Landmark University

This study involved the hydrothermal synthesis of vertically oriented TiO 2 nanorods on FTO substrate. We examined the impact of reaction duration on morphological, optical, structural and photoelectrochemical properties. The formation of TiO 2 nanorods was confirmed by the FESEM and AFM results. The formation of TiO 2 tetragonal crystal structure with the rutile phase was shown by XRD spectra. The average absorbance of the samples falls as the reaction duration increases, according to UV-vis spectroscopy analysis. According to PEC experiments, each sample demonstrated a strong photocurrent density and good light response in various lighting situations. The highest possible photocurrent density of 91.8 μA/cm 2 at 1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl was recorded from TiO 2 film with the reaction duration of 5 h (T@5 h). The quick separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers was demonstrated, and this result was confirmed by EIS data.

This study examines the nutritional composition, phytochemical profiling, and antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory potential of a methanolic extract of Spilanthes filicaulis leaves (MESFL) via in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico studies. In vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities were examined. In the ex vivo study, liver tissues were subjected to FeSO 4-induced oxidative damage and treated with varying concentrations of MESFL. MESFL contains a reasonable amount of nitrogen-free extract, moisture, ash content, crude protein, and fat, with a lesser amount of crude fiber. According to GC-MS analysis, MESFL contains ten compounds, the most abundant of which are 13-octadecenal and Ar-tumerone. In this study, MESFL demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities via membrane stabilizing properties, proteinase inhibition, and inhibition of protein denaturation (IC 50 ¼ 72.75 ± 11.06 mg/mL). MESFL also strongly inhibited both a-amylase (IC 50 ¼ 307.02 ± 4.25 mg/mL) and a-glucosidase (IC 50 ¼ 215.51 ± 0.47 mg/mL) activities. Our findings also showed that FeSO 4-induced tissue damage decreased the levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT activities while increasing the levels of MDA. In contrast, treatment with MESFL helped to restore these parameters to near-normal levels, which signifies that MESFL has great potential to address complications from oxidative stress. Furthermore, the in silico interaction of the GCMS-identified phytochemicals with the active sites of a-amylase and a-glucosidase via molecular and ensembled-based docking displayed strong binding affinities of Ar-tumerone and 4-hydroxy-3-methylacetophenone to a-amylase and a-glucosidase, respectively. Taken together, the biological activities of MESFL might be a result of the effects of these secondary metabolites. ARTICLE HISTORY

Aquaculture, the cultivation of aquatic organisms for human consumption, has become an essential contributor to global food security. However, it faces numerous challenges that threaten its sustainability and capacity to meet the growing demand for animal protein. This review investigates these challenges, with a particular focus on environmental degradation, public health risks, and ethical dilemmas posed by genetic interventions in fish breeding. Despite the promise of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in enhancing fish production, their integration into aquaculture remains controversial due to potential risks and unresolved ethical questions. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these pressing issues and propose pathways for sustainable aquaculture development. With the global population increasing and the demand for animal protein intensifying, aquaculture holds great potential as a sustainable food source. However, its contribution to global protein demand remains minimal, projected to decline to as low as 4% in the coming decades. Furthermore, aquaculture’s environmental impact, including pollution of water bodies and ecosystem disruption, poses serious threats to biodiversity and public health. Addressing these challenges is critical for ensuring the long-term viability of aquaculture. By exploring the intersection of sustainability, ethics, and innovation, this review provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers seeking to advance sustainable aquaculture practices. This study aims to evaluate the current state of aquaculture and identify key challenges related to environmental sustainability, public health, and ethical considerations. It seeks to explore the potential of sustainable practices and genetic interventions to address these challenges while balancing the need for increased production and societal acceptance. The ultimate goal is to offer practical recommendations for fostering a resilient and ethical aquaculture industry capable of meeting future global food demands. Keywords: antibiotic resistance, aquaculture effluent, eutrophication, food safety, genetic engineering.

In this study, we present a specific type of analytic functions called $\mathfrak{B}_{\gamma}(q)$, characterized by the Babalola q-convolution operator. We examine the characteristics of this category and set the limits for the initial four coefficients. In addition, we establish the limits for the Toeplitz determinants of second and third order for the functions within this category. Our discoveries offer fresh perspectives on the behavior of these functions and aid in comprehending their structural characteristics.

It is commonly agreed that a country cannot be fully developed without large-scale investment in her educational scheme since the breakthrough of a country is directly proportional to her educational level. Since the acquisition of effective reading skills has a positive effect on all school subjects, then reading is sine-qua-non for human capital and global development. Yet, it has been observed that many Nigerians today have a poor reading habit. Thus, this paper focuses on this poor reading habit among our people today and its causes. The paper is rounded off with suggestions as to what concerned stakeholders can do to develop and re-invent the reading culture in Nigeria.

Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) synthesis using biologically sourced agents has recently gained interest from researchers due to its environmentally friendly, cost-effective and non-toxic nature. This study evaluated the antibacterial potential of AgNPs biosynthesized using crude keratinase produced by Aspergillus recovered from dumpsite. Aspergillus species were cultured in a minimal medium containing feather (1%) and yeast extract (0.2%) for the bioproduction of keratinase. Silver nitrate (1 mM) was bio-reduced using keratinase and characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial potentials of the AgNPs were investigated on multidrug resistant-clinical pathogens (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersinia enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia liquefaciens, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella oxytoca) using disk diffusion method. Three fungal isolates A. niger (F1), A. oryzae (F2) and A. aculeatus (F3) were recovered with A. niger (F1) and A. aculeatus (F3) showing high keratinase activities of 48.52 U/ml and 46.04 U/ml, respectively. Absorbance peaks of 289 nm and 295 nm were observed for A. niger (AgNPs-F1) and A. aculeatus (AgNPs-F3), respectively. The spectral peaks from the FTIR revealed the presence of O–H stretch of amide (3616.59 and 3474.41) in biosynthesized AgNPs. Particle sizes ranging from 3.04 to 12.39 nm and 15.47 to 32.83 nm were observed for AgNPs-F1 and AgNPs-F3, respectively. AgNPs-F1 and AgNPs-F3 showed antibacterial against 80% and 70% of test isolates with Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella oxytoca as the most susceptible pathogens.

Extraction of organic and bioactive compounds from plant materials with the traditional organic solvents aided by water or oil bath heating is not sustainable, because it consumes a lot of energy, time, water/oil, solvents, and results in lower yield. This review discusses deep eutectic solvent (DES) as a green solvent, physical field technology (PFT) as a water‐saving and green technology, and how the coupling of PFT (ultrasound [US], microwave [MW], infrared [IR]) to DES will improve the yield and quality of protein, polysaccharides, polyphenols, pectin, and terpenoids extracted from plant materials. Ultrasonication increases DES extraction efficiency via cavitation dislodgement and pores creation. IR coupling to DES enhances the extraction yield of polyphenols and the antioxidant and antiradical activity. MW improves DES extraction yield, reduces energy consumption, operational cost, and compound degradation, and is inferred to be the greenest technology.

The current educational system relies heavily on manual grading, posing challenges such as delayed feedback and grading inaccuracies. Automated grading tools (AGTs) offer solutions but come with limitations. To address this, "GRAD-AI" is introduced, an advanced AGT that combines automation with teacher involvement for precise grading, timely feedback, and personalized support, enhancing the education process. This paper aims to develop "GRAD-AI," an automated grading tool for computer programming assignments. The objective is to overcome the limitations of manual grading by harnessing AI's capabilities to deliver accurate and timely assessments, thus creating a more interactive and supportive learning environment. The results show that GRAD-AI provides unbiased grading and timely and accurate feedback delivery for programming assignments by using the Halstead Complexity Measure, Term Frequency – Inverse Document Frequency Measure, Abstract Syntax Tree Process, and K-means Clustering. GRAD-AI marks a substantial stride in improving grading and feedback delivery within the education sector. Its real-time feedback provision and gap identification contribute to enhanced learning outcomes. As AI's role expands, integrating automated grading tools like GRAD-AI becomes crucial for fostering personalized learning and adaptability. The paper underscores AI's potential to revolutionize assessment and grading processes, supporting global students' growth and development.

Introduction The valorization of agricultural waste from indigenous sub-Saharan African food processes remains underexplored. By-products from the processing of Parkia biglobosa seeds into condiments are often regarded as pollutants. This research assessed their potential for development in various industrial applications. Materials and methods This study employed a standardized protocol adopted in the processing of P. biglobosa seed into condiments, enabling the quantification of food and by-products generated as a percentage. A comparative analysis of the proximate and mineral constituents of the dried food condiment and seed coat (testa) was conducted. Furthermore, the phytochemical constituent of effluents from the two stages of processing was characterized using qualitative and quantitative methods, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Results and discussion The results showed that 66.27% of each 100 g processed P. biglobosa seed used could be considered waste, with 23.19% in seed coat and 29.47% in effluent(s). The seed coat has moisture absorption potential and is fibrous in nature, as confirmed by proximate fiber analysis—15.03 ± 0.13% compared to 9.07 ± 0.10% in the dried condiment. Both the condiments and seed coat contained considerable amounts of sustenance minerals. Effluents from the boiling process exhibited a characteristic starchy effect on textiles. The concentrated effluent from the first stage of boiling had a chocolate-like aroma, sticky texture, and dark-brown color compared to the effluent from the second boiling stage. The FTIR analysis indicated the presence of alcohols, alkenes, aromatic rings, carboxylic acids, and amines in the effluent samples. GCMS characterization reported the presence of specific fatty acids with known health benefits. When premised on the waste-to-wealth initiative, the quantified and characterized by-products of P. biglobosa seed processing, as reported in this study, have potential applications across various industrial processes, including food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and agriculture, among others.

