeds in West Africa, and a serious biotic threat to food security. The stem-galling fly, Cecidochares connexa (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a biological control agent for C. odorata, was released in the Ivory Coast in 2003 and first detected in Ghana in 2014. The spatiotemporal distribution and abundance of C. connexa in Ghana was determined by country-wide surveys from 2015 to 2016. Galls were found in varying densities across Ghana but gall densities were consistently low east of Lake Volta. A limited survey conducted in the extreme west of Togo in 2016, found the gall fly also in low numbers. There was a significant correlation between C. connexa gall densities and the distance from the release sites in the Ivory Coast. The distribution and abundance of the gall fly in Ghana could be explained by its spread from the original release sites over time and/or the much drier conditions east of Lake Volta. Cecidochares connexa has dispersed a distance of about 1000 km over a 10-year period and, while there is some evidence that the gall fly is still dispersing towards the east, its range and population size could be limited by the dry climatic conditions in the east of Ghana and in Togo. Actively redistributing the agent over this dry corridor to the more humid and higher rainfall areas of Nigeria, may result in the spread of this agent through the rest of West and Central Africa, thereby aiding the control of C. odorata in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
With or without you: stem-galling of a tephritid fly reduces the vegetative and reproductive performance of the invasive plant Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) both alone and in combination with another agent
- Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O, Day, Michael D, Itohan Idemudia, Wilson, David D, Paterson, Iain D
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Day, Michael D , Itohan Idemudia , Wilson, David D , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418093 , vital:71508 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-018-09917-x"
- Description: With or without another biological control agent, the specialist folivore Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata, the stem-galling fly Cecidochares connexa reduced the performance of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaena odorata in Ghana. There was a strong significant negative relationship between gall densities of the gall fly and stem height, and the number of stems and flower heads of C. odorata. Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata had very little impact on any C. odorata parameters. However, at sites where both C. connexa and P. pseudoinsulata occurred simultaneously, the performance of C. odorata was significantly reduced when compared with control plants. Increasing densities of both agents had a strong significant negative correlative effect on C. odorata plant parameters. Cecidochares connexa was recorded in all five regions of the country sampled, while P. pseudoinsulata was recorded in four regions. Densities of both agents declined in the dry season, but galls were persistent throughout the study period. This is the first report of the impact of C. connexa on C. odorata in the West African sub-region since its introduction to Cote d’Ivoire in 2003 and it is clear that the agent has a significant impact on C. odorata in Ghana. Further surveys are required to determine the impact of both biological control agents in other parts of the sub-region where they have established.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor, Pascal O , Day, Michael D , Itohan Idemudia , Wilson, David D , Paterson, Iain D
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/418093 , vital:71508 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-018-09917-x"
- Description: With or without another biological control agent, the specialist folivore Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata, the stem-galling fly Cecidochares connexa reduced the performance of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaena odorata in Ghana. There was a strong significant negative relationship between gall densities of the gall fly and stem height, and the number of stems and flower heads of C. odorata. Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata had very little impact on any C. odorata parameters. However, at sites where both C. connexa and P. pseudoinsulata occurred simultaneously, the performance of C. odorata was significantly reduced when compared with control plants. Increasing densities of both agents had a strong significant negative correlative effect on C. odorata plant parameters. Cecidochares connexa was recorded in all five regions of the country sampled, while P. pseudoinsulata was recorded in four regions. Densities of both agents declined in the dry season, but galls were persistent throughout the study period. This is the first report of the impact of C. connexa on C. odorata in the West African sub-region since its introduction to Cote d’Ivoire in 2003 and it is clear that the agent has a significant impact on C. odorata in Ghana. Further surveys are required to determine the impact of both biological control agents in other parts of the sub-region where they have established.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring the influences of an intersemiotic complementarity teaching approach on Grade 9 Namibian learners’ sense-making of chemical bonding
