In Awka and most parts of Anambra State, plastering is commonly carried out using the cheapest and nearest available materials like river-bed sand dredged from the Onitsha reach of the River Niger or clayey borrow-pit soils excavated locally, which are often mixed by eye, leading to frequent cracking, blistering, delamination, poor bonding, and patchy finishes. This study therefore characterized the geotechnical, physico-chemical, and mineralogical properties of borrow-pit soils from Amansea and Ebenebe, river-bed sand from Onitsha, and four laboratory-prepared blends at 80/20 and 60/40 (sand/soil) ratios using particle-size analysis, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, Standard Proctor compaction, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results showed that all materials are highly siliceous (SiO₂ 77–87 wt.%) and quartz-dominated (86–96 wt.%) with very low fines content (< 0.6 %), making them essentially non-plastic despite the clayey appearance of the borrow-pit soils (kaolinite only 3–7 wt.%). Blending Onitsha river-bed sand with borrow-pit soils significantly reduced fines, water demand, and plasticity while increasing maximum dry density and specific gravity. The 60 % Onitsha + 40 % Amansea blend exhibited the optimum combination: highest maximum dry density (1.86 Mg/m³), low optimum moisture content (11 %), very low fines (0.39 %), and the cleanest oxide profile, clearly outperforming the individual raw materials. The widespread plaster defects observed locally are thus attributable to the use of unblended or poorly proportioned materials, while a simple, controlled 60:40 blend offers a strong, shrinkage-resistant, and sustainable plastering aggregate using only locally available resources.

Background: Lumbar intervertebral disc prolapses, commonly known as herniated disc, is a leading cause of chronic lower back pain and radicular pain, often necessitating surgical intervention when conservative treatments fail. This study compares the outcomes of unilateral fenestration and discectomy (UFD) versus bilateral fenestration and discectomy (BFD) in treating lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of UFD and BFD in terms of pain relief, functional improvement, complication rates, and recovery times. Methods: This prospective study involved 200 patients diagnosed with single-segment lumbar disc herniation from January 2012 to December 2017. Patients underwent conservative treatment before surgical intervention. Group A received UFD, while Group B underwent BFD. Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and functional recovery was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 19.0 software. Results: Group A (UFD) demonstrated superior perioperative and postoperative outcomes compared to Group B (BFD). Although demographic variables and herniation patterns were comparable between groups, Group A exhibited shorter surgical duration, lower intraoperative blood loss, and reduced postoperative analgesic requirements. Hospital stay and bed rest duration were significantly shorter in Group A, indicating faster recovery. Preoperative VAS-LP, VAS-BP, and ODI scores were similar in both groups; however, Group A showed greater reductions in pain and disability scores at early and late follow-up. Additionally, fewer postoperative complications were noted in Group A. These findings suggest that UFD leads to more efficient surgical recovery and improved early functional outcomes compared to BFD. Conclusion: UFD (Group A) provides clear advantages, including lower postoperative pain levels, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster overall recovery. These findings support UFD as a preferable surgical approach for appropriately selected patients, owing to its less invasive nature and superior short-term outcomes.

This study evaluates the impact of soybean inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum on different soil types (Acric Ferralsol, Xanthic Ferralsol, Eutric Cambisol) in the Lubumbashi region, in southeastern DR Congo, where yields are low due to soil degradation and limited use of inputs. The main objective was to identify the optimal combinations between Bradyrhizobium strains, soybean varieties, and soil types in order to improve soybean productivity and contribute to the regeneration of degraded tropical soils. A field trial was conducted using a split-plot design. Three strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and an uninoculated control were applied to five soybean varieties on three different soil types. The seeds were inoculated before sowing. Agronomic data (emergence, growth, nodulation, yield) and soil physicochemical properties were collected and analyzed by ANOVA to evaluate the effects of different factors and their interactions. The results showed a strong interaction between soil type, Bradyrhizobium strain, and soybean variety. The Ferralsols, more degraded, responded better to inoculation than the eutric Cambisol, which is more fertile. Strains S1 (USDA 110) and S3 (USDA 142) proved to be the most effective in improving nodulation and vegetative growth. Surprisingly, the highest yields were observed in the acric Ferralsols, despite lower nodulation, suggesting a better allocation of resources toward seed production. Inoculation also had a positive effect on pH and cation availability in Ferralsols. The study confirms that the effectiveness of soybean inoculation strongly depends on local soil conditions. An agroecological approach, adapting the choice of Bradyrhizobium strains to the soil type, is essential for sustainably improving soybean productivity and the fertility of tropical soils.