The solutions of the radial Schrödinger equation for a multiparameter potential of the exponential type are obtained using two traditional methods. The energy equation obtained was used to study both virial theorem and thermodynamic properties. The energy eigenvalues obtained for the potential and its subset potentials arecompletely bounded. The computed virial theorem depends on the parameters A, B, and V. The result also shows that the three parameters A, B, and V exhibit different features on the thermodynamic properties with V having the same variation for all the thermodynamic functions.

The growing demand for sustainable chemical alternatives in various industries and the environmental impact of conventional practices in the past decades have increased, prompting an urgent need to investigate potential of sugarcane in reshaping chemical production. The primary aim of this chapter is to examine both the synthesis and applications of sugarcane-based chemicals across diverse fields. The study revealed that the possible chemicals produced from sugarcane can cover beyond alcohols such as ethanol, butanol, xylitol, sorbitol, and glycerol; organic acids like lactic, levulinic, and succinic acids; furan-based chemicals such as furfural and furfuryl alcohol; and bio-plastics like polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate. These chemicals prove to be valuable in industries spanning food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, cosmetics, medicine, and agriculture. The study also presents recommendations based on challenges in the field, offering insights for future research. In conclusion, the utilization of sugarcane for chemical production represents a harmonious blend of economic viability, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation. As industries worldwide seek greener alternatives, sugarcane emerges as a beacon of hope, offering solutions that not only meet current needs but also pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.

With the expansion of the manufacturing sector, it has become crucial to incorporate sustainable production methods in order to remain competitive in the market. This study focuses on addressing the needs of the manufacturing industry by conducting a sustainability analysis of electric discharge machining for SS310 alloy. The analysis explores the impact of various electrode materials, for instance, copper and brass, as well as different machining variables, including discharge current (I = 4–12 A), spark gap (SG = 6–12 mu), pulse duration (Pon = 15–45 μs), and duty cycle (DC = 75–85%) using Taguchi method. The objective is to optimize the machining performance measures, which includes material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (Ra), electrode wear (EW), and energy consumption (EC). In addition, the economic analysis of the machining process takes into account factors such as energy cost, dielectric consumption cost, EW cost, labor cost, and machine depreciation cost for both types of electrodes. Furthermore, the study investigates the carbon emissions resulting from EC, dielectric consumption, and EW to assess the environmental impact of the machining process. Multi-criteria decision-making approach is employed to assess the sustainability of the machining process by taking into account several performance, cost and environmental factors simultaneously. From empirical analysis, it has been observed that the copper electrode outperformed the brass electrode in terms of MRR (2.67 mm³/min), Ra (3.36 µm), EW (0.272 g), and EC (145.08 kJ) due to its superior electrical and thermal characteristics. In the cost analysis, copper offered lower costs for EC (2.02 PKR) attributed to its higher electrical conductivity while higher costs in terms of EW (5.5 PKR) and dielectric consumption (5.2 PKR) than brass. However, the analysis of labor and machine depreciation costs revealed that the application of copper electrode results in lower costs (80.1 and 99.3 PKR, respectively) than the brass electrode primarily due to its shorter machining time. The analysis of the environmental impact showed that the utilization of a copper electrode leads to reduced carbon emissions of 9.8 g CO2 due to its lower EC during the machining process. However, the copper electrode results in higher emissions from EW (5.07 g CO2) and dielectric consumption (54.58 g CO2) compared to the brass electrode. Based on the multi-criteria decision-making using the composite desirability function approach, it is evident that the copper electrode exhibits superior performance in terms of MRR, Ra, and total machining cost. Conversely, the brass electrode demonstrates better performance in terms of overall carbon emissions.

