Akwa Ibom State University

The Nigerian government introduced the Household Upliftment Program (HUP) which is a conditional cash transfer scheme to help households improve consumption levels, reduce poverty and therefore prevent vulnerable households from becoming poorer. This paper investigated the impact of Condition Cash Transfer of HUP on household food security in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The objectives were to assess the impact of CCT on protecting the beneficiary’s basic level of food consumption from becoming food insecure and also determine if CCT of HUP facilitate the beneficiary to invest in human and other productive assets. The paper utilized descriptive statistics, food security index, Likert scale and propensity score technique to analyse the research objectives. The findings showed that on average, benefitting and non-benefitting households spent about N31,917.78 ($76.46) and N34,898.67 ($83.60) respectively on food per month. Food insecurity was higher among benefiting households compared to non-benefiting households. The Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATET) estimator value was −0.2610. The negative value suggests that, on average, benefiting households spend 26.10% less on food consumption than non-benefitting households. The results imply that the current cash transfer program may not be effectively addressing food insecurity among beneficiaries. However, the CCT program facilitated the beneficiaries’ ability to invest in human and productive assets, enhanced their financial and social inclusion, opened doors to financial services previously inaccessible to many and fostered a sense of community among them. The paper concludes that while conditional cash transfer programs have the potential to positively impact beneficiaries, the government must reassess and potentially adjust the program to better address the current inflationary pressures and ensure its positive impact on the food security of the beneficiaries.

Groundwater supplies potable water, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions of the Earth. It is an essential component of the ecological and geological environment, directly influencing human life. While a certain concentration of heavy metals in groundwaters is essential for human metabolism, the excessive consumption of these metals might pose a risk to human health if their concentration is beyond a specific threshold. Exposure to high concentrations of heavy metals can lead to severe neurological disorders and potentially death, following their ability to cause a range of harmful health implications that have attracted global attention. Heavy metal contamination of groundwater frequently evades detection and remains concealed from the public. However, this issue has received significant international attention in recent years, as alarming reports from multiple agencies have highlighted the widespread distribution of heavy metals in groundwater. Considering the increasing significance of examining the potential health risks linked to heavy metals, this chapter reviews groundwater pollution, including sources, associated health risk implications and assessment. Strategic planning and comprehensive management practices are recommended to effectively address the human-health implications of heavy metals in groundwater.

Microorganisms are the primary drivers of elemental cycles, including those involved in biogeochemical transformations of antimony (Sb) ores within contaminated mining areas. It has been reported that microorganisms can accelerate the oxidation of Sb(III) to Sb(V) compounds in mining areas. However, limited research on microbial diversity in most mining areas hampers our understanding of their potential roles in the biogeochemical cycling of Sb. This study investigated the link between the element content and the microorganism species, as well as the dispersion of the microbial community structure in Sb-contaminated areas. The results showed that the S-oxidizing bacteria presence correlated with the Sb and S distribution, and could oxidize Fe and Mn. Combined with the analysis of environmental composition, it was found that the content of Fe/Mn oxides was proportional to As and Sb oxides. The study reveals that S-oxidizing bacteria could accelerate the oxidation of Sb and As by coupling the oxidation effect of Fe/Mn in Sb-contaminated areas, thus exacerbating the As and Sb pollution. The results from the soil, sediment, and water samples show that S/Sb/As oxidizing bacteria were proportional to the content of Sb/As oxides. These results have a reference value for revealing the new insights on geochemical characteristics of elemental distributions and diversity of microbial communities and have important theoretical guidance for developing Sb pollution control and remediation technology.