The industrial sector, a significant contributor to global energy demand, is experiencing a vital transition towards sustainable practices while maintaining production efficiency. The implementation of peak shaving electricity, a strategy that reduces consumption during periods of peak demand, presents a viable solution. This approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs, benefiting both the environment and the economy. Recent advancements in the integration of solar photovoltaics (PV), battery energy storage system (BESS), and demand response programs have enhanced the appeal of peak shaving using with vendor controller and reliable communication system. This integrated approach has attracted considerable attention for its potential to optimize energy use while maintaining industrial operations, providing a pathway to responsible industrial sustainability. This paper presents application of optimal BESS management with integrating solar PV for industrial peak shaving using real-time demand response data and standard Modbus TCP/IP communication systems. This article identifies key themes, including objectives, technologies employed, and techniques for implementation. A case study of a California Waste Management facility describes the implementation of hybrid solar photovoltaic systems, a battery energy storage system, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. These systems are capable of directly powering operations, storing solar energy in batteries, feeding excess energy into the grid, and transitioning to grid-supplied power as required. This case study demonstrated a notable 13.87% reduction in energy costs and a 22.9% decrease in CO2 emissions. This study presents the Industrial Peak Shaving framework, designed to promote sustainable industrial practices and guide future research and implementation.

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This study investigates the linguistic practices of the queer community in Delta State, Nigeria, focusing on the morph-semantic features of its language. Using qualitative methods including interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions, and WhatsApp chat analysis the research identifies lexical items peculiar to the LGBT community and examines the processes of word formation and semantic variation. Drawing on Laurie Bauer’s morphological productivity theory, the study uncovers innovative morphological structures and semantic shifts reflecting identity, secrecy, and solidarity. Findings reveal that queer language in Delta State exhibits high morphological productivity, incorporating affixation, clipping, compounding, and borrowing. Many lexical items have no direct equivalents in Standard English and exhibit meanings accessible only to insiders. The research underscores the intersection of language, identity, and marginalization in sociolinguistic discourse and contributes to the documentation of underexplored Nigerian linguistic varieties.

The shift from secondary level to tertiary level marks an important phase in a student’s academic and personal life. This study investigates the various challenges faced by first-year university students, commonly known as freshers. This study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, encompassing questionnaires, interviews, and observations, to identify the primary challenges encountered by students in their initial university experience. The study's findings indicate that freshmen face various social, emotional, academic, and financial difficulties, including homesickness, language barriers, adjustment to new learning styles, and financial stress. A lot of students also felt mental anxiety, feelings of inferiority, and trouble with time management and communication. This study underscores the necessity for supportive measures from university administrations, encompassing counseling services, pedagogical approaches, and equitable treatment for all students. If these issues are properly addressed, universities can ensure a more welcoming environment for freshers; additionally, it will create a smoother shift to higher education and promote their academic and personal development.

Thermal regeneration of spent commercial granular activated carbon was done sequentially after batch adsorption studies to check the adsorptive capacities of the carbon after four (4) circles of regeneration. Characterization of the adsorbents was carried out instrumentally using FTIR, SEM, and PXRD. Characterization parameters such as burn off 25.06% (CGAC) and 6.498% for (RGAC), bulk density 0.58 g/cm3 for (CGAC) and 0.68 g/cm3 for (RGAC), Moisture contents 0.074 and pH 7.0. Attrition 36.24% (CGAC) and 88.92 % (RGAC), Conductivity 1422 µs/cm (CGAC) and 13.85 µs/cm (RGAC). Stock solution of 1000 ppm was prepared; the experimental solution was prepared by using dilution formula to calculate the exact amount of the stock needed to dilute with distilled water to obtain 10,20,30,40, and 50 ppm working standards. 20cm3 of each working standards of Congo red solution were interacted with 1.0 g of the commercial granular activated carbon in a separate glass flask capped with foil. The maximum adsorption capacity after four circles of thermal regeneration, is approximately 81% overall. Batch adsorption study was carried out to study the effect of experimental variables. (pH, Initial concentration, contact time, adsorbent dosage and temperature). The equilibrium study for the sorption of Congo red was investigated using Langmuir, Freundlich, DubininRadushkevich and Temkin isotherm models. The linearity of the Langmuir isotherm models (R2 value of 0.9909 for CGAC, 0.9869 for RGAC), Freundlich isotherm model R2 was CGAC (0.9295), RGAC (0.8794), Temkin isotherm model (R2 CGAC (0.7837), RGAC (0.8076), and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model RGAC (0.7829), CGAC (0.7322) were obtained from their various plots. Langmuir seems to have the best fit having its R2 values very close to 1 follow by Freundlich isotherm model. The efficiency in removal of Congo red using the regenerated adsorbent and commercial activated carbon at 95% confidence interval shows that there is no statistically significant difference. This implied that regeneration of adsorbents after use is of economic advantage to curb cost in solving the problem of textile effluents decolorization.