- Aikanga, Frans Paulus Shintaleleni
- Authors: Aikanga, Frans Paulus Shintaleleni
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Chemical bonds , Semiotics , Cognition in children , Communication in education , Language and education -- Namibia , Visual learning , Verbal learning
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178281 , vital:42927
- Description: Anecdotal evidence from my 10 years’ experience teaching Grade 9 Physical Science in Namibian schools revealed learners’ difficulty with making sense of chemical bonding. The Junior Secondary examiners’ reports in recent consecutive years (2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017) also revealed this challenge among Grade 10 learners (Namibia. Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture [MoEAC], 2017). The language of learning and teaching (LoLT) for most school subjects (including Physical Science) in Namibia is English, which is taken as a second language by most learners (Kisting, 2011). The results of the English Language Proficiency test written by all principals and teachers in Namibia show that most are not proficient in this language (Kisting, 2011). This has raised concern as to how teaching of content subjects may be undertaken effectively with English as the LoLT. In Namibia, chemical bonding is part of the chemistry section of Physical Science, taught as a sub-topic under the Matter section, where the nature, characteristics, and behaviour of three states of matter are explained. The difficulty students have with chemical bonding is identified as being due to complex chemical concepts (Chittleborough & Mamiala, 2006), and the specialised language of the topic these concepts involve (Gilbert & Treagust, 2009). Additionally, this difficulty may be ascribed to lack of suitable pedagogic approaches, which is linked to science teachers not being fluent in the LoLT. Despite this link, Johnstone (1982) posits that addressing the challenge of teaching and learning chemical knowledge requires teachers’ understanding of three levels of representation: macroscopic, sub-microscopic, and symbolic. Addressing this challenge may be accomplished by using multimodality in teaching, which is achievable via intersemiosis of different semiotic modes, drawing from Systemic Functional Linguistics. This is due to non-linguistic modes also having the potential to make meaning as language does, and the fact that language alone cannot fully enable effective meaning-making in discourses that are inherently multimodal, such as science. Some studies have suggested that the intersemiosis of visual and verbal semiotic modes has the potential to enable more meaning-making of scientific discourse than either of these two alone. The study reported on in this thesis has built on such previous studies in order to explore the influences of a visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity teaching approach on Grade 9 Namibian learners’ sense-making of chemical bonding. No studies from Namibia exploring these influences on Grade 9 learners could be found. This revealed the knowledge gap that this study aimed to contribute to filling. I accomplished this goal by embarking on a two-cycle action research study. The first cycle followed a traditional teaching approach and assessment, whereas the second cycle, the intervention, included a visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity teaching approach and assessment. I achieved visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity teaching and assessment by coordinating spoken and written language with visuals in the form of diagrams and physical models. The critical paradigm was adopted to explore the influences of this pedagogic approach, with the underlying aim of exploring the intervention approach for bringing about a change in learners’ sense-making of chemical bonding, compared to traditional approaches that do not consider intersemiosis. This study is informed by Vygotsky’s (1978) social constructivism to account for learning as a product of social construction, and Halliday’s (1978) Systemic Functional Linguistics to account for the role played by semiotic modes in making meanings. This study involved collecting qualitative data that were accessed via document analysis, structured lesson observation, the teacher’s and learners’ reflective journals, and the pre- and post-test. Collecting these data was facilitated by a critical friend. The results reveal a positive influence of the visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity teaching approach on Grade 9 Namibian learners’ sense-making of chemical bonding. This influence was realised in the noticeable shift from the learners’ discourse (use of talk and visuals) being perceptual (which is less scientific) to being idea-based (which is more scientific). Learners were also found to be self-motivated and keen to learn complex chemical bonding concepts after the intervention – another sign of their making sense of the topic. The implications of this study include that visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity should be considered a pedagogic approach to chemical bonding by curriculum developers and reviewers, teacher training institutions, and science textbook authors. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Aikanga, Frans Paulus Shintaleleni