We present an advanced quantum computational framework using Gaussian spherical quantum dots (GSQDs) embedded in GaAs, integrating both theoretical and AI-driven computational methodologies. By employing Nikiforov–Uvarov Functional Analysis (NUFA) alongside machine learning-assisted modeling, we derived eigenvalues and wave functions for the GSQD system. Our study further explored the energy spectra and Rényi entanglement entropy for various quantum states, revealing a highly ordered and stable system characterized by consistently low entropy values and minimal thermal excitation of higher states. This intrinsic stability highlights the viability of GaAs and Kagome lattice materials for robust quantum computing applications. Additionally, we analyzed the quantum properties of donor impurity states within GSQDs, recalculating eigen energies in effective atomic units using donor effective Rydberg (${R}_{\text{D}}$) and donor effective Bohr radius ${a}_{\text{D}}$. A comparative evaluation across multiple computational approaches provided a unified assessment of energy predictions and entropy calculations, reinforcing the computational accuracy and consistency of our methodology. By synthesizing results from diverse theoretical and numerical techniques, we established a robust framework for optimizing GSQD-based architectures in quantum information processing. Our findings demonstrate the efficiency of AI-driven computational techniques and NUFA in solving the Class Yukawa and Hellmann Perturbations relevant to quantum computing. Furthermore, we emphasize the significance of Rényi entropy as a key metric for analyzing quantum coherence, entanglement, and uncertainty in low-dimensional semiconductor structures. These insights contribute to the design and optimization of next-generation quantum dot architectures, reinforcing their potential for scalable quantum information technologies.

A 2-month study investigated the effects of dietary betaine on growth, physiological response, and immune-related genes in Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis). A total of 160 crabs, averaging 43.35 ± 0.05 g, were randomly assigned to 16 cement pools, with four pools per treatment and ten crabs per pool. Experimental diets included a control (no betaine) and betaine supplements at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g/kg, respectively. From the results, crabs fed 1 g/kg betaine had higher final weight (FW), specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI), and meat yield (MY), with lower FCR than the control. No significant differences were observed with the 1.5 g/kg supplement. Dietary treatment did not affect Alanine aminotransferase enzyme (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), or non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). However, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were significantly reduced in crabs fed betaine, with the lowest levels in those fed 1 and 1.5 g/kg in hemolymph and hepatopancreas. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) activities in the hepatopancreas were significantly higher than in the control, with opposite trends in malondialdehyde (MDA) content, but no differences were observed in crabs fed 1 g/kg. Crabs fed 1 and 1.5 g/kg betaine had higher lysosomes in the hepatopancreas than the control. Similar results were observed in hemolymph. alf1 was upregulated with increasing betaine, peaking in crabs fed 1.5 g/kg, but showed no difference at 1 g/kg. alf2 increased with betaine, then decreased at higher levels, with no significant difference between the 0.5 g/kg and the control. Lastly, alf3 and crus1 were significantly upregulated in crabs fed betaine compared to the control. This study suggests that dietary betaine supplementation at the level of 1 g/kg is the most effective.

Environmental degradation significantly challenges sustainable development in emerging economies. This study examines the contributions of green finance (GFI), technological innovation (TEI), and globalization (GLOB) on environmental management (ENQ) in MINT countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey) from 1990 to 2023. Using Cross-Sectionally Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) and Non-linear ARDL models, this study assesses both symmetric and asymmetric effects ENQ, testing the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis and integrating the STIRPAT framework for a comprehensive analysis. Results reveal that the GFI increases CO2 (0.147) and N2O (0.162) emissions, implying that GFI investments are insufficiently targeted towards clean projects. Conversely, TEI significantly reduced emissions (CO2: − 0.231, N2O: − 0.214), highlighting its potential to enhance ENQ. GLOB shows a dual effect; increasing emissions in the long run (CO2:0.169, N2O: 0.183), while its interaction with TEI reduces emissions, supporting the hypothesis that TEI diffusion through GLOB improves ENQ. The study confirms both U-shaped and N-shaped EKC patterns, indicating a complex non-linear nexus between income growth and ENQ. The study recommends robust regulatory frameworks and strategic GFI allocation towards cleaner technologies to achieve environmental benefits. By integrating the GFI, TEI, and GLOB within the EKC and STIRPAT frameworks, this study contributes to the literature by providing nuanced insights into the environmental dynamics of emerging economies and policy recommendations to balance economic growth with ENQ in MINT countries.

