Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle flower), Curcuma longa (Turmeric) and Sorghum vulgare (Guinea corn) are utilised in Nigeria for food and as natural colorants in home industries for dye and beverage production. The study investigates the formulation, characterization, and production of inks from these plant extracts using standard procedures. Inks were prepared from water-based and methanol-based extracts of Turmeric (WTE and MTE), Guinea corn stalk (WGE and MGE), and Roselle flower (WRE and MRE), with Dacryodes edulis exudate serving as a binder of eco-friendly, sustainable and cost-effective stamp pad ink. The raw materials were characterized according to standard procedures. Different ratios of the plant extracts were used to formulate the inks, with the optimal blend selected for stamp pad production. Characterization of the inks were conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR), Ultra violet/visible (UV/vis) spectrometer, viscometer and pH meter. Results indicated the presence of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. The inks exhibited viscosity ranging from 121.06 –313.86 kgm-1s-1, absorbance values from 0.010 – 2.578, and pH levels from 3.1- 6.5. FTIR analysis showed the inks contain chromophores and auxochromes including NO, C=C, C=O, C≡C, and -OH groups. Drying times for the formulated inks varied from 3 –11 minutes, compared to 1-3 minutes for the control ink, with methanol-based formulated inks (MbFI) drying faster than water-based formulated ink (WbFI). The produced stamp pad demonstrated good ink adhesion on paper.

This study compared the effectiveness of bare zero-valent iron nanoparticles (B-nZVI) and starch-stabilized zero-valent iron nanoparticles (S-nZVI) in immobilizing Pb and Cd from lead-acid battery waste soils. Both B-nZVI and S-nZVI were prepared in almost identical manner using the technique of reducing ferric chloride with sodium borohydride. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses confirmed that polydisperse B-nZVI and S-nZVI were synthesized. XRD and DLS analyses showed that B-nZVI and S-nZVI had different surface properties. To assess the immobilization capability of B-nZVI and S-nZVI, a composite soil sample was collected from an automobile lead-acid battery waste dumpsite. The soil sample had a pH of 3.85 and Pb and Cd levels of 16,674 mg/kg and 41 mg/kg, respectively. Single extraction procedures using 0.01M CaCl2, 0.1 M HCl, and 0.05 M EDTA were used to simulate phytoavailable Pb and Cd in the soil studied. Batch immobilization analysis showed that Cd was mobile in the control but immobile in B-nZVI and S-nZVI treated soils. Pb was however not immobile in either the control or treated soils. The mobility of Pb however decreased with increasing doses of S-nZVI and 0.003 g of S-nZVI was needed to make Pb completely immobile in soil. Batch immobilization also showed that S-nZVI was 1.8-2.49 times more efficient in immobilizing Pb than B-nZVI. Simulated phytoavailability of Pb was in the order of EDTA > HCl > CaCl2 > H2O while simulated photoavailable Cd was in the order of HCl > EDTA > H2O > CaCl2.

Activated Carbon of high adsorption efficiency and highly active surface properties were prepared from water melon fruits peels by using 1M H2SO4 solution, followed by activation at 300oC for 30 minutes. The adsorption capacity of the activated carbon is considered on the following; the effect of concentration, adsorbent dosage, and contact time. The physicochemical characteristics such as ash content (18.7%), pH(6.72),moisture content (1.82), bulk density(0.36) and conductivity (32.4) were investigated to understand the adsorptive capacity of activated carbon prepared from water melon peels. The adsorptive efficiency of the adsorbent in removing Cadmium and Copper ions from wastewater were compared with Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm, which proved effective removal efficiency within the range of 91.80 – 99.98 %. On the whole chemically activated watermelon peels should be used in treating our wastewaters, for a cleaner and healthier environment.

