Motherism, African Women and Ecological Advocacy in Aminata Sow Fall’s L’Ex-père de la nation and Douceurs du bercail

The literary discourse of francophone Africa, has been indicted for ecocritical passivity. Yet many literary texts emanating from francophone Africa are replete with portraits of the environment. Even though Aminata Sow Fall, the Senegalese socio-realist falls within the category of authors who seek equilibrium in their treatment of African postcolonial issues, most of her works are laden with ecocritical concerns. Hidden within the literary portraits of postcolonial and environmental chaos of Africa lies Sow Fall’s projection of African problems and their alternative solution via her characters’ sensitization of ecological consciousness in readers. Through the theoretical framework of Catherine O. Acholonu’s environment-inclined Motherism: The Afrocentric Alternative to Feminism (1995), the present study embarks on an ecocritical focus on women characters’ roles in Sow Fall’s L’ex-père de la nation (1987) and Douceurs du bercail (1998). Against the backdrop of the main characters’ roles that threaten the environmental well-being of Africa, we contend that women characters present a symbiotic relationship with nature; they highlight the advantages Mother Earth bestows on human beings, displaying how women’s leadership roles enhance African environments. It is in this respect that the article argues that women characters’ roles suggest an advocacy for ecological Motherist ideals as a means to counter postcolonial societal ills. In conclusion, the novels showcase African women as environmental Motherists whose roles preserve an Edenic African environment that connotes benefits and hopes for human in the midst of literal and metaphorical postcolonial degradation of the environment