The research provides a comprehensive theoretical assessment of the anticorrosion behavior of newly synthesized triazole derivatives on a Cu‐Ni (70‐30) alloy in an acidic medium using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques. DFT calculations indicated a decrease in E HOMO values, particularly T 3 (−5.778) > T (−5.728) > T 1 (−5.586) > T 2 (−5.513), as well as an energy gap between which ranges from 2.183–3.273 eV, suggesting notable capacity for electron transfer and acceptance. The A log P values where between 1.477 and 4.007 which highlights the inhibitors' hydrophobic nature, and their abilities to disperse water and corrodents from alloy surface. Electrostatic potential and Mulliken population analyses revealed adsorption sites and the extent to which various atoms participate in electrophilic and nucleophilic interactions with the alloy, facilitating the adsorption of these inhibitors. Adsorption energy computation from MD simulations gave a decreasing ( E ads ) as follows: T 1 (−244.97 kJ/mol) > T (−174.93 kJ/mol) > T 3 (−147.95 kJ/mol) > T 2 (−140.58 kJ/mol), indicating spontaneity of the adsorption process. The flat orientation of the inhibitor molecules and the radial distribution function (RDF) results imply robust molecular interactions leading to chemosorption, which is further confirmed by bond lengths, which were predominantly < Å. The study explains the possible adsorption processes and interactions between the Cu–Ni alloy and some triazole molecules.

Indoor radon exposure is a significant public health concern, as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer globally. This systematic review evaluated radon concentrations and associated health risks in Nigerian buildings, including homes, schools, and workplaces, through various monitoring techniques such as CR-39 detectors and RAD-7 monitors. A total of 47 eligible studies were included following PRISMA guidelines that covered the spatial variations of radon exposure across Nigeria, revealed a weighted mean radon concentration of 104 Bq/m³, exceeding the WHO reference level of 100 Bq/m³ but below the USEPA action level of 148 Bq/m³. Extreme hotspots, such as Odo-Ona, Ibadan, recorded 531.85 Bq/m³, corresponding to an annual effective dose of 13.42 mSv/yr, an excess lifetime cancer risk of 51.66 × 10⁻³, and an estimated lung cancer burden of 242 cases/year per million people. Other regions, including Sokoto Metropolis and Oke-Ogun, also exceeded safety limits, while coastal areas like Lagos showed the lowest concentrations (7.52 Bq/m³). Geographic disparities were evident, with southwestern Nigeria showing the highest risk and accounting for 63% of studies, while northern and southeastern regions remain underrepresented. Comparative analysis revealed that Nigerian hotspots surpass radon levels reported in several radon-prone countries, including Bulgaria and Northwest Spain, highlighting a significant health risk. This review produced Nigeria’s first indoor radon exposure map in residential and occupational settings nationwide that clearly identified critical hotspots and emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions. Awareness of the presence of radon and its potential health effects is very low in Nigeria. Radon mitigation should integrate geological assessments with radon-resistant construction materials, proper ventilation, and sealed entry points, especially in uranium-rich and permeable soils. Public awareness, routine monitoring, and regulatory policies are essential, with future research focusing on underrepresented regions and long-term exposure trends.

Photoluminescence-based biosensors, such as Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) and chemiluminescence assays, have revolutionized biosensing and diagnostics. Their unique mechanisms, coupled with advancements in fluorescent materials and detection technologies, continue to expand their applications, offering unparalleled precision and sensitivity in detecting biological and chemical targets. This chapter provides comprehensive details on photoluminescence for biosensing and diagnostics, biosensors utilizing photoluminescent emitters, and the in vitro and in vivo diagnostic applications for disease biomarker detection and imaging of cellular processes.