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and Hydrocarbons in Sediment, Shell and Flesh of the Faunas in Qua-Iboe River at Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria was undertaken. The faunas and sediment sample were collected from designated locations and a control location along Ikot-Ibok in dry and wet seasons using standard analytical sampling methods. The samples were analyzed for heavy metals and hydrocarbons content by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and gas chromatography respectively. pH of the samples was assessed. Transfer factor (TF) of the heavy metals between the sediment and the faunas were calculated. Regression models (linear and power equation) were developed to predict the numerical relationship between total petroleum hydrocarbon and total hydrocarbon content (TPH and THC) and heavy metals concentration in shell (predictor) of fauna in relation to their concentration in the flesh (dependent). Results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis such as coefficient of variation and mean. The concentration range of the heavy metals of both faunas and sediment was 0.001 – 86. 686 mg/kg. These value are above the World Health Organization and National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (WHO/NESREA) standards (0.001 -5.0mg/kg). The coefficient of variation (C.V) had a range of 0.0152 – 193.333% which showed variation in stability of the heavy metals. Transfer factor (TF) showed that Tympanotomus fuscatus tissue bioaccumulated most heavy metals. Hydrocarbons (TPH and THC) and heavy metals concentration in the flesh of Ostreidea and Tympanomus fuscatus tissue were predicted from its shells at highly significant level (P - ≤ 0.05). This study has provided information on the levels of heavy metals and Hydrocarbons in faunas and sediment. In addition, the study has also developed models for predicting the levels of heavy metals and hydrocarbon content in the flesh from the shell of the faunas studied.

The study was undertaken to determine the levels of 16 priority PAHs in soil and sediments from some vicinities of Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin. The soils were prepared using standard procedure in the laboratory and analyzed for 16 US EPA priority PAHs using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The soil samples were obtained from two sampling sites at Ikot Akpaden (Site A and C). Site C showed minimal PAHs concentration while site A recorded PAHs levels ranging from 0.01 to 4.25 mg/kg. According to European commission, the PAHs concentrations in soil samples of this study are moderate, but deleterious over time. The soils were negatively affected more with low molecular weight PAHs than High Molecular Weight PAHs.This study revealed that the sampling sites had low carcinogenic burden, hence would exhibit moderate adverse health effects to plants and animals. It was concluded that automobile repair activities in site A contributed to the soil contamination with PAHs; hence it should be properly sited.

Enhancing quality of prescribing practices for older adults discharged from the Emergency Department (EQUIPPED) aims to reduce the monthly proportion of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed to older adults discharged from the ED to 5% or less. We describe prescribing outcomes at three academic health systems adapting and sequentially implementing the EQUIPPED medication safety programme. EQUIPPED was adapted from a model developed in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and sequentially implemented in one academic health system per year over a 3-year period. The monthly proportion of PIMs, as defined by the 2015 American Geriatrics Beers Criteria, of all medications prescribed to adults aged 65 years and older at discharge was assessed for 6 months preimplementation until 12 months postimplementation using a generalised linear time series model with a Poisson distribution. The EQUIPPED programme was translated from the VA health system and its electronic medical record into three health systems each using a version of the Epic electronic medical record. Adaptation occurred through local modification of order sets and in the generation and delivery of provider prescribing reports by local champions. Baseline monthly PIM proportions 6 months prior to implementation at the three sites were 5.6% (95% CI 5.0% to 6.3%), 5.8% (95% CI 5.0% to 6.6%) and 7.3% (95% CI 6.4% to 9.2%), respectively. Evaluation of monthly prescribing including the twelve months post-EQUIPPED implementation demonstrated significant reduction in PIMs at one of the three sites. In exploratory analyses, the proportion of benzodiazepine prescriptions decreased across all sites from approximately 17% of PIMs at baseline to 9.5%–12% postimplementation, although not all reached statistical significance. EQUIPPED is feasible to implement outside the VA system. While the impact of the EQUIPPED model may vary across different health systems, results from this initial translation suggest significant reduction in specific high-risk drug classes may be an appropriate target for improvement at sites with relatively low baseline PIM prescribing rates.