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Physical sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Chemical bonds , Semiotics , Cognition in children , Communication in education , Language and education -- Namibia , Visual learning , Verbal learning
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178281 , vital:42927
- Description: Anecdotal evidence from my 10 years’ experience teaching Grade 9 Physical Science in Namibian schools revealed learners’ difficulty with making sense of chemical bonding. The Junior Secondary examiners’ reports in recent consecutive years (2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017) also revealed this challenge among Grade 10 learners (Namibia. Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture [MoEAC], 2017). The language of learning and teaching (LoLT) for most school subjects (including Physical Science) in Namibia is English, which is taken as a second language by most learners (Kisting, 2011). The results of the English Language Proficiency test written by all principals and teachers in Namibia show that most are not proficient in this language (Kisting, 2011). This has raised concern as to how teaching of content subjects may be undertaken effectively with English as the LoLT. In Namibia, chemical bonding is part of the chemistry section of Physical Science, taught as a sub-topic under the Matter section, where the nature, characteristics, and behaviour of three states of matter are explained. The difficulty students have with chemical bonding is identified as being due to complex chemical concepts (Chittleborough & Mamiala, 2006), and the specialised language of the topic these concepts involve (Gilbert & Treagust, 2009). Additionally, this difficulty may be ascribed to lack of suitable pedagogic approaches, which is linked to science teachers not being fluent in the LoLT. Despite this link, Johnstone (1982) posits that addressing the challenge of teaching and learning chemical knowledge requires teachers’ understanding of three levels of representation: macroscopic, sub-microscopic, and symbolic. Addressing this challenge may be accomplished by using multimodality in teaching, which is achievable via intersemiosis of different semiotic modes, drawing from Systemic Functional Linguistics. This is due to non-linguistic modes also having the potential to make meaning as language does, and the fact that language alone cannot fully enable effective meaning-making in discourses that are inherently multimodal, such as science. Some studies have suggested that the intersemiosis of visual and verbal semiotic modes has the potential to enable more meaning-making of scientific discourse than either of these two alone. The study reported on in this thesis has built on such previous studies in order to explore the influences of a visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity teaching approach on Grade 9 Namibian learners’ sense-making of chemical bonding. No studies from Namibia exploring these influences on Grade 9 learners could be found. This revealed the knowledge gap that this study aimed to contribute to filling. I accomplished this goal by embarking on a two-cycle action research study. The first cycle followed a traditional teaching approach and assessment, whereas the second cycle, the intervention, included a visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity teaching approach and assessment. I achieved visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity teaching and assessment by coordinating spoken and written language with visuals in the form of diagrams and physical models. The critical paradigm was adopted to explore the influences of this pedagogic approach, with the underlying aim of exploring the intervention approach for bringing about a change in learners’ sense-making of chemical bonding, compared to traditional approaches that do not consider intersemiosis. This study is informed by Vygotsky’s (1978) social constructivism to account for learning as a product of social construction, and Halliday’s (1978) Systemic Functional Linguistics to account for the role played by semiotic modes in making meanings. This study involved collecting qualitative data that were accessed via document analysis, structured lesson observation, the teacher’s and learners’ reflective journals, and the pre- and post-test. Collecting these data was facilitated by a critical friend. The results reveal a positive influence of the visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity teaching approach on Grade 9 Namibian learners’ sense-making of chemical bonding. This influence was realised in the noticeable shift from the learners’ discourse (use of talk and visuals) being perceptual (which is less scientific) to being idea-based (which is more scientific). Learners were also found to be self-motivated and keen to learn complex chemical bonding concepts after the intervention – another sign of their making sense of the topic. The implications of this study include that visual-verbal intersemiotic complementarity should be considered a pedagogic approach to chemical bonding by curriculum developers and reviewers, teacher training institutions, and science textbook authors. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The emergence of isiZulu in Skeem Saam (2011)
- Authors: Aiseng, Kealeboga
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/277956 , vital:55335 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504630.2022.2063115"