Nanoparticles and metals increasingly intersect with biological systems, demanding biomarkers that are mechanistically informative, field-deployable, and interpretable across species. Framed within a One-Health perspective, this literature review synthesizes evidence on the nano–bio interface from molecular to ecosystem scales. We first situate exposure pathways, environmental fate, and bioavailability highlighting agglomeration, protein corona dynamics, dissolution/redox cycling, and uptake routes that condition internal doses. We then map mechanistic cascades (oxidative stress, immune modulation, genotoxic/epigenetic regulation, tissue injury/repair) onto Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) to clarify where biomarker families read out along the continuum from initiating events to organismal and population effects. Assay domains are examined comparatively: enzymatic/biochemical markers (e.g., CAT, SOD, GPx, LPO), miRNA and broader omics (transcriptomic/proteomic/metabolomic pathways), histopathology and digital pathology, behavioral/physiological endpoints, and environmental DNA (eDNA) biosurveillance. Cross-taxa synthesis spans aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, amphibians/reptiles, and birds/mammals, distilling concordance/discordance patterns among endpoints and contexts. For multimodal inference, we review Weight-of-Evidence, multivariate panel construction (PCA/PLS/clustering), and probabilistic/Bayesian fusion with attention to calibration and uncertainty. Quality and standards are emphasized (controls, effect sizes, MIQE/FAIR/GLP elements) alongside nano/metal-specific interferences and key confounders (life stage, genotype, co-stressors, matrix effects, particle traits/metal speciation). Applications span aquaculture health, wildlife conservation, environmental compliance, and translational/clinical monitoring. We identify critical gaps—chronic low-dose and mixture exposures, under-studied taxa/ecosystems, longitudinal field realism—and propose minimal core panels for lab screening and field deployment, plus a staged roadmap for method harmonization, reference materials, and open data resources. Collectively, the review outlines a path to robust, cross-taxa biomarker architectures that strengthen nanotoxicology inference and One-Health decision-making.

This study explores the perceptions of undergraduate English literature students in Northern Bangladesh concerning the improvement of their soft skills through academic experiences. The paper mainly focuses on five core skills: presentation skills, technological skills, leadership skills, job searching skills, and CV writing skills. A mixed-method research approach is used to conduct the research. The quantitative data is collected through a structured survey among 300 participants and the qualitative data is collected through open-ended interviews with 50 participants. All the respondents are undergraduate English literature students of 3 private universities, 2 public universities and 2 colleges under national university in northern Bangladesh. The results reveal that though students of the private universities get moderate help from the university for the development of their soft skills, public university students and especially national university students do not get that much assistance for their soft skills development

In the modern world, information security plays a key role in protecting data, financial transactions and personal information from cyber threats. Every year, the number and complexity of cyber-attacks grow, which requires information security specialists not only to have deep knowledge, but also to be able to quickly adapt to new challenges. Globalization leads to an expansion of the scale of interaction and data exchange, which, on the one hand, contributes to the development of technology and the economy, and on the other hand, creates new risks and threats. In the context of globalization, it is especially important to prepare students for future professional activities in the field of information security, providing them with relevant knowledge and skills. Educational institutions are faced with the task of developing and implementing effective training programmers that allow students to master advanced technologies and methods of information protection. An important aspect is the integration of innovative approaches into the educational process, such as the use of virtual reality, simulations, project-based learning and cooperation with industry. This article aims to study modern challenges in the field of information security, analyze existing programmers for training specialists and suggestions for their improvement. New methods and approaches to training, development and implementation of educational standards, as well as examples of successful integration of innovative technologies into educational programmers will be considered. The purpose of the article is to suggest ways to improve the training of students in the field of information security so that they can effectively counter cyber threats in the context of globalization

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is a major transformative push for an economy and public services diversification such as in health. This strategic vision of health care in the Kingdom gives emphasis on sustainability, accessibility, and quality in the healthcare delivery systems. Developmentally, Jazan is a fast pace growing area which faces its own specific challenges and opportunities with respect to the provision of health services. This review intends to study the health care planning in Jazan in relation to Vision 2030 which includes key policy issues, infrastructure developments, technology integration, and human resources improvements. It draws conclusions on public-private partnerships (PPPs) for health, digital health initiatives, and strategic interventions to address health issues in the region. By peer reviewing the literature available, government reports, and case studies, this review is presented as an overview of best practices and recommendations for strengthening such systems in Jazan. In conclusion, critical aspects such as healthcare governance, financial investments, and technological advancement have been drummed up, emphasizing the need for Jazan to achieve the extensive healthcare goals set forth under Vision 2030.