Background/Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of frozen (−18 °C) and refrigerated (4 °C) storage conditions on several beef bottom round quality parameters. Methods: Fresh beef bottom round samples were stored under both frozen (−18 °C) and refrigerated (4 °C) conditions. For frozen samples, the pH, color, cooking loss, thawing loss, centrifugal loss, drip loss, moisture content, shear force, TBARS and TPA were measured at 0, 30 and 60 days. For refrigerated samples, the pH and color were analyzed at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 days, and the differential metabolites were also identified based on the VOCs analysis combined with multivariate statistical analysis. Results: The surface color (L*, a*, and b*) of the beef bottom round became darker during both the frozen and refrigerated periods of prolonged storage. The samples’ pH significantly declined (p < 0.05) during the frozen storage but alternated (initially reduced and then increased) under refrigerated conditions. Additionally, the frozen treatment led to a significant change (p < 0.05) in the texture profile. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBAR) values, shear force, cooking loss, thawing loss, centrifugal loss, and drip loss increased significantly with an extended frozen storage time, while the moisture content was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Moreover, nine volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified as potential determinants of beef bottom quality during refrigerated storage. Conclusions: The findings can contribute to a deeper understanding of quality variations during frozen storage and refrigerated storage, and provide new thoughts to improve preservation and storage strategies for the beef bottom round.

The inherent heterogeneity of aquifer systems poses substantial difficulties in delineating Hydraulic Flow Units (HFUs) and evaluating groundwater flow efficiency. This study presents an innovative approach for delineating Hydraulic Flow Units within a heterogeneous aquifer system by integrating petrophysical modeling techniques with electrostratigraphic information. A key novelty is the application of an optimized hydraulic flow unit classification framework that leverages Flow Zone Indicator and Aquifer Quality Index computations to resolve complex spatial variations in aquifer permeability. To achieve a comprehensive geophysical assessment, geoelectrical surveys were conducted at 20 sites utilizing the SAS 1000 ABEM resistivity meter. This methodological approach was adopted to facilitate high-resolution subsurface characterization. Geoelectrostratigraphic results revealed the presence of three subterranean layers interbedded with minor clay sequences. The uppermost layer (loamy topsoil) had resistivity values in the range of 0.4–52.8 Ωm, while the layer thickness ranged from 0.5 to 4.0 m. Directly underlying this was fine sand, characterized by resistivity values spanning 1.1–26.0 Ωm, with thickness ranging from 1.4 to 45.0 m. The third layer (gravelly sand) had resistivity values in the range of 3.5–1822.5 Ωm. Aquifer hydraulic conductivity ranged from 6.81 × 10–6 to 6.47 × 10–4 m/s, permeability ranged from 965.9137 to 91,753.53 mD, tortuosity ranged from 0.570 to 1.027, Aquifer Quality Index values ranged from 1.85 to 6.13, and Flow Zone Indicator values ranged from − 3.58 to 4.86. The Stratigraphic Modified Lorenz Plot identified three hydrostratigraphic flow units, each exhibiting unique flow behaviors. The first flow unit was classified as a superconductor; the second and third flow units were classified as conductors with fair flow efficiency ranking. The study also highlighted the pronounced heterogeneity of the aquifer system, evidenced by a Dykstra-Parsons coefficient of 1. This heterogeneity, resulting from the interbedding of variable sand grain sizes within the saturated layers, directly impacts groundwater recharge, contamination transport, and water resource management strategies. The results of this research offer important insights for optimizing borehole placement, improving groundwater extraction strategies, and mitigating potential aquifer depletion. These results also enhance permeability prediction in highly heterogeneous coastal aquifers and provide a systematic methodology applicable to diverse water reservoir systems.