- Description: This study aims to investigate how an ecological understanding of polyglossia is used in the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) television channel, SABC 1 to maintain and create ethnolinguistic dominance. Key arguments this study will make are: (1) polyglossia is a language ideology masquerading as ethnolinguistic pluralism, (2) there is a loss of ethnolinguistic pluralism in SABC 1 because of the polyglot culture and its transmissions, (3) isiZulu is emerging as a language and cultural flare of the channel. This paper concluded that isiZulu’s presence is rising in a soap initially meant to be a Sepedi show. And this has negative consequences for language equality in the SABC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Aiseng, Kealeboga
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/277956 , vital:55335 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504630.2022.2063115"
- Description: This study aims to investigate how an ecological understanding of polyglossia is used in the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) television channel, SABC 1 to maintain and create ethnolinguistic dominance. Key arguments this study will make are: (1) polyglossia is a language ideology masquerading as ethnolinguistic pluralism, (2) there is a loss of ethnolinguistic pluralism in SABC 1 because of the polyglot culture and its transmissions, (3) isiZulu is emerging as a language and cultural flare of the channel. This paper concluded that isiZulu’s presence is rising in a soap initially meant to be a Sepedi show. And this has negative consequences for language equality in the SABC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Investigating the consumer decision-making process and determinants of choice for prepaid services from mobile network service providers
- Authors: Ajayi, Ella
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems , Consumer behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53688 , vital:45713
- Description: The mobile telecommunications industry has been a fundamental and an important enabler in the advancement of the South African economy, with mobile network providers investing billions of rands in mobile infrastructure and facilitating a functional and progressive global marketplace (ICASA Annual Performance Plan, 2020/21). South Africa’s telecommunications system is one of the most sophisticated in the emerging markets, and according to Gillwald, Mothobi, and Rademan (2018, p.6), various indices including the ICT Development Index corroborate this view. The deployment of wireless communications networks in the country has had immeasurable social benefits for many consumers. The most rural areas of the country are now able to experience the convenience and ubiquity that comes with having access to mobile network technology. Though mobile network provision is making progress in terms of bridging the digital divide, inhibitors exist within the mobile competitive landscape that prevent consumers from exploring the full benefits of the advanced technologies at their disposal. According to Chinembiri (2020, p.6), mobile data costs remain high and out of reach for the average South African consumer, despite the recent requisite data price reduction by the dominant mobile network service providers. The prepaid segment is dominated by customers who either carry multiple SIM cards or switch between mobile network operators. The adoption by ICASA of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP), the process through which customers switch between mobile operators and keep their mobile number (Yadav, Dabhade, & Dabhade, 2013, p.1), resulted in significant reduction in switching costs thus perpetuating the migration of subscribers between mobile network providers. According to Olufemi and Strydom (2018, p. 52), the fiercest competition experienced by South African mobile providers is in the prepaid market. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Ajayi, Ella
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems , Consumer behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53688 , vital:45713
- Description: The mobile telecommunications industry has been a fundamental and an important enabler in the advancement of the South African economy, with mobile network providers investing billions of rands in mobile infrastructure and facilitating a functional and progressive global marketplace (ICASA Annual Performance Plan, 2020/21). South Africa’s telecommunications system is one of the most sophisticated in the emerging markets, and according to Gillwald, Mothobi, and Rademan (2018, p.6), various indices including the ICT Development Index corroborate this view. The deployment of wireless communications networks in the country has had immeasurable social benefits for many consumers. The most rural areas of the country are now able to experience the convenience and ubiquity that comes with having access to mobile network technology. Though mobile network provision is making progress in terms of bridging the digital divide, inhibitors exist within the mobile competitive landscape that prevent consumers from exploring the full benefits of the advanced technologies at their disposal. According to Chinembiri (2020, p.6), mobile data costs remain high and out of reach for the average South African consumer, despite the recent requisite data price reduction by the dominant mobile network service providers. The prepaid segment is dominated by customers who either carry multiple SIM cards or switch between mobile network operators. The adoption by ICASA of the Mobile Number Portability (MNP), the process through which customers switch between mobile operators and keep their mobile number (Yadav, Dabhade, & Dabhade, 2013, p.1), resulted in significant reduction in switching costs thus perpetuating the migration of subscribers between mobile network providers. According to Olufemi and Strydom (2018, p. 52), the fiercest competition experienced by South African mobile providers is in the prepaid market. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Study of the biotransformations and microbiological properties of cymbopogon citratus