There is no much information regarding the partial replacement of palm olein with palm kernel oil. Palm olein mixed with palm kernel oil is commonly sold in Nigeria market today without proper blending and without determination of their suitability to consumer also ignorant of what ratio to be blended. Therefore, blends of palm olein (POL) and palm kernel oil (PKO) were formulated to assess their stability under elevated temperature using a fast, simple and reliable CDR palm oil tester photometric technology. The results were then compared with those obtained in POL. The blends studied were to investigate the effects of palm kernel oil partial replacement on the chemical stability of palm olein. the blends as partial replacement were missed in the ratio of PKO:POL(100:0), PKO:POL(80:20), PKO:POL(60:40) and POL:PKO(100:0), POL:PKO(80:20), POL:PKO(60:40). The POL, PKO and its blends were heated at 100, 150 and 200ᵒC. The time of heating were 20, 40 and 60mins respectively, making a total of 1 hour for heating without any frying operations. The physicochemical properties of the oil samples were fatty acid composition, free fatty acid, peroxide value, iodine value, anisidine value, cloud point, colour, melting point, viscosity and totox value were evaluated over heating time. Blending palm olein (POL) unsaturated oils with saturated (PKO) generally improved the parameters comparable to those demonstrated in palm olein (POL) and palm kernel oil alone. The result showed that as PKO was increased the concentration of saturated fatty acid also increased while unsaturated fatty acid decreased. Saturated oils were generally more stable to oxidation and less sensitive to thermal stress. Increase in the amount of PKO lead to reduction in FFA.

OBJECTIVES To present the three-site EQUIPPED academic health system research collaborative, which engaged in sequential implementation of the EQUIPPED medication safety program, as a learning health system; to understand how the organizations worked together to build resources for program scale-up. DESIGN Following the Replicating Effective Programs framework, we analyzed content from implementation teams' focus groups, local and cross-site meeting minutes and sites' organizational profiles to develop an implementation package. SETTING Three academic emergency departments that each implemented EQUIPPED over three successive years. PARTICIPANTS Implementation team members at each site participating in focus groups (n = 18), local meetings during implementation years, and cross-site meetings during all years of the projects. INTERVENTION(S) EQUIPPED provides Emergency Department providers with clinical decision support (education, order sets, and feedback) to reduce prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications to adults aged 65 years and older who received a prescription at time of discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Implementation process components assembled through successive implementation. RESULTS Each site had clinical and environmental characteristics to be addressed in implementing the EQUIPPED program. We identified 10 process elements and describe lessons for each. Lessons guided the compilation of the EQUIPPED intervention package or toolkit, including the EQUIPPED logic model. CONCLUSIONS Our academic health system research collaborative addressing medication safety through sequential implementation is a learning health system that can serve as a model for other quality improvement projects with multiple sites. The network produced an implementation package that can be vetted, piloted, evaluated, and finalized for large-scale dissemination in community-based settings.

The assessment of heavy metals and hydrocarbon contents in mangrove swamp flora and fauna in Qua-Iboe River was investigated. The sediment, Callinectes Sapidus and Rhizophora mangle in the study area were analysed for Pb, Cd, Hg, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and total hydrocarbon content (THC) in wet and dry season. Results showed that, among the metals investigated, Pb had the highest concentration in all the samples for both wet and dry seasons, ranging from 0.002 – 2.344mg/kg. THC showed a higher concentration than TPH in all the samples, ranging from 492.41 to 794,931.81 mg/kg while TPH ranged from 175.97 – 129204.54 mg/kg. Generally, pollutant concentrations were higher in the dry season than wet season and the bioaccumulative behavior of HM in the samples followed the order: sediment > Rhizophora mangle > callinectes sapidus while hydrocarbon bioaccumulation followed the order: Rhizophora mangle > callinectes sapidus > sediment. The concentration of Pb and hydrocarbon in the samples analysed were found to exceed the WHO and FEnv permissible limit, posing an environmental risk to aquatic flora and fauna.