This study investigates the thermal performance of solar greenhouses in the Northern Hemisphere, with the research purpose of providing process parameters to optimize passive solar greenhouse design for improved performance, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced environmental benefits. The novelty of the research lies in its investigation of the impact of wall configuration and orientation on thermal performance and drying kinetics of solar greenhouse dryers for drying Nsukka yellow pepper, providing new insights for optimizing drying conditions and designing efficient solar dryers. A modified solar greenhouse dryer with three different wall configurations (totally transparent, insulated northern wall, and insulated eastern wall) was tested under the same ambient conditions. The results show that the north insulated wall configuration improved thermal performance by 2.4–31.6% and reduced heat loss factor by 10.3%. The three solar greenhouse dryers produced a lifetime CO2 mitigation potential ranging from 7.866 to 7.918 tonnes, with a drying time of 8 to 12 h per batch. Comparative analysis revealed significant variations in energy payback time (0.8581–0.8632 years) and embodied energy (626.67-627.77 kWh) across configurations. Thin layer models were used to predict the drying curve of yellow pepper for the three solar greenhouse dryer configurations. The Mathematical modelling revealed that the Modified Midili et al. model best fit the transparent and north wall configurations (R² = 0.9786 and 0.9700, respectively), while the Modified Henderson and Pabis model best fit the insulated eastern wall configuration (R² = 0.9526). The study demonstrates the importance of optimizing wall configuration and orientation for improved thermal performance, reduced energy consumption, and enhanced CO2 mitigation potential in solar greenhouses.

Assessing the mechanical properties of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) concrete is essential for improving its strength and durability while ensuring its viability as a sustainable building material. This study focuses on optimizing SCBA concrete by partially replacing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), thereby minimizing carbon emissions and maximizing resource efficiency in construction. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD), the effects of varying mix proportions on compressive and flexural strength were evaluated. Experimental findings demonstrate that SCBA significantly improves concrete performance at an optimal dosage, with 2.22% SCBA, 13.33% OPC, 37.78% fine aggregates, and 46.67% coarse aggregates yielding the highest compressive strength of 29.34 MPa. Similarly, a mix of 2.04% SCBA, 20.41% OPC, 34.69% fine aggregates, and 42.86% coarse aggregates produced the maximum flexural strength of 7.98 MPa. However, an excessive SCBA content decreased compressive strength to 18.75 MPa and flexural strength to 3.15 MPa, highlighting the negative impact of higher ash content. The developed quadratic model, validated through analysis of variance (ANOVA), achieved high predictive accuracy (R² = 0.9202 for compressive strength and R² = 0.9212 for flexural strength), confirming its reliability. The optimized response surface factor levels ratio of 0.25:0.039:0.425:0.525 for cement, SCBA, fine and coarse aggregates respectively was generated using desirability function, which led to maximized compressive strength of 28.582 MPa and flexural strength of 7.912 MPa. Additionally, a Student’s t-test (p-value = 1.0) verified no statistically significant difference between experimental and predicted values, ensuring model dependability. These findings offer a practical framework for optimizing SCBA-blended concrete, balancing strength and sustainability, and supporting its wider application in eco-friendly construction.

Objectives The main objective of this study was to determine the perspective of the pharmacy staff on patient safety culture and to identify areas of strength and weakness in safety culture. Materials and Methods The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted among pharmacy staff who were directly involved with the provision of pharmaceutical services to patients in a tertiary healthcare facility in South-West, Nigeria. Data were collected using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Questionnaire. A purposive sampling technique was used to randomly administer the questionnaire to 82 pharmacy personnel who had direct professional interactions with patients. Analysis of data was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25. Results More than 80% of respondents were professionals (pharmacists/Internees) who were directly involved in providing pharmaceutical services in the department; 50% of respondents had worked in the pharmacy department from 1 year to <12 years and 56.1% worked more than 40 h per week. Overall, positive responses were satisfactory for teamwork (66.7%), overall perception of patient safety (61.0%), patient counseling (81%), and organizational learning (56.1%) but poor for staffing, work pressure and pace (26.8%), and communication about prescription across shifts (40.7%). Patient safety in this pharmacy received an overall rating of 62.2%. Conclusion There is a need for urgent attention of the management of the hospital to be drawn toward the need for re-evaluation of current safety culture composites and amend systems where necessary to reduce risks and improve pharmacy patient safety.