- Ajayi, Emmanuel Olusegun https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0838-4948
- Authors: Ajayi, Emmanuel Olusegun https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0838-4948
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Lemongras , Essences and essential oils
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19737 , vital:43197
- Description: Variations in the essential oil yield, chemical composition and kinetics of chemical transformation, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of the Cymbopogon citratus cultivated in Alice, Eastern Cape of South Africa, over a period of 12 months using the solvent-free microwave extraction and the modified forms of conventional hydrodistillation methods have been evaluated. The modified forms involve variation in the pH medium to effect extraction and to obtain the whole leaf extracts of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass). The GC-MS analyses of the essential oils revealed the presence of 10, 11, 13, and 9 principal compounds in the microwave, extraction, hydrodistillation (water-distilled), hydrodistillation (aciddistilled and hydrodistillation (base-distilled), respectively with citral being the prominent compound in all the various extraction methods, with the water-distilled method having the highest cumulative citral content under the period specified. Each of the components of the oils varied in quantity and quality of yield at different points of the year. Different extraction methods produce different compounds. Increase in the amount of citral content was observed during the maturation stage of Cymbopogon citratus in all the extraction methods. Quantitative evaluation of antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined on the oils and extracts of Cymbopogon citratus using agar dilution method. The essential oils obtained using all the methods of extraction showed activity against all the tested bacteria at a concentration of 10 mg mL-1. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the acid-distilled varied between 1.25 and 5.0 mg mL-1, while those obtained by both water- and base-distilled showed equal activity on the microorganisms with the MIC ranging between 2.5 and 10 mg mL-1. The microwave extraction showed the least activity with the MIC of 10 mg mL-1. This however suggested that the oils obtained through acid-distillation showed the greatest activity than all other methods of extraction. Activity of the various extracts on bacteria showed that the ethanol extract had the highest activity on the tested organisms with MIC ranging between 0.625 and 1.25 mg mL-1. This was closely followed by the acid-extract (1.25 and 5.0 mg mL-1), methanol extract (1.25 and 10 mg mL-1), acetone extract (2.5 and 5.0 mg mL-1), and base extract (5.0 mg mL-1). Both cold water and hot water extracts showed the least activity of MIC, >10 mg mL-1. The antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity of the obtained oils and extracts were tested by means of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH+) assay, [(2,2ˊ-azino bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS), nitric oxide and ferric reducing power assays. The oils and extracts showed DPPH radical scavenging ability, but not as high as the standard drugs. The base extract showed a higher reducing power than the standard drug, rutin. There were significant differences in the phytochemicals contents of the various leaf extracts. The acetone extract has the highest flavonol, proanthocyanidin, and alkaloid contents. The ethanol extract showed the highest amount of phenolic content with the acid extract, having the least. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography was employed to obtain different fractions of extracts using four eluent solvent systems of varying polarities: toluene, petroleum ether, hexane and ethyl acetate and sprayed with anisaldehyde. A single, visible spot of B-fraction was developed, collected and analyzed as 1-methyl-2,4,5- trinitroimidazole with renown valuable properties. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ajayi, Emmanuel Olusegun https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0838-4948
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Lemongras , Essences and essential oils
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19737 , vital:43197