This study assesses the levels of heavy metals and hydrocarbons in Tympanotomus fuscatus and the sediments of Qua Iboe River, Akwa Ibom State; the interest in the study area was due to the several industrial and oil exploration activities in the area. The heavy metals (HM) of interest were Pb, Cd, Cu, Se, Zn, As, Cr, Fe, Ni and Hg, determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy while Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) were determined by the GC-FID method. Results obtained indicated that the heavy metal concentration in Tympanotomus fuscatus ranged as follows: Pb (1.037 – 2.002 mg/kg), Cd (0.00 – 0.088 mg/kg), Cu (0.0037 – 10.01 mg/kg), Se (2.364 – 5.063 mg/kg), Zn (0.025 – 1.393 mg/kg), As (0.0113 – 0.355 mg/kg), Cr (1.075 – 3.055 mg/kg), Fe (2.384 – 10.022), Ni (0.045 – 1.223 mg/kg), Hg (0.037 – 1.003 mg/kg) while heavy metal concentration in sediments were: Pb (1.399 – 2.345 mg/kg), Cd (0.0267– 0.222 mg/kg), Cu (0.017 – 10.0197 mg/kg), Se (1.388 – 3.369 mg/kg), Zn (5.688 – 8.038 mg/kg), As (0.003 – 0.0317 mg/kg), Cr (0.0157 – 2.057 mg/kg), Fe (27.351 – 86.686), Ni (0.017 – 5.0413 mg/kg), Hg (0.06 – 1.53 mg/kg); generally, heavy metals levels were higher in dry season than in wet season. The levels of TPH ranged from 160.86 – 1081.52 mg/kg in Tympanotomus fuscatus and 175.97 – 3143.91 mg/kg in sediments; meanwhile, the concentration of TPH ranged from 728.47 – 2442.04 mg/kg in Tympanotomus fuscatus and 492.41 – 7186.25 mg/kg in sediments. Multiple correlation coefficient matrixes were carried out to ascertain the relationship between the pollutants concentration in the biota and sediments. Furthermore, predictive modeling of pollutant concentration in flesh and shell of Tympanotomus fuscatus was estimated. The results indicate that the amounts of HM, TPH and THC in some of the study sites were above the maximum permissible limit set by WHO and FMEnv; thus, pose health risk to humans.

The activated carbon produced from Hura crepitans seed shell was effectively utilized as adsorbent for the removal of eosin red and malachite green from waste water. Thus the adsorption of eosin red, a typical acid dye and malachite green, a typical basic dye from synthetic waste water using Hura crepitans seed shell activated carbon was studied. The effect of adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration and contact time was evaluated. The residual eosin red and malachite green concentration in solutions was determined using UV-visible spectrophotometer. All batch experiments were carried out at room temperature (± 2°C) using mechanical shaker that operates at 200 rpm. The results showed that the efficiency of dye adsorption increased with increase in amount of adsorbent, contact time, and with decrease in concentration of dye. The qmax for the adsorption of Malachite green was higher than that of Eosin red showing that MG were removed from waste water easily than ER. The results also showed that the adsorption of the two dyes follow pseudo-first order kinetics. Adsorption isotherm obtained for eosin red follows the Freundlichmodel while the adsorption isotherm obtained for Malachite green followed the Langmuir model.

The physico-chemical and bacteriological analysis of borehole water in Ikot Akpaden and the surrounding villages in Mkpat Enin Local Government area of Nigeria designated as S 1 ,S 2 ,S 3 ,S 4 ,S 5 and S 6 have been carried out using standard analytical techniques. The physico-chemical results show that the secondary water quality parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, Turb., Alka., CaH., MgH., TH., DO., Cl - ., NO 3 - , NO 2 - , SO 4 2- , F - , Fe were either within or below the permissible range recommended by NSDWQ, USPH and WHO.The Statiscal analysis shows a high positive correlation between EC and TDS ; TH and MgH; SO 4 2- and CaH ; evidently, their distribution were significantly correlated, r >0.5. High negative correlation coefficient were seen between F - and Alka; NO 2 - and pH . Coefficient of Variation has also been calculated for the various parameters. However, the results of bacteriological analysis indicated that the water samples were E.coli contaminated in sites S 4 and S 5 , while all the samples were T.c contaminated. Keywords: Borehole water; Physico-Chemical, Bacteriological , Analysis , Statistical.