Life cycle assessment of novel platform chemicals from lignocellulosic feedstock

En omfattende livssyklusvurdering (LCA) ble utført på produksjon av bioetylen og biopropylen fra lignocelluloseholdige råvarer, spesielt skogrester, gjennom to forskjellige produksjonsveier for bioraffineri: biokjemisk og termokjemisk. Plattformkjemikalier som bioetylen og biopropylen er essensielle byggesteiner i kjemisk industri og tilbyr bærekraftige alternativer til fossilbaserte kjemikalier. Ved å bruke ReCiPe 2016-metoden ble miljøpåvirkningene evaluert i fem kategorier: forsuring, ferskvannseutrofiering, marin eutrofiering, human toksisitet (kreftfremkallende) og human toksisitet (ikke-kreftfremkallende). I tillegg ble virkningen av klimaendringer evaluert ved hjelp av IPCC 2021. Analysen avslørte at på tvers av alle tre bioraffineriene, resulterte produksjonen av bioetylen og biopropylen i betydelige reduksjoner i klimaendringer på henholdsvis ca. 73 % og 64 % sammenlignet med produksjonen av deres fossilbaserte motstykker. Den biokjemiske produksjonsveien, bioraffineri en (Bio_1) viste de høyeste forsuringseffektene, først og fremst på grunn av nitrogenoksider (NOx) og svoveldioksid (SO₂)-utslipp fra forbrenning av diesel i landbruksmaskiner og transportbiler under biomassekutte- og lagringsprosessen, samt bruk av svovelsyre og ammoniumklorid (NH4CL) under biomassefermentering og bioetanoldehydrering. Derimot presterte den termokjemiske gassifiseringen Biorefinery two (Bio_2) og biometanol-til-olefins Biorefinery three (Bio_3)-veiene bedre, og minimerte forsuring med gjennomsnittlig henholdsvis 97 % og 96 %, og reduserte både ferskvanns- og marin eutrofieringspåvirkning, og pekte dermed på ut fordelene med renere konverteringsteknologier. Til tross for disse fordelene er ikke-kreftfremkallende helserisikoer for mennesker fortsatt betydelige, spesielt i Bio_1, på grunn av utslipp av flyktige organiske forbindelser (VOC) fra lagring og fermentering av biomasse, produksjon av bioetanol og bruk av smøreolje, landbruksmaskiner og dieseltransport. Sensitivitetsanalyser fremhevet den betydelige påvirkningen av nøkkelparametere som celluloseinnhold, konverteringsutbytte og prosesseffektivitet. Høyere konverteringsutbytte tilsvarte konsekvent redusert miljøpåvirkning, og understreket det kritiske behovet for prosessoptimalisering. Omvendt forsterker lavere celluloseinnhold klimaendringer, forsuring og eutrofiering på grunn av den ineffektive konverteringsprosessen som krever mer biomasse og energi. Den overordnede sensitivitetsanalysen viste at høyere effektivitet konsekvent samsvarte med redusert påvirkning og omvendt. Funnene avslørte potensialet til lignocelluloseholdige bioraffinerier, som bærekraftige alternativer til fossilbaserte raffinerier for å produsere plattformkjemikalier som bioetylen og biopropylen, samtidig som de identifiserer forbedringsområder, spesielt når det gjelder å redusere forsuring og menneskelig toksisitet. Fremtidig forskning bør fokusere på å forbedre prosessteknologier, gjennomføre langsiktige miljøpåvirkninger og gjennomføre en økonomisk gjennomførbarhet for å evaluere den økonomiske levedyktigheten og markedspotensialet til nye plattformkjemikalier.A comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted on the production of bioethylene and biopropylene from lignocellulosic feedstock, specifically forest residues, through two distinct biorefinery production pathways: biochemical and thermochemical. Platform chemicals such as bioethylene and biopropylene are essential building blocks in the chemical industry and offer sustainable alternatives to fossil-based chemicals. Utilizing the ReCiPe 2016 method, environmental impacts were evaluated across five categories: acidification, freshwater eutrophication, marine eutrophication, human toxicity (carcinogenic), and human toxicity (non-carcinogenic). Additionally, climate change impact was evaluated using IPCC 2021. The analysis revealed that across all three biorefineries, the production of bioethylene and biopropylene resulted in significant reductions in climate change impact of approximately 73% and 64%, respectively, compared to the production of their fossil-based counterparts. The biochemical production pathway, biorefinery one (Bio_1) showed the highest acidification impacts, primarily due to nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from the combustion of diesel in agricultural machinery and transport lorries during the biomass chopping and storage process, as well as the use of sulfuric acid and ammonium chloride (NH4CL) during biomass fermentation and bioethanol dehydration. In contrast, the thermochemical gasification Biorefinery two (Bio_2) and biomethanol-to-olefins Biorefinery three (Bio_3) pathways performed better, minimizing acidification by an average of 97% and 96% respectively, and reducing both freshwater and marine eutrophication impacts, thereby pointing out the advantages of cleaner conversion technologies. Despite these benefits, non-carcinogenic human health risks remain substantial, particularly in Bio_1, due to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions from biomass storage and fermentation, bioethanol production, and the use of lubricating oil, agricultural machinery, and diesel transport. Sensitivity analyses highlighted the significant influence of key parameters such as cellulose content, conversion yields, and process efficiencies. Higher conversion yields consistently corresponded with reduced environmental impacts, emphasizing the critical need for process optimization. Conversely, lower cellulose content intensifies climate change, acidification, and eutrophication impacts due to the inefficient conversion process necessitating more biomass and energy. The overall sensitivity analysis showed that higher efficiencies consistently corresponded with reduced impacts and vice versa. The findings revealed the potential of lignocellulosic biorefineries, as sustainable alternatives to fossil-based refineries to produce platform chemicals such as bioethylene and biopropylene, while also identifying areas for improvement, particularly in reducing acidification and human toxicity impacts. Future research should focus on improving process technologies, conducting long-term environmental impacts, and conducting an economic feasibility to evaluate the financial viability and market potential of novel platform chemicals

Strategies for effective regulation and control of pesticides towards improved environmental safety and sustainability in Nigeria

