Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the possible risk posed by suspected contaminants in Ekerekana and Okochiri river channels on ecological and human health using a resident fish, Periophthalmodon papillo. In this study, chemical- and bio-monitoring assessments were carried out in two sampling stations, Ekerekana (EKE) and Okochiri (OKO). The chemical monitoring involved sediment and environmental water quality analysis with the goal to identify target chemicals and evaluation of environmental water quality index (EWQI) for Ekerekana and Okochiri river channels. The bio-monitoring involved the assessment of target chemicals in fish tissue for the evaluation of the edibility status of the bio-indicator fish. Fish edibility study showed that the bio-indicator fish was found to be unsafe for consumption because lead (Pb) (5,4mg/kg) and Copper (Cu) (0,99mg/kg) were beyond their oral reference dose (RfD). The FCS showed an average Fish Consumption Rate (CR) of 5.3g/day in Okochiri and 4.6g/day in Ekerekana by subsistence fishers, with an age group range of 20-29 forming the highest consumers. The HQ>1 for Pb and Cu, meaning their levels in the edible part of the study fish is of potential concern and the estimated rate of the fish consumption can be hazardous to human health. The results suggest that the EKE and OKO creeks have a negative ecological and human health impact on the affected communities. There is therefore the urgent need to check the contamination of these creeks and river system in order to avert a more serious environmental consequence.

Abstract: Jacques Derrida is among influential Post Structuralist philosophers. Post structuralism is the major subdivision of contemporary western philosophy. This doctrine fundamentally seeks to attain justice (balance) of language and culture as far as acquisition and development in use is concerned. This phenomenon started to be felt in 1970s. Philosophers under this doctrine from time to time raised questions on problems of language and culture, which in turn do not have clear answers. This has given individuals ability to conceptualize the language and culture in a subjective facet. Derrida in his essay “Force of Law, The Mystical Foundation of Authority” addresses the problem of “Deconstruction” as fundamental question regarding the justice and law. Deconstruction is a sub category of Post Structuralism philosophical movement pioneered by Derrida, which attain to critic outlook over the relationship between text and meaning. This paper utilizes documentation as the major source of information. We expound philosophies and there relevance in bestowing knowledge on our societies especially on deconstruction phenomenon. In this work, we discuss the possibility and or limitations of justice and law in the process of reading, interpreting and judging of work/text. The paper concludes that, Philosophy especially Post Structuralism paved a way to humanistic approach, which open our minds to attain new judgments and level of understanding.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to ascertain the pollution status of Ekerekana (EKE) and Okochiri rivers channels in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. These creeks and river channels are receptacle to waste water effluent of Port Harcourt Refining Company situated at Eleme in Rivers State. Chemical and bio-monitoring was done. This involved the assessment of Condition Factor, Health Assessment Index and Histological assessment of target organs in qualitative and semi- quantitative (SQHA) scenario. Fish harvested from the experimental site (OKO) were compared with Fish harvested from a control site – African Regional Aqua-Culture Centre (ARAC). Results showed that the Environmental Water Quality Index for EKE (9.0) and OKO (35.9) were both poor with abnormal levels of temperature, conductivity, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) at EKE and conductivity, salinity and Cd at OKO. Gross Anatomical Assessment showed that CF for OKO (1.9) was greater than ARAC (1,8), HAI for OKO (83.6) was greater than ARAC (18). QHA showed higher % prevalence in histological alteration in Gills, liver and Kidney of fish from OKO than ARAC. Histological alterations were consistent with toxicological study of exposure to similar substances. SQHA showed that OKO (30.3) had a higher fish index value than ARAC (7.7). Indicating that fish from OKO had pronounced alterations of organ tissue (class 4 = index value 26-35), while ARAC had slight histological alterations (class 1 = index value <10). It was concluded that EKE and OKO creeks and river channels were polluted and aquatic lives were seriously under threat.

Abstract: Vitamin E group of vitamins consist of varying proportions of tocotrienols based upon the natural sources. The major health benefits are associated by the tocotrienols while their isomers, tocopherols, exert antioxidant properties. The two subgroups of vitamin E share many distinct biological activities. In vitro and in vivo mice studies suggested that tocotrienols are critical in mediating anticancer, anti-inflammatory, lipid lowering, radio protection and neuro protection functions. Numerous human studies showed the evidence that tocotrienols can be supplemented to reach high concentrations in whole blood but desired pharmacological activity is questionable. Bioavailability and further bio distribution depends upon the food in stomach, health condition of the patient and other metabolizing and excretion parameters. In this current review, we have a discussion about few human studies that were conducted to show the value of tocotrienol supplementation in cancer prevention and treatment.