Inclusion of nanoquartz particles in sandcrete blocks has revolutionized their strength and durability, offering a sustainable solution for construction applications where superior performance and longevity are required. This study aims to assess the strength and durability of nano-sandcrete blocks through a comprehensive analysis of their properties. Nano-sandcrete blocks were fabricated using various mix ratios, cured for 7 and 28 days, and evaluated for compressive strength, bulk density, morphology, and water absorption capacity. Particle size analysis revealed the presence of coarser particles in both sharp sand and quartz sand, contributing significantly to the strength and stability of the blocks. The bulk density of nano-sandcrete blocks varied across different mixtures and curing times, with values ranging from 1772.67 kg/m3 to 2660 kg/m3 after 28 days, with higher percentages of sharp sand and nanoquartz contributing to increased bulk density. Water absorption capacity varied from 10.56 to 27.89% depending on the mixture composition. Finer particles like nanoquartz and quartz sand reduced water absorption by decreasing porosity. Compressive strength improved significantly after 28 days, ranging from 3.7 N/mm2 to 8.22 N/mm2. SEM micrographs showed effective particle-matrix interaction with well-dispersed nanoquartz particles, suggesting enhanced strength and durability. The optimal composition of 80% sharp sand, 5% quartz sand, and 15% nanoquartz demonstrated improved performance, indicating that nanoquartz can enhance the strength and durability of sandcrete blocks for construction applications.

Plantain has been reported to enhance testicular function indices, however, the mechanism remains unknown. The present study investigated the action mechanisms of a plantain‐based diet in the treatment of rat testicular dysfunction caused by exposure to atrazine (ATZ). The rats were grouped into 10 groups (5 rats each); control group, 50% plantain‐based diet (50% PBD), 25% PBD, 12.5% PBD, quercetin (QUE), ATZ only, 50% PBD + ATZ, 25% PBD + ATZ, 12.5% PBD + ATZ, and QUE + ATZ for 21 days. Results revealed that ATZ treatments in rats lowered gonadal hormone levels and the semen quality (sperm concentration, motility, count, and viability), damaged testicular morphology and functions, and impaired redox‐inflammatory balance as well as cholinergic and purinergic activities. However, treatment with PBD and QUE ameliorated the testicular toxicity induced by ATZ, although the treatment did not improve the rat semen quality. In addition, the ATZ + QUE and QUE groups showed mild to moderate atrophic degenerative changes, with reduced spermatogenic activity. Together, the results are evidence that 21 days of exposure to ATZ impaired testicular function. However, co‐administration of atrazine and PBD improves rat gonadal hormones, redox state, inflammatory indices, cholinergic, and purinergic activities, as well as histoarchitecture of the testes.

The widespread proliferation of social media platforms in the 21st century has undoubtedly brought about a significant shift in how individuals establish connections. However, it is essential to acknowledge that this technological innovation has also given rise to negative repercussions. The proliferation of online abuse, harassment, cyberbullying, and trolling has emerged as a significant concern, overshadowing the otherwise advantageous aspects of digital networking platforms. The detrimental effect of cyberbullying is of considerable concern, which often causes profound psychological and physiological anguish among its targets, sometimes resulting in contemplation of suicide. The proliferation of online harassment occurrences, including disclosing confidential dialogues and spreading detrimental rumors, has engendered extensive apprehension. The present research aims to address the pressing need to identify and mitigate cyberbullying within the context of social media platforms. A rigorous approach was used to gather data from Kaggle, which was further processed utilizing sophisticated methods like tokenization, stemming, and lemmatization. The research used the Maximum Entropy Model to develop a detection system to identify instances of bullying in texts or messages shared on social media sites. The algorithm exhibited a praiseworthy mean accuracy rate of 77% in detecting cases of cyberbullying. The results highlight the capacity of the algorithm to anticipate if remarks entered by individuals on social media might be classified as cyberbullying, representing a noteworthy advancement in addressing this widespread problem. This study supports the broader deployment of the created cyberbullying detection system across all social media platforms. The proactive use of this novel technology enables online platforms to effectively detect and mitigate cyberbullying, cultivating a digital environment characterized by enhanced safety and respect. This research illuminates the significant issue of cyberbullying. It presents a concrete remedy to protect the welfare of those who engage in online activities, particularly those more susceptible to harm, such as women and children.

Mobile app reviews are valuable for gaining user feedback on features, usability, and areas for improvement. Analyzing these reviews manually is difficult due to volume and structure, leading to the need for automated techniques. This mapping study categorizes existing approaches for automated and semi-automated tools by analyzing 180 primary studies. Techniques include topic modeling, collocation finding, association rule-based, aspect-based sentiment analysis, frequency-based, word vector-based, and hybrid approaches. The study compares various tools for analyzing mobile app reviews based on performance, scalability, and user-friendliness. Tools like KEFE, MERIT, DIVER, SAFER, SIRA, T-FEX, RE-BERT, and AOBTM outperformed baseline tools like IDEA and SAFE in identifying emerging issues and extracting relevant information. The study also discusses limitations such as manual intervention, linguistic complexities, scalability issues, and interpretability challenges in incorporating user feedback. Overall, this mapping study outlines the current state of feature extraction from app reviews, suggesting future research and innovation opportunities for extracting software requirements from mobile app reviews, thereby improving mobile app development.