Background Chemotherapy is considered the best approach in the management of malaria pathogenesis symptomized with hyperparasitemia and oxidative stress because of free radicals’ production; however, a crucial step in the production of DNA is the reversible phosphorylation of dTMP to dTDP, which is catalyzed by Plasmodium falciparum thymidylate kinase. Ethnopharmacologically and scientifically, Mangifera indica is used in the treatment of malaria, thereby necessitating antiplasmodial and antioxidant screening of the plant extract, as well as its in silico profiling to unravel the pharmacological and docking potentials of its bioactive compounds against thymidylate kinase. Methods The collection of the Mangifera indica stem bark, extract preparation, in vivo antiplasmodial assay, in vitro antioxidant assay, retrieval of Plasmodium falciparum thymidylate kinase, and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) were done using standard protocols. The SwissADME tool was used in the prediction of the physicochemical, drug-likeness, and pharmacokinetic properties, whereas molecular docking analysis was done with the MCULE tool. Results The GC-MS profiling revealed mangiferin, d-idopyranoside, lauric acid, fatty acid, isoprene derivatives, etc; these compounds contributed immensely to the plant's antioxidant and antiplasmodial (87.71%) potentials. Also, the compounds (55.7%) successfully docked the active sites of thymidylate kinase; 72.1% and 57.4% revealed high rates of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) absorption and distribution in the interstitial tissues, respectively, whereas 98.4% were not substrates of permeation glycoprotein. However, the % non-inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 were 45.9, 98.4, 67.2, 95.1, and 98.4, respectively, while drug-likeness revealed 100% Lipinski's compliance. Conclusion The observed antiplasmodial, antioxidant, and pharmacological properties could be due to the presence of the glucosyl xanthone, idopyranoside, fatty acid, and isoprene derivatives.

Retraction of ‘Heteroatoms (Si, B, N, and P) doped 2D monolayer MoS2 for NH3 gas detection’ by Terkumbur E. Gber et al., RSC Adv., 2022, 12, 25992–26010, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA04028J.

Retraction of ‘Computational design and molecular modeling of the interaction of nicotinic acid hydrazide nickel-based complexes with H2S gas’ by Hitler Louis et al., RSC Adv., 2022, 12, 30365–30380, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA05456F.

Background: Fingerprinting Chinese red prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum or Dahongpao) samples helped establish baseline qualities and components. These data will provide valuable insights into determining the extent to which cultivation practices and locations may affect a plant’s output, providing insight into maximizing its agricultural potential and ensuring consistent quality. Methods: In this paper, we evaluated prickly ash samples from eight regions, all in the Shandong, Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces, using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technologies. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the volatile components from prickly ash extract and powder samples, and they were compared with the NIST database. Results: Data from sample analysis yielded 91 volatile flavour components. Lastly, 14 compounds were identified as fingerprints with harvest site bias based on the GC-MS data, principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models. Conclusion: Data from this comprehensive analysis contributes to the growing body of knowledge regarding the quality of prickly ash samples. Our findings underscore the critical role that cultivation practices play in the quality of plants—which could influence both traditional medical and modern culinary art usages.

In this paper, we employ the system GMM dynamic panel estimation approach on a sample of 86 countries evenly distributed across both EMEs and LICs and obtain robust evidence that institutions play a crucial role in unlocking the growth impact of external debt. Without quality institutions, our results indicate that external debt accumulation would hurt economic growth. However, we found that the ability to effectively control corruption, especially in LICs, as well as the ability to promote political stability by effectively combating the incidence of terrorism and other related violence, are crucial in enhancing the positive impact of external debt on economic growth. The study also reveals that external debt, mainly when regulatory quality is robust, can have negative long-term growth implications. The paper recommends effective fighting of corruption and terrorism in the EMEs and LICs and the need to foster synergy across the countries in combating rising terrorism and other violent crimes. Furthermore, the study advocates for the promotion of private sector development to spur domestic resource mobilisation, as this would bridge the financing gap and reduce the appetite for external debt and its associated long-term vulnerabilities. JEL Classification : F34, N20, O43