Saccharification and co-fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass by a cockroach-gut bacterial symbiont and yeast cocktail for bioethanol production.

Background: The eco-friendly transformation of agro-industrial wastes through microbial bioconversion could address sustainability challenges in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The bulk of agro-industrial waste consists of lignocellulosic materials with fermentable sugars, predominantly cellulose and hemicellulose. A number of pretreatment options have been employed for material saccharification toward successful fermentation into second-generation bioethanol.

Investigating the antibacterial potential of thiophene derivatives against wound infections: a combined DFT, molecular docking, and ADMET study targeting and resistant genes.

Wound infection poses a significant global health threat, as it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among surgical patients and individuals with burn injuries, resulting in substantial healthcare burdens and devastating outcomes worldwide. , , and have frequently been implicated as major pathogens causing wound infections. This has eventually and consistently given rise to antimicrobial resistance divulging a need to mitigate infectious outbreaks.

Mechanical properties optimization and cost analysis of agricultural waste as an alternative in brick production.

In recent years, building materials made from agricultural waste have become popular due to their lower cost and environmental impact. The Bio-Brick is mixed with Cement-Fly Ash and Hydrated Lime and a fine aggregate of groundnut shell in percentages (20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%). The optimum mix proportions of Bio-Brick and hydrated lime mortar were found from the compressive strength and were further continued to study the dry density, water absorption, and efflorescence.

Dopaminergic Perturbation in the Aetiology of Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Brain development may be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, with potential consequences that may last through the lifespan. Alterations during neurogenesis are linked to neurodevelopmental cognitive disorders. Many neurotransmitters and their systems play a vital role in brain development, as most are present prior to synaptogenesis, and they are involved in the aetiology of many neurodevelopmental disorders.

Curcumin abrogates cobalt-induced neuroinflammation by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines release, inhibiting microgliosis and modulation of ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.

Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol derived from turmeric, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. The current study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin in the hippocampal subfields (CA1 and CA3) after exposure to cobalt (Co) and the impact of ERK protein. Twenty-eight albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups, each with seven randomly selected rats as follows: Control (distilled water), Cobalt (Co) only (40 mg/kg), 120 mg/kg or 240 mg/kg curcumin + Co (40 mg/kg).

Effects of aggregate sizes on the performance of laterized concrete.

Due to the high costs of traditional concrete materials in Nigeria, such as river sand, there is an increasing demand to explore alternative materials like laterite for fine aggregates. Although laterite is abundant in Nigeria, its full potential in the construction industry remains untapped. Previous studies have shown that partially replacing river sand with laterite produces concrete with competitive strength properties.

Experimental investigation and modelling of the mechanical properties of palm oil fuel ash concrete using Scheffe's method.

This study explores the enhancement of mechanical properties in concrete blended with palm oil fuel ash (POFA) through Scheffe's optimization. The utilization of POFA as supplementary cementitious material in concrete has gained attention for its potential environmental benefits. Utilizing a (5,2) simplex-lattice design, a systematic approach is employed for optimizing mixture proportions based on response parameters.

Effects of elevated temperatures on the mechanical properties of laterized concrete.

This study explored the impact of elevated temperatures on the residual structural properties of concrete made with a non-conventional fine aggregate such as laterite and quarry dust. In regions prone to high temperatures, such as tropical climates, the structural integrity of concrete can be compromised when exposed to elevated temperatures. Concrete samples were subjected to high temperatures (250 °C) and compared with control samples tested under normal conditions.

Soft computing techniques for predicting the properties of raw rice husk concrete bricks using regression-based machine learning approaches.

In this study, the replacement of raw rice husk, fly ash, and hydrated lime for fine aggregate and cement was evaluated in making raw rice husk-concrete brick. This study optimizes compressive strength, water absorption, and dry density of concrete brick containing recycled aggregates via Response Surface Methodology. The optimized model's accuracy is validated through Artificial Neural Network and Multiple Linear Regression.

Synthesis, characterization, and molecular modeling of phenylenediamine-phenylhydrazine-formaldehyde terpolymer (PPHF) as potent anti-inflammatory agent.

Inflammation, a characteristic physiological response to infections and tissue damage, commences with processes involving tissue repair and pathogen elimination, contributing to the restoration of homeostasis at affected sites. Hence, this study presents a comprehensive analysis addressing diverse aspects associated with this phenomenon. The investigation encompasses the synthesis, spectral characterizations (FT-IR, H NMR, and C NMR), and molecular modeling of p-phenylenediamine-phenylhydrazine-formaldehyde terpolymer (PPHF), a potent agent in promoting inflammation.