Suboptimal medication prescribing for older adults has been described in a number of emergency department ( ED ) studies. Despite this, few studies have examined ED ‐targeted interventions aimed at reducing the use of potentially inappropriate medications ( PIM s). Enhancing Quality of Prescribing Practices for Older Veterans Discharged from the ED ( EQU i PPED ) is an ongoing multicomponent, interdisciplinary quality improvement initiative in eight Department of Veterans Affairs ED s. The project aims to decrease the use of PIM s, as identified by the Beers criteria, prescribed to veterans aged 65 and older at the time of ED discharge. Interventions include provider education; informatics‐based clinical decision support with electronic medical record–embedded geriatric pharmacy order sets and links to online geriatric content; and individual provider education including academic detailing, audit and feedback, and peer benchmarking. Poisson regression was used to compare the number of PIM s that staff providers prescribed to veterans aged 65 and older discharged from the ED before and after the initiation of the EQU i PPED intervention. Initial data from the first implementation site show that the average monthly proportion of PIM s that staff providers prescribed was 9.4 ± 1.5% before the intervention and 4.6 ± 1.0% after the initiation of EQU i PPED (relative risk = 0.48, 95% confidence interval = 0.40–0.59, P < .001). Preliminary evaluation demonstrated a significant and sustained reduction of ED ‐prescribed PIM s in older veterans after implementation of EQU i PPED . Longer follow‐up and replication at collaborating sites would allow for an assessment of the effect on health outcomes and costs.

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) has been a major global public health problem threatening more than 2 billion people worldwide. Considering various human health implications associated with iodine deficiency, universal salt iodization programme has been recognized as one of the best methods of preventing iodine deficiency disorder and iodizing table salt is currently done in many countries. In this study, comparative assessment of iodine content of commercially available table salt brands in Nigerian market were investigated and iodine content were measured in ten table salt brands samples using iodometric titration. The iodine content ranged from 14.80 mg/kg – 16.90 mg/kg with mean value of 15.90 mg/kg for Sea salt; 24.30 mg/kg – 25.40 mg/kg with mean value of 24.60 mg/kg for Dangote salt (blue sachet); 22.10 mg/kg – 23.10 mg/kg with mean value of 22.40 mg/kg for Dangote salt (red sachet); 23.30 mg/kg – 24.30 mg/kg with mean value of 23.60 mg/kg for Mr Chef salt; 23.30 mg/kg – 24.30 mg/kg with mean value of 23.60 mg/kg for Annapurna; 26.80 mg/kg – 27.50 mg/kg with mean value of 27.20mg/kg for Uncle Palm salt; 23.30 mg/kg – 29.60 mg/kg with mean content of 26.40 mg/kg for Dangote (bag); 25.40 mg/kg – 26.50 mg/kg with mean value of 26.50 mg/kg for Royal salt; 36.80 mg/kg – 37.20 mg/kg with mean iodine content of 37.0 mg/kg for Abakaliki refined salt, and 30.07 mg/kg – 31.20 mg/kg with mean value of 31.00 mg/kg for Ikom refined salt. The mean iodine content measured in the Sea salt brand (15.70 mg/kg) was significantly P < 0.01 lower compared to those measured in other table salt brands. Although the iodine content of Abakaliki and Ikom refined salt exceed the recommended value, it is clear that only Sea salt brand falls below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended value (20 – 30 mg/kg), while the remaining table salt samples are just within the range. The results obtained have revealed that 70 % of the table salt brands were adequately iodized while 30 % of the table salt brands were not adequately iodized and provided baseline data that can be used for potential identification of human health risks associated with inadequate and/or excess iodine content in table salt brands consumed in households in Nigeria.