- Description: Variations in the essential oil yield, chemical composition and kinetics of chemical transformation, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of the Cymbopogon citratus cultivated in Alice, Eastern Cape of South Africa, over a period of 12 months using the solvent-free microwave extraction and the modified forms of conventional hydrodistillation methods have been evaluated. The modified forms involve variation in the pH medium to effect extraction and to obtain the whole leaf extracts of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass). The GC-MS analyses of the essential oils revealed the presence of 10, 11, 13, and 9 principal compounds in the microwave, extraction, hydrodistillation (water-distilled), hydrodistillation (aciddistilled and hydrodistillation (base-distilled), respectively with citral being the prominent compound in all the various extraction methods, with the water-distilled method having the highest cumulative citral content under the period specified. Each of the components of the oils varied in quantity and quality of yield at different points of the year. Different extraction methods produce different compounds. Increase in the amount of citral content was observed during the maturation stage of Cymbopogon citratus in all the extraction methods. Quantitative evaluation of antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined on the oils and extracts of Cymbopogon citratus using agar dilution method. The essential oils obtained using all the methods of extraction showed activity against all the tested bacteria at a concentration of 10 mg mL-1. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the acid-distilled varied between 1.25 and 5.0 mg mL-1, while those obtained by both water- and base-distilled showed equal activity on the microorganisms with the MIC ranging between 2.5 and 10 mg mL-1. The microwave extraction showed the least activity with the MIC of 10 mg mL-1. This however suggested that the oils obtained through acid-distillation showed the greatest activity than all other methods of extraction. Activity of the various extracts on bacteria showed that the ethanol extract had the highest activity on the tested organisms with MIC ranging between 0.625 and 1.25 mg mL-1. This was closely followed by the acid-extract (1.25 and 5.0 mg mL-1), methanol extract (1.25 and 10 mg mL-1), acetone extract (2.5 and 5.0 mg mL-1), and base extract (5.0 mg mL-1). Both cold water and hot water extracts showed the least activity of MIC, >10 mg mL-1. The antioxidant and free-radical scavenging activity of the obtained oils and extracts were tested by means of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH+) assay, [(2,2ˊ-azino bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS), nitric oxide and ferric reducing power assays. The oils and extracts showed DPPH radical scavenging ability, but not as high as the standard drugs. The base extract showed a higher reducing power than the standard drug, rutin. There were significant differences in the phytochemicals contents of the various leaf extracts. The acetone extract has the highest flavonol, proanthocyanidin, and alkaloid contents. The ethanol extract showed the highest amount of phenolic content with the acid extract, having the least. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography was employed to obtain different fractions of extracts using four eluent solvent systems of varying polarities: toluene, petroleum ether, hexane and ethyl acetate and sprayed with anisaldehyde. A single, visible spot of B-fraction was developed, collected and analyzed as 1-methyl-2,4,5- trinitroimidazole with renown valuable properties. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Examining learners' and teachers' perceptions of the relationship between school infrastructure and learners' performance in Fort Beaufort Education District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Ajibade, Benedicta Aremevbemi
- Authors: Ajibade, Benedicta Aremevbemi
- Date: 2012-12
- Subjects: School facilities , Education and state -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24695 , vital:63526
- Description: This study examined learners’ and teachers’ perceptions of the relationship between school infrastructure and learners’ performance in Fort Beaufort Education District, Eastern Cape. The study arose from a concern that, despite South African Government’s commitment to funding the renovation of some old and dilapidated school buildings and constructing new ones so that there would be an improvement in both teaching and learning in affected secondary schools. Regrettably, most school buildings remain in deplorable conditions. There has been poor learner performance at all levels of the secondary education system in some rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Learners’ performance in the Province’s high schools has been described as the worst in the country. From the literature, it appears that no thorough and conclusive studies looking into the issues relating to school buildings and learners’ performance as perceived by learners and teachers in South Africa have been conducted. Hence, the researcher was motivated to examine the relationship between school buildings and learners’ performance. The study was placed within the post-positivism paradigm and used a mixed method research design that incorporated concurrent procedures in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data. Likert-scale questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data while qualitative data were collected through interviews and observations. A total of 240 learners completed the questionnaire. The researcher