The excessive consumption of chemical pesticides has negative consequences for men, non-target creatures, and the surrounding environment. Pest control tactics are evolving towards biopesticides, which offer a viable and ecologically friendly sustainable approach to the insect challenges. The primary goals of this study are to investigate the potential of nanotechnology in revolutionizing pest management through the development of nanopesticides and to address the environmental and health concerns associated with traditional agrochemicals. The main objective of the current research work was to prepare medicinal plants based nanobiopesticides having improved stability, and pesticidal activity by following the method of antisolvent precipitation. Nanobiopesticides showed increased pesticidal activity and might be employed as an effective substitute to conventional chemical pesticides. The antisolvent precipitation process was used to create nanobiopesticides from medicinal plant extracts. Different medicinal plants (Mentha piperita, Lawsonia Inermis, T. Arjuna bark, Withania Somnifera roots and Ocimum basilicum) was used for the formulation of nanobiopesticides. Soxhlet apparatus was used to formulate medicinal plants extract. Different stablizers was utilized until the stable nanosuspension was formulated. The most suitable nanoformulated pesticides was characterized using FTIR, and Zeta sizer. Almost all nanobiopesticides demonstrated the existence of the O-H stretch at 3300 cm which is characteristic of alcohol and carbon-oxygen double bond at 1636.3 cm. Lawsonia Inermis based nanosuspension revealed intense peak at 3317 cm. The average particle size and polydisperity index of Lawsonia Inermis based nanobiopesticide is 228.7 nm and 24.5%. Medicinal plants extracts, nanosuspensions and pyriproxyfen was applied on Tribolium castaneum insects and mortality rate of insects was determined after different time inervals. Lawsonia Inermis plant extract showed highest (p < 0.05) mortality rate after 72 hours of treatment 51.83 ± 0.76 by utilizing 200mg/ml concentration. Results demonstrated that the Lawsonia Inermis nanosuspension had an 61.83% death rate after 72 hours of exposure due to their nanosized structure, which is higher than the plant extract but lower than the synthetic pesticide.

The article examines the rhetorical legacy of Marcus Tullius Cicero as a methodological foundation for contemporary legal research in an era of transformations. It is substantiated that the principles of ancient rhetoric the hermeneutic presupposition and the cognitive-linguistic mechanisms of understanding law retain their relevance during the transition of states to new socio-technological orders. Using the transitional period from the Roman Republic to the Empire as material, the article demonstrates how subjectivism in lawmaking and judicial discretion leads to “norm arbitrariness” and “judicial arbitrariness,” which undermine justice and the predictability of law. A futurological concept is proposed a “symbiosis” between human legal thought and artificial intelligence: the integration of AI into lawmaking and adjudication based on the philosophical doctrines of Stoicism, the rhetoric of Cicero, the ideas of Plato and Aristotle on the supremacy of law, and Ayn Rand’s views on protecting the rights of the individual creator. It is emphasized that only by relying on the logic, humanism, and objectivity laid down by ancient thinkers can AI be programmed to overcome subjective distortions in law and to create an anti-fragile, resilient legal system. The article provides forecasts on how the integration of philosophy and AI can strengthen the rule of law, ensure judicial independence, protect private property, and stabilize rules for economic prosperity, turning lawyers into “architects” of the state of the future. The article is intended for legal theorists, historians of legal doctrines, and specialists in legal technologies interested in the evolution of legal institutions and the influence of AI on law.

This study explores the influence of Bank Al-Maghrib's interventions on exchange rate behavior in Morocco from 1990 to 2024. With an ARDL model integrating key macroeconomic factors (inflation, interbank rate, liquidity, and foreign reserves), the research goal is to observe the short- and long-run relationships between monetary policy and the dirham's appreciation. Apparently, the results reveal the presence of a long-run correlation of the studied variables, meaning that the exchange rate demonstrates a sustained-in-time response to monetary fundamentals. Notably, the money supply and foreign exchange reserves appear as the most influential determinants, thereby confirming the supremacy of interventions and withdrawal in foreign exchange markets. The analysis also shows there exists a major impact of the interest rate, which exemplifies the role of the financial channel in the Moroccan setting. The findings also establish that there is a quick adjustment of the exchange rate to its long-term equilibrium, and a strong structural stability of the model. Thus, the study enhances the knowledge about Morocco's exchange rate policy and stresses the importance of policy coordination among reserve management, monetary discipline, and specific central bank operations to boost the dirham's stability during the transitional economy times.