Ever since plant was first cultivated for food, there has been the need to protect it against diseases and pests and the intervention of chemicals after the world War II to combat pests and disease-causing organisms have greatly increased the global use of pesticides. Pesticides are beneficial to man and his environment but can also pose adverse effects if not effectively regulated and controlled, hence, regulations are developed to ensure safety of pesticides throughout its life cycle. It is however evident that, irrational and indiscriminate distribution and use of Plant Protection Products in Nigeria has resulted into high residue levels in food leading to contamination and pollution of the environmental matrices. The EU ban in 2015 on the importation of beans from Nigeria due to the detection of high levels of pesticide residues and use of unauthorized pesticides are also reflections of the indiscriminate use and ineffective control and regulations of Plant Protection Products in Nigeria. From the Pesticide residue analysis conducted in this study, the concentration of the organochlorines ranged from ND-0.88mg/kg, organophosphates ND-5.25mg/kg and pyrethroids ND-4.55mg/kg. Over 50% of the total samples analyzed showed residue levels above the EU Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). The National Pesticide Trade data revealed larger quantities of herbicide imports compared to other classes of imported pesticides. The current Nigeria pesticide regulations was found not to include some safety indicators as compared to those of EU and USA regulations on placing Plant Protection Products on the market. Recommendations for safety control and regulation systems for placing plant production products on the market in Nigeria have been articulated.Desde os primórdios da agricultura que a humanidade sente a necessidade de proteger as plantas de doenças e pragas. O desenvolvimento de produtos químicos que se seguiu à 2ª Guerra Mundial permitiu combater eficazmente pragas e organismos patogénicos, aumentando muito o uso global de pesticidas. Os pesticidas podem ser benéficos para o Homem e o meio ambiente, mas podem também causar efeitos adversos se não forem efetivamente regulados e controlados. É por isso essencial desenvolver e implementar regulamentação que garanta a segurança durante todo o ciclo de vida dos pesticidas. No caso da Nigéria, é flagrante que a distribuição indiscriminada e o uso irracional de fitofármacos resultou em elevados níveis de contaminação e poluição das matrizes ambientais e mesmo em resíduos de pesticidas nos alimentos. Em 2015 a União Europeia proibiu a importação de feijão da Nigéria devido à deteção de elevados níveis de resíduos de pesticidas, e à utilização de pesticidas não autorizados. Neste trabalho realizou-se a análise de resíduos de pesticidas em amostras de feijão recolhidas localmente em mercados na Nigéria, tendo-se obtido concentrações de organoclorados até 0,88 mg/kg, organofosforados até 5,25 mg/kg e piretróides até 4,55 mg/kg. Mais de 50% do total de amostras analisadas apresentaram níveis de resíduos acima do limite máximo residual (Maximum Residual Limit) definido pela UE. Os dados obtidos através dos registos de comércio internacional de pesticidas revelaram quantidades de herbicidas importados muito superiores à importação de pesticidas. Verificou-se que a atual regulamentação de pesticidas na Nigéria não inclui alguns indicadores de segurança, quando comparados com a regulamentação da UE e dos EUA sobre a colocação de produtos fitofarmacêuticos no mercado. Conclui-se com a articulação de um conjunto de recomendações para sistemas de controle de segurança e regulamentação para colocação de produtos fitofarmacêuticos na Nigéria

Water and Poverty Situation in Oyun Local Government Area, North-Central Nigeria

This study looks into the water and poverty situation in Oyun Local Government Area, North-central Nigeria. A well-structured questionnaire is used to collect data at household level. Thirty households were sampled at random in each of the 11 wards in the LGA, giving a total of 330 households. The data were analyzed using percentages, Kendall‘s correlation coefficient and WPI (Composite Index Method). The results revealed that Ojoku scored highest (62.4) while Igbonna scored lowest (52.0), which shows that it is the most water poor in the area. The result of the overall WPI (58.34) shows that the water and poverty situation in the whole of the LGA is slightly above average. The study concludes that the overall water and poverty situation in Oyun LGA is fair. It is therefore recommended that appropriate measure should be taken to improve the overall water accessibility and usage in the LGA by creating more watersupply points in the community and renovating/upgrading the existing water works in the area for improved pipe borne water supply. Also, water use should be extended beyond domestic usage into other sectors that can increase productivity and hence, the overall poverty level in the area.Key words: Water, Scarcity, Poverty, Access, Capacity, Resources,Uses, Environmen

