International Journal of Research and Review

6-13

Authors: H. M. Maishanu, M. M. Mainasara, B. L. Aliero, A. D. Isah., S. E. Ojonugwa

The effects of fire on biomass structure and productivity of herbaceous plants of the Biological Sciences Garden, Permanent site, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) were investigated in this study. The experimental site was divided into plots A and B. Plot A was treated with fire (burnt) and plot B was protected from fire (unburnt). The plant samples were hand-clipped in five replicates from each plot after selection by random throws of 20cm2 quadrat and their wet and dry biomass determined using an electric weighing balance. It was found that above ground biomass of the herbaceous plants in the burnt plot were higher than that in the unburnt plot. Significant differences were observed between the plant biomass of the burnt plot and unburnt plot for the interval of June to October sampling period at P<0.05. The Net Primary Production (NPP) values of the above ground biomass in the burnt plot was found to be 0.0414kg/ha compared with 0.0271kg/ha in the unburnt plot (P<0.05). The study also shows grasses and forbs vegetation cover with total count of pin hits on the plant cover as 421 and 284 for burnt plot and the unburnt plots respectively. The study has demonstrated high biomass yield in the burnt plot, indicative of better pasture. With enlightenment and proper control, fire can be used especially in designed grazing areas to provide good nutrition to livestock.

18-21

Authors: Sunil Jayant Kulkarni

Many investigators have expressed urgent need for pollution control measures which are effective and acceptable. Many harmful gases cause different health problems to human beings. Gases such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide can be removed from exhaust gases by different methods. Greenhouse gases allow shortwave radiations to pass through the earth’s atmosphere and heat the land and oceans. The long wave radiation emitted from earth surface cannot pass through atmosphere due to these greenhouse gases. This phenomenon leads to greenhouse effect. Vehicular and industrial pollution is main contributor to the greenhouse gases and global warming. Water vapor plays a very important role in energy transport by convection. Combination of solar radioactive heating and the strength of the greenhouse effect determine the surface temperature of a planet.

26-28

Authors: N. S. Neki, Gagandeep Singh Shergill, Amritpal Singh

Allopurinol is a drug used primarily to treat hyperuricemia and its complications including chronic gout. It causes DRESS (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) syndrome as a hypersensitivity reaction as a rare side effect of it. We report a case of 62 year old female presented with complaints of fever, jaundice, dyspnea, and generalized rash after 3 months of allopurinol treatment for hyperuricemia. She was diagnosed as a case of DRESS syndrome. Allopurinol treatment was stopped and steroid treatment was started. Patient was discharged after 4 weeks in a satisfactory condition.

36-41

Authors: Joanita Nakatude Wasswa, Terry Nosa Omorodion, Godwin Ovie Avwioro, Olawale Saheed Asimiyu

The use of plant medicine dates back to ancient times, the nearly all year round availability and the relatively cheaper cost of medicinal plants in sub Saharan Africa makes them more attractive as therapeutic agents when compared to the orthodox medicine. The use of herbal medicine is on the increase globally, hence the increased interest on research on herbal formulations and preparations. Some of these plants are used as condiments and ingredients in food thus referred to as local spices. One of such plants used as a local spice in Nigeria is Piper guineense traditionally called ‘Uziza’ amongst the Igbo tribe, ‘Iyere’ amongst the Yoruba tribe, ‘Etinkene’ amongst the Efik and Ibibio tribe and ‘Ebe-ahinhi akpoke’ amongst the Edo tribe. The leaves and seeds of Piper guineense were initially consumed in the Southern part of Nigeria but overtime its consumption has spread across the entire country even into neighboring countries like Benin republic, Ghana, Liberia, Cameroun amongst others Also, its incorporation in intercontinental dishes and its high demand by Nigerians in foreign countries has promoted its use in countries far and wide. The aim of this research is to detect and demonstrate any histological effect of Piper guineense leaves on the liver of Wistar rats. Specific objectives are: To assess behavioral responsiveness of Wistar rats to the leaves of Piper guineense, to detect physical variation in normal body processes/ activities, to harvest and process liver successfully, to assess histological responsiveness of the liver to the leaves of P. guineense, to determine the amount of P. guineense that causes marked histological changes, to identify and compare histological effects of P. guineense leaves when consumed at different doses. During the course of experimental feeding, it was observed that all rats in the experimental groups responded positively to Piper guineense leaves. There was increased agility, faster consumption and enhanced coordination in the rats. There was also a characteristic aggressiveness amongst certain rats in groups four (4) and five (5). At purchase, the rats weighed between 125-145g. During the acclimatization period which lasted for two (2) weeks, three rats died due to what I termed the “Helicopter Syndrome” which is characterized by loss of appetite, emaciation, weakness, dislocation of neck with head leaning to the right, consistent rolling over and vigorous twirling in circular motion during carriage.

54-75

Authors: Abraham Tsehay Jemberie

Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), a German philosopher, is considered as the father of modern ethics and one of the great philosophers in the history of philosophy. He wanted to establish firm foundation for moral philosophy. He contributed something new to modern ethics which was not attempted by earlier ethicists. He wanted to show by using reason that morality is based on a single supreme universal principle, which is binding to all rational beings. Precisely, Kant wanted to establish the first principle of morality which neglects all consideration of self-interest and even particular human problems. In the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Kant claimed that his intention is to seek out and establish the supreme principle of morality, and that supreme principle is the categorical imperative. He puts the supreme principle of morality or the categorical imperative in at least five ways. These are formula of universal law (FUL), formula of universal law (FLN), formula of humanity (FH), formula of humanity (FA), and formula of realm of ends (FRE). However, Kant affirms that there is one canonical and general formulation of the categorical imperative and it is the FUL. For him, the other formulas are not distinct ethical principles; rather they are the reformulations or variant formulations of the single categorical imperative. Kant put this position in his works, The Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. So, in this paper, I will mainly concentrate on the fundamental doctrine of the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. As I have tried to make clear before, Kant’s aim in the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals is to search for and establish the supreme principle of morality (i.e., categorical imperative). He attempted to do this at the end of the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. But, to me, the way he attempted to justify the categorical imperative is problematic. Thus, in this paper, I argue that Kant did not put the categorical imperative or morality on a solid ground.