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Purpose: This study examines the roles of poverty reduction and social inclusion as socioeconomic factors in achieving sustainable development (SD) in Nigeria from 1970 to 2019. Design/methodology/approach: Vector error correction model (VECM) is adopted as the analytical technique. Three groups of factors are employed when determining SD: economic (per capital gross domestic product [GDP] and the inflow of foreign direct investment [FDI]), social (life expectancy, school enrollment, poverty and the proportion of women in parliament) and environmental (CO2emission and natural resource endowment). Findings: The findings reveal that the economic factors (GDP per capita and the inflow of FDI to the GDP ratio) and two of the social determinants (life expectancy and school enrollment) have a positive effect on SD while the remaining two social determinants (poverty gap and the proportion of women in parliament) and the environmental determinants (CO2emission and natural resource endowment) have a negative influence on SD in Nigeria during the period under study. Originality/value: First, this study integrates social inclusion into the poverty–SD nexus in the same study framework for a thorough analysis given that social inclusion has been identified as one of the leading variables affecting sustainability. Second, this study fills a gap in the literature by accounting for economic, social and environmental factors that influence SD, as opposed to the majority of existing studies that only employed environmental variables when examining the relationship between poverty and sustainability.

The need for increasing production of Moringa oleiferain Nigeria can be achieved through adequate fertilization. This study investigated the effects of sources and rates of NPK (15:15:15) and compost on soil properties and productivity of Moringa at National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria. NPK was applied at 30, 60, and 90 kg N/ ha, cow dung (CD), poultry manure (PM) and organomineral (OM) were applied at 10, 20 and 30 tons/ha. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Organic fertilizers were incorporated into the soil 2 weeks before sowing; NPK was split applied at 2 and 5 weeks after sowing. Seeds were sown at 75 cm × 75 cm spacing. Data were taken on plant height (cm), stem girth (cm), number of leaves, leaf biomass, stems weight and post-planting soil properties. Growth values for NPK and compost treatments were higher than the control. PM applied at 30 tons ha−1resulted in highest growth values: plant height (65.91 cm), stem girth (1.51 cm) and number of leaves (14.20). PM applied at 30 tons ha−1gave higher stem weight (2249.9 g) and leaf biomass (3610.5 g). Post-planting soil analysis indicated that nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, manganese, iron and zinc contents were higher in plots with organic and inorganic fertilizers except for potassium and magnesium. PM proved more superior to CD manure and others because it produced better growth attributes such as shoot height, stem girth and number of leaves and leaf biomass than its counterparts produced.

This study presents random load forecasts for the Nigerian 330 kV 38-bus transmission grid using a complex trend analysis technique. By considering randomness of monthly load peaks and normal distribution function, yearly load mean and confidence intervals were predicted for the transmission buses from an obtained 10-year historical load population. Also using the proposed algorithm of the mentioned technique, long-term random load forecasts for the transmission system were obtained. The obtained forecasts were compared with results from an earlier prediction model created for the same grid, which comprises a Monte Carlo technique that considers the location’s predominant control variables as population and GDP growth; the maximum obtainable error was 24%. The obtained results of forecasts and comparison are applicable for determining effective transmission system planning policy in Nigeria for the forecast period.

The stopped-flow technique has been used to study the reactions of [HCrO4−] and penicillamine, glutathione and β-mercaptoethylamine (RSH) in perchlorate media, [H+] = 0.02−0.100 M, I = 1.00 Mover the temperature range 10–30 °C. The transient orange species formed as intermediates are 1:1 chromate esters,with λmax ∼ 420–430 nm and K1 ∼ 700 (DL-penicillamine) to 1440 M−1(glutathione) at T = 25 °C. Thermodynamic parameters for complex formation have been derived from initial absorbance data and the evidence for sulphur bonding is discussed. Kinetics of the reactions conform to the rate lawActivation enthalpies lie in the range 6–10 kcal/mol but ΔS≠values vary considerably possibly reflecting solvation effects. The rate constants kfH+are several orders of magnitude lower than those found for this parameter in other reactions of this type. The complex formation mechanisms are discussed and the possibility of some associative character in the present reactions is considered.

Three moles of penicillamine or glutathione are required to reduce chromium(VI) to chromium(III). The kinetics and mechanism of the redox reaction have been studied using the stopped-flow method. The reaction proceeds via the formation of a transient intermediate (K1) which decomposes either in a proton-catalyzed pathway or by reaction with a second mole of thiol. The rate lawwhere n = 1 for penicillamine and 2 for glutathione has been shown to hold over a range of thiol and hydrogen-ion concentrations. At 25 °C k2 = 14.3 ± 1.0 M−1s−1for penicillamine (ΔH≠ = 9 ± 2 kcal mol−1, ΔS≠ = −33 ± 6 cal K−1mol−1) and 12.1 ± 0.4 M−1s−1for glutathione (ΔH≠ = 7 ± 2 kcal mol−1, ΔS≠ = −40 ± 5 cal K−1mol−1). Several chromium(III) products have been identified by ion-exchange methods. The significance of the second-order pathways in these reactions is discussed.

Summary The kinetics of the reduction of octacyanomolybdate(V) anion by thiourea and thioacetamide have been studied in aqueous HClO4 at constant ionic strengthI=0.10 mol dm-3 (NaClO4). The rate of oxidation of these substrates by the oxidant shows a first order dependence in both the oxidant and the substrates and while the thiourea system exhibits an inverse first-order dependence on [H+] that of thioacetamide is found to be first-order in [H+]. The variation observed in [H+] dependences in these reactions is attributed to the nature of the thiourea in the pH range used in this study and the inductive effect of the methyl group in thioacetamide. A mechanistic interpretation of these observations is advanced.

The stoichiometry and kinetics of the oxidation of hydroxylammonium ion by the 12-tungstocobaltate(III) anion has been studied in hydrochloric acid medium. The ratio of mols of oxidant consumed per mol of hydroxylammonium ion is 1:1 and the evolution of nitrogen is confirmed. In the 0.1–1.0 mol dm-3 [H+] region, the oxidation is acid-independent and obeys the empirical rate law: -d[oxidant]/dt=k[oxidant] [reductant] where k=(3.51±0.18)×10-4 mol-1dm3s-1 at 22.4±0.1‡C and I=2.0 mol dm-3 (NaCl). Possible reaction steps and mechanism are suggested.