Abstract: Tannery Liquid effluents collected from the Challawa Industrial Estate in Kano City were treated with aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera Lam seeds whereby 20gms of the seed powder was extracted with 250cm3 of distilled water. Then 20cm3 of the aqueous extract was used in the treatment of 100cm3 of the effluent as the extract volume was found to be the optimum level that would provide the best treated effluent water quality. Some physicochemical and biochemical parameters of the treated effluent were measured using standard analytical techniques. When the results were compared with effluent samples treated with alum, remarkable improvement in the water quality was observed in favour of the samples treated with the plant extract. For instance, improved turbidity values on samples obtained from the production lines in one of the tanneries and other areas within the estate ranged between 54% and 79% above what was obtained using alum. The aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera was very effective in the removal of the solid matter in which 100 per cent effectiveness were obtained for the total, dissolved as well as suspended solids. The advantage of using the aqueous extract of the Moringa oleifera seed powder is the wide dose range over which effective treatment can be achieved and maintained without affecting the recycled water quality.

Abstract: This study examined the ecotoxicological evaluation of commercial fish pond in Ogbogoro, Port Harcourt, and Rivers State Nigeria using the histological assessment of Clarias gariepenus, using African Aquaculture Centre (ARAC) as a reference site. The sampling involved harvesting of twenty table sized fish from Ogbogoro commercial fish pond and ten table-sized of the same species from ARAC. The histological assessment involved the determination of the qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of the gills of the harvested fishes. Histological alterations observed were based on circulatory disturbances (CD) which includes hyperemia, haemorrhage, vacuolation. Regressive change (RC) which includes necrosis and progressive change (PC). Results showed that tissue samples of gills showed an almost equal prevalence in histological alterations in OGB as compared to ARAC, where gill was 16.67% against 16.68%. The Histological Alteration Index, that is, mean fish Index (FI) for OGB is 14.7, making it slightly greater than ARAC, which is 14.6. It was concluded therefore that the OGB fish pond was moderately polluted.

Abstract: Biodiversity has become one of the major environmental issues of our time especially with the on-setting climate change. The basic problem is the increased rate of extinction as a result of expanding human population, over exploitation of natural resources, land clearing and land use development for mono agriculture without vast integration of trees into crop production. Biodiversity refers to the life forms on earth and include the millions of plants, animals, birds and micro-organisms, the gene they contain and the intricate ecosystems they help to built into living environment. If the biological wealth of the world is to be maintained, the benefits of biodiversity in agroforestry need an international recognition. It forms the major part of our life-support systems. It constitutes the source of all our food and much of our raw materials. In order to create the necessary consciousness that would lead to wise use of land and conservation of biodiversity, the knowledge of the benefits of biodiversity in agroforestry should be wide spread. This paper highlights some of these benefits.

Abstract: The function of the immune system is to protect our system from pathogens entering our body and react immunologically to cells from a genetically different person. At the same time, the immune cells maintain tolerance to our own body cells and do not reject them. This is called as self-tolerance. However, in case of autoimmune diseases and cancer, the immune system identifies our cells as foreign and generates immune reactions resulting in severe damage to the affected organ. However, on the other hand, the cancer cells are eliminated or rejected by our immune system in the early stages but support their growth at later stage. These immune reactions controlling the self-tolerance are mediated by T regulatory cells which maintain immune homeostasis under healthy condition by keeping the effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells under regulated state. Upon loss of immune balance T regulatory cells cannot suppress the effector T cells’ activity resulting in autoimmune or autoinflammatory reactions. This review will discuss the various subtypes of T regulatory cells and their role in autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Abstract: Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) or English as a second Language (ESL) context worldwide always strive hard to uphold their quality teaching by preparing their learners fit for the real life. Now-a-days, in communicative classrooms, teachers and learners enjoy friendly environment where they can contribute equally i.e. learners have the scopes to share their feelings with teachers without hesitation that helps to broaden the path of successful learning. At the same time, in the present world the views of the learners are considered with greater importance by teachers and educators as they believe in learner autonomy for effective teaching and learning. If the learners can contribute promptly and the teachers can adjust their mode of instructions accordingly, both the parties will be able to complete their language mission rewardingly. This paper aims to find out learners’ insights on the responsibilities of a language teacher for an effective classroom, collecting information through a group wise classroom discussion activity participated by university level learners (67 participants) of Bangladesh Agricultural University, which may add some values in the field of EFL research, especially in Bangladesh.