Role of extreme vertex design approach on the mechanical and morphological behaviour of residual soil composite.

This research work reports the usability of binary additive materials known as tile waste dust (TWD) and calcined kaolin (CK) in ameliorating the mechanical response of weak soil. The extreme vertex design (EVD) was adopted for the mixture experimental design and modelling of the mechanical properties of the soil-TWD-CK blend. In the course of this study, a total of fifteen (15) design mixture ingredients' ratios for water, TWD, CK and soil were formulated.

Scheffe's Simplex Optimization of Flexural Strength of Quarry Dust and Sawdust Ash Pervious Concrete for Sustainable Pavement Construction.

Pervious concrete provides a tailored surface course with high permeability properties which permit the easy flow of water through a larger interconnected porous structure to prevent flooding hazards. This paper reports the modeling of the flexural properties of quarry dust (QD) and sawdust ash (SDA) blended green pervious concrete for sustainable road pavement construction using Scheffe's (5,2) optimization approach. The simplex mixture design method was adapted to formulate the mixture proportion to eliminate the set-backs encountered in empirical or trials and the error design approach, which consume more time and resources to design with experimental runs required to evaluate the response function.

Interlinking alcohol intake, mental stress, psychotic experiences and job performance of higher institutions' graduates: A structural equation modelling.

Background: Graduates' job performance has become a matter that needs urgent attention. This is because many stakeholders are increasingly becoming interested in understanding the extent schools are able to produce output that meets the yearnings of society. Along these lines, we examined the contributions of alcohol intake to the job performance of higher education graduates while treating mental stress and psychotic experiences as mediators in the nexus.

The biology of SARS-CoV-2 and epidemiological analysis of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

The pandemic triggered by SARS-CoV-2 continuous to pose a global health threat, with cases of new infections and deaths still occurring despite increasing vaccination efforts. As in other regions of the world, the pandemic has led to unprecedented stretch of health and economic systems in countries in Africa. Nigeria, the most populous African country, has not been spared as the number of new infections continues to teeter amid a high level of vaccination hesitancy.

Developments in the malting and brewing trials with sorghum.

A comparative study of sorghum and barley grains reveals structural and physiological differences in their aleurone, embryo and starchy endosperm cells. These differences are responsible for the observed differences in their malting characteristics. Reports on brewing trials with sorghum favour its use as an adjunct to barley malt.

Comparative studies of the development of endosperm-degrading enzymes in malting sorghum and barley.

The endosperm cell walls of barley are degraded extensively during malting whilst those of sorghum are not. Malting barley produced endo-β-1,3:1,4-glucanase, endo-β-1,3-glucanase and pentosanase in large quantities. In contrast, malting sorghum developed mainly endo-β-1,3-glucanase and pentosanase.

Analysis of the egg production pattern in a tropical wet climate: influences of the phase of production and the estimated period of oviposition.

The egg production data of a commercial strain of 400 Shaver laying hens were used to study the changes in the percentage/hen/day production from 1 to 48 weeks in lay, applying both simple linear and logarithmic models, which corresponded best to the real conditions. The maximum rate of egg production occurred in the first 12 weeks of lay, followed by a gradual decrease, which became significantly pronounced in the 25 to 48 week production phase. As the hens advanced in age, significant changes were observed in the trend and period of oviposition indicative of an increasingly delayed laying period.

Aspects of linear growth of muscles in the indigenous Nigerian pig.

The development of the length of 2 spinal column, 7 hind limb, and 4 fore limb muscles of one body half were investigated in 64 female, male, and castrated male indigenous Nigerian pigs each from birth to 627 days of age. While the muscle lengths increased significantly (P less than 0.001) with age, non-significant sex influences (P greater than 0.

Effects of sex, age, and body weight on the growth of selected organs and body parts of indigenous Nigerian pigs.

The absolute and relative growth of the head, spleen, kidney fat, stomach, and intestine were studied for 64 intact male, castrated male, and female indigenous Nigerian pigs each. Highly significant (P less than 0.001) sex, age, and sex X age interactions were obtained for the absolute and relative weights of some of the organs and body parts.

Estimating the mature body weight of indigenous Nigerian pigs using body weight and tissue composition changes with age.

The body weight changes with age were studied for 64 female, male, and castrated male indigenous Nigerian pigs each between birth and 672 days. The results showed non-significant (P greater than 0.05) sex differences and highly significant (P less than 0.

Drug-taking among Nigerian students at universities in the United States of America.

A sample survey of Nigerian students conducted by means of a self-administered drug use questionnaire at three universities in the United States of America showed that at some time in their lives 91.2 per cent of the respondents had used alcoholic beverages, 62.3 per cent tobacco, 30.