conducted 48 brief interviews (36 with teachers and 12 with school principals) from 12 selected secondary schools. Furthermore, the researcher made observations to assess the state of the buildings. At school level, the study revealed that most of the school buildings were in deplorable condition. The teaching and learning environment also compounded the problem of poor learners’ performance. Learners’ motivation/morale, health and safety were not guaranteed in most of the schools, and teachers’ expressed difficulty in performing their job effectively. Large classes, lack of teaching and learning resources, and limited infrastructure were some of the factors hindering teaching and learning at school level. Results obtained from the study showed that the principals and teachers perceived strong links between the condition of their school buildings and learners’ performance. About half of the learners perceived some link between the condition of their schools and their academic performance. The study observed that the majority of school buildings were old and in very bad conditions with few under renovation from the Correctional service department. The study also showed that most schools lack recreational facilities, do not have electricity, laboratories, library and water. Most of the educators are unhappy about their work environment and are not motivated. The study has put forth recommendations for educational planners and for policies regarding the funding norms. Furthermore, based on the findings of the study, there is need for collaborative effort among educational stakeholders to ensure adequate and appropriated delivery of school infrastructure specifically school building that will translate into improved teaching practice at school level and better learners’ performance. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-12
- Authors: Ajibade, Benedicta Aremevbemi
- Date: 2012-12
- Subjects: School facilities , Education and state -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24695 , vital:63526
- Description: This study examined learners’ and teachers’ perceptions of the relationship between school infrastructure and learners’ performance in Fort Beaufort Education District, Eastern Cape. The study arose from a concern that, despite South African Government’s commitment to funding the renovation of some old and dilapidated school buildings and constructing new ones so that there would be an improvement in both teaching and learning in affected secondary schools. Regrettably, most school buildings remain in deplorable conditions. There has been poor learner performance at all levels of the secondary education system in some rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Learners’ performance in the Province’s high schools has been described as the worst in the country. From the literature, it appears that no thorough and conclusive studies looking into the issues relating to school buildings and learners’ performance as perceived by learners and teachers in South Africa have been conducted. Hence, the researcher was motivated to examine the relationship between school buildings and learners’ performance. The study was placed within the post-positivism paradigm and used a mixed method research design that incorporated concurrent procedures in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data. Likert-scale questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data while qualitative data were collected through interviews and observations. A total of 240 learners completed the questionnaire. The researcher conducted 48 brief interviews (36 with teachers and 12 with school principals) from 12 selected secondary schools. Furthermore, the researcher made observations to assess the state of the buildings. At school level, the study revealed that most of the school buildings were in deplorable condition. The teaching and learning environment also compounded the problem of poor learners’ performance. Learners’ motivation/morale, health and safety were not guaranteed in most of the schools, and teachers’ expressed difficulty in performing their job effectively. Large classes, lack of teaching and learning resources, and limited infrastructure were some of the factors hindering teaching and learning at school level. Results obtained from the study showed that the principals and teachers perceived strong links between the condition of their school buildings and learners’ performance. About half of the learners perceived some link between the condition of their schools and their academic performance. The study observed that the majority of school buildings were old and in very bad conditions with few under renovation from the Correctional service department. The study also showed that most schools lack recreational facilities, do not have electricity, laboratories, library and water. Most of the educators are unhappy about their work environment and are not motivated. The study has put forth recommendations for educational planners and for policies regarding the funding norms. Furthermore, based on the findings of the study, there is need for collaborative effort among educational stakeholders to ensure adequate and appropriated delivery of school infrastructure specifically school building that will translate into improved teaching practice at school level and better learners’ performance. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012-12