Abstract: Essential oil of Fagara macrophylla from DR Congo was tested for antihemolytic, radical scavenging and antibacterial activities. The extraction gives an essential oil yield of 1.08 %, density of 0.7066 and refractive index of 1.4721 20°C. Aqueous and methanolic extracts showed high antisickling activity with the normalization rate (NR), the minimal concentration of normalization (MCN) and the concentration that normalized 50% of RBC (ED50) for aqueous extract of respectively 93%, 8µg/mL and 0.43µg/mL and for the methanolic extract NR, MCN and ED50 are respectively of 91%, 12µg/mL and 0.60µg/mL. The essential oil showed no antisickling activity but weak antihemolytic and radical scavenging activities. The F macrophylla essential oil showed higher bacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus than the two antibiotics used as standards (Meropenem, Ceftriaxone).

Abstract: Water distillation and provision of drinking water takes a high percentage of electricity generated in many countries of the world. Solar distillation benefits from the sun's free energy in purifying salty or contaminated water and making it drinkable. In this study, a single distillation was produced and a distillate production was studied in the Spring of Baghdad-Iraq in 2017. A fan used to cool the glass cover was used at 12 noon. In other experiments, the lid was sprayed with water to cool. The results showed that the cooling of the glass cover in both methods caused the distillation of the distillate yield, but in the case of water, the improvement was greater.

Abstract: This article explains the dichotomous phenomenon of rationality with religious belief in man. Both phenomena are represented here by Moses (faith and holiness) and Spinoza (rationalism and pantheism). This very early psychological phenomenon was discussed in anthropological research by Durkheim and Claude Levi Strauss, whose conclusions are consistent with the fact that these two approaches are combined allowing the rational person to contain both opposites. After presenting the background to this phenomenon, Spinoza's pantheistic approach will be discussed. We continue with Moshe's approach to holiness based on Scripture and its interpretation, while comparing the two approaches in a comparative study close to the original texts. The discussion will lead to the limitations of reason and the need for faith to fulfill it. An explanation of this need will be presented in Durkheim and Strauss`s interpretation as a phenomenon incorporated within spirit of man as his desire to exist. The article concludes that this existential aspiration is a metaphysical phenomenon.

Abstract: The effect of toxic chemicals on aquatic lives has been a problem in many communities and populations around the world today. Ekerekana and Okochiri communities in Okrika local government area of Rivers state Nigeria, whose river channel is a receptacle to Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Port Harcourt Refinery’s effluent is not an exemption. It is perceived that this effluent has a negative ecological and human health impact on the affected communities. This study involved the use of Histology as a biomarker to tackle these environmental problems. The ecotoxicological study was carried out in Ekerekana (EKE station) and Okochiri (OKO station), while an aqua-culture centre – African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC) at Buguma, Rivers state was used as the reference or control site. This followed a gross anatomical study of harvested fishes by applying a condition Factor (CF) equation and a fish health assessment index (HAI) protocol. Histological assessment protocol in a qualitative and semi-qualitative scenario was also done. The Environmental Water Quality Index (EWQI) result for the experimental sites were poor (10.5) and marginal (57.5) for EKE and OKO respectively. Sediment quality show elevated Pd. A comparative fish study shows: no significant difference for CF in ARAC (4.62) and OKO (6.65); HAI was better in ARAC (16.0) than OKO (55.5). This study was ecologically relevant; it revealed that Ekerekena and Okochiri creeks are contaminated with a moderate level of pollution.

Abstract: The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Farm, Sylhet Agricultural University during November 2012 to February 2013 to know the performance of pea varieties under rice-based relay and conventional tillage cropping systems. There were two sowing methods; i. Relay with transplant aman rice and ii. Conventional through land preparation after harvest of transplant rice and four pea varieties; i. BARI motoshuti-1, ii. IPSA motorshuti-1, iii. Jhikorgacha local and iv. Natore local as treatments in the experiment. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design assigning sowing methods in the main plot and varieties in the sub-plots. The results revealed that the highest green pod yield (3333 kg/ha) was obtained from Natore local and this was statistically at par with that of Jhikorgacha local (3234 kg/ha) in the relay cropping system. The lowest green pod yield (1745 kg/ha) was obtained from BARI motorshuti-1 under conventional method of sowing. Due to lower number of pod/plant all varieties produced lower green pod yield in spite of higher plant population/m2 in the conventional sowing method. Natore local motorshuti produced the highest fodder yield (4055 kg/ha) under relay cropping system which was significantly different from the others and BARI motoroshuti-1 produced the lowest (2220 kg/ha) under conventional sowing method. The maximum gross return (Tk 1,74,760 /ha) was obtained from the variety Natore local followed by Jhikorgacha local (Tk 1, 69, 218 /ha) in relay cropping system. Similar trends were found in case of gross margin.