Demand for non-alcoholic beverages among urban households in southwest, Nigeria

This study examined the roles of income, prices and household demography in household demand for non-alcoholic beverages (NABs) in two cities – Abeokuta and Ibadan in Southwest Nigeria. The study was based on primary data obtained from a cross-section of 407 households (211 from Abeokuta and 198 from Ibadan) drawn by multistage sampling technique across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 60 National Population Commission (NPC) enumeration areas (EAs). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on households NABs expenditure, income, prices and other relevant socio-economic variables. The data were analysed within the framework of a linear approximation of an Almost Ideal Demand System. The study found that an average household, consisting of five (5) members, expended an average N5, 235.89 per month on NABs (approximately US$34.21 at N153.06/US$1 exchange rate in 2010). The bulk (67%) of the NABs expenditures were devoted topurchase of dairy products (36%) and cocoa-based products used in preparing chocolate drinks (31%). The estimated income elasticity of demand for the six categories of NABs studied were positive while all the own price elasticity of demand were negative. Demand for dairy products and cocoa based drinks were found to be price elastic, while those of carbonated drinks, malt drinks, fruit juice and other NABs were price inelastic. Increase in education of the household heads was found to be associated with significant increase in the budget shares of dairy products (p<0.01) and fruit juice (p<0.10), but a significant reduction in budget shares of cocoa-based products (p<0.05), carbonated drinks (p<0.01) and malt drinks (p<0.05). The study concludes that policies aimed at promoting increased demand and healthy choices of NABS must pay some attention to raising real income and increasing level of education among the citizenry. Profitability of business enterprises involved in dairies and cocoa-based products would also be better enhanced if the firms adopt cost saving strategies as against price hikes in a bid to enhance performance.Key words: Demand, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, LA-AIDS mode

Efficacy of Modified Psychotherapy to Mitigate Depression Among African American Adults and Older Adults: A Systematic Review

It has been established that due to several factors, African American adults and older adults in the United States respond poorly to pharmacologic intervention in treating depression. The study will help to provide evidence and raise awareness on how to better serve the African American population with depression. This systematic review of the literature examines the effectiveness of using modified evidence-based psychotherapy and faith-based resources in improving depression among older African American adults over the use of conventional pharmacological intervention. 21 studies that recommended utilizing psychotherapy intervention to improve depression in this population were reviewed to better understand the need for using modified psychotherapy and faith-based for African American adults and older adults. All the reviewed articles concluded that modified psychotherapy is a better intervention for African American adults and older adults than pharmacological intervention. Given the composition of African Americans used for the studies reviewed, more clinical research is needed to accommodate the diverse cultures among African Americans. This study presents evidence on the effectiveness of using psychotherapy and faith-based resources in improving depression among African American adults and older adults in lieu of using pharmacological intervention for which this population demonstrated extremely poor response

Characterizing Groundwater Level and Flow Pattern in a Shallow Overburden Aquifer: a Study of Ilara-mokin and its Environs, Southwestern Nigeria

This study characterize groundwater yield and flow pattern on a shallow overburden aquifers of a basement complex rock in Ilara-mokin and its’ environs, southwestern Nigeria. A total of 40 wells were sampled by using a handheld GPS and well estimator to collect data on the wells parameters and the physiographic characteristics of the well’s locations. The data collected include: elevation, longitude, latitude, well depth, depth to water and well diameter of the sampled wells. The mean yield of the well has revealed by this study is 1.21m3, with high variability in yield depending on the nature of the underlying overburden aquifers of the sampled well. The static water level, groundwater flow direction, surface profile and 3-D elevation model of the study area were produced from the data collected using ArcGis 9.3 and surfer 8 GIS software. The groundwater flow direction in the study is towards the southwestern part of the study area with few exceptions as the case of Ikota in the eastern part of the study area. The study concluded that Ilara-mokin and it’s’ environs have poor groundwater yield that can sustain the increasing population. It is therefore recommended that there should be proper development, management and advance exploration of the groundwater in areas where water level is close to the surface especially within the lowland areas and isolated marginally thick overburden as confirmed by a previous hydro-geophysical studies carried out in the area.Keywords: Groundwater Flow, Yield, Overburden, Shallow Aquifer, Characterization, Static Water Level