Edo State University Uzairue

In this paper, we give a short overview of some propensity score matching estimators suggested in the evaluation literature, and we provide a set of Stata programs, which we illustrate using the National Supported Work (NSW) demonstration widely known in labor economics.

Nanoparticles are of great importance in development and research because of their application in industries and biomedicine. The development of nanoparticles requires proper knowledge of their fabrication, interaction, release, distribution, target, compatibility, and functions. This review presents a comprehensive update on nanoparticles' toxic effects, the factors underlying their toxicity, and the mechanisms by which toxicity is induced. Recent studies have found that nanoparticles may cause serious health effects when exposed to the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact without caution. The extent to which toxicity is induced depends on some properties, including the nature and size of the nanoparticle, the surface area, shape, aspect ratio, surface coating, crystallinity, dissolution, and agglomeration. In all, the general mechanisms by which it causes toxicity lie on its capability to initiate the formation of reactive species, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity, among others.

Nutt. It is a representative of a class of diterpene taxanes, which are nowadays used as the most common chemotherapeutic agent against many forms of cancer. It possesses scientifically proven anticancer activity against, e.g., ovarian, lung, and breast cancers. The application of this compound is difficult because of limited solubility, recrystalization upon dilution, and cosolvent-induced toxicity. In these cases, nanotechnology and nanoparticles provide certain advantages such as increased drug half-life, lowered toxicity, and specific and selective delivery over free drugs. Nanodrugs possess the capability to buildup in the tissue which might be linked to enhanced permeability and retention as well as enhanced antitumour influence possessing minimal toxicity in normal tissues. This article presents information about paclitaxel, its chemical structure, formulations, mechanism of action, and toxicity. Attention is drawn on nanotechnology, the usefulness of nanoparticles containing paclitaxel, its opportunities, and also future perspective. This review article is aimed at summarizing the current state of continuous pharmaceutical development and employment of nanotechnology in the enhancement of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of paclitaxel as a chemotherapeutic agent.

A critical global issue in the 21st century is water shortage, as well as its pollution with noxious metal ions and organic dyes. To extract these pollutants from wastewater, a variety of traditional methods have been employed but they lack reusability/recyclability, are expensive, environmentally unfriendly, unsafe and the remediation process takes a long time. Therefore, to treat these contaminants, nanotechnology (NT) has recently been granted several leeways in terms of making the desirable nanomaterials (NMs) with high surface-to-volume ratios and special surface functionalities. In particular, fly ash (FA) has stood out as one of the greatest exciting new-found affordable and high efficient materials for water decontamination owing to its high porosity, huge surface area, and exceptional features. Hence, this present review study will attempt to compile data from existing literature on the utilization of FA-based adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals (HMs) and dyes from wastewater. Based on the reviewed publications, Langmuir's isotherm models (LIMs) and Freundlich's isotherm models (FIMs) best described the sorption process thus signalling monolayer and multi-layer sorptions. Pseudo-second-order (PSO) model provided the best appropriate means in elucidating the kinetic process and both exothermic and endothermic processes revealed the nature of the thermodynamic process during sorption. Some recommendations in the form of future prospects on how to advance the capacity of the adsorption and effectiveness of FA on the removal of HMs, dyes and other environmental contaminants using innovative technologies such as the nanofiber technology is also been proposed.

Pollutants in water or wastewater raise grave public health problems. This review provides a concise summary of the potential applications of activated carbon derived from various sources. Here is an overview of the activated carbon properties and materials used to produce activated carbon. It also explores different techniques for creating active carbon for improved performance in specific applications, particularly low-cost adsorbents for heavy metal and synthetic dye removal.

Abstract This comprehensive review examines hydrogen’s potential as a pivotal clean energy carrier, focusing on its role in replacing fossil fuels across various industries. This study also examines recent advancements in hydrogen production technologies, including electrolysis, steam methane reforming, and biomass gasification, emphasizing their economic and environmental impacts. Special attention is given to hydrogen produced from renewable sources like solar and wind energy, emphasizing its benefits in reducing carbon emissions and contributing to a sustainable energy future. The review discusses technological challenges, cost factors, and the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen production and storage, particularly in relation to achieving global energy transition goals. Furthermore, the study stresses the importance of government policies and international collaboration to drive the adoption of hydrogen technologies. The study concludes by outlining the transformative potential of hydrogen in decarbonizing key sectors such as transportation and heavy industry. It demonstrates the significant contribution of hydrogen to a low-carbon global energy system and provides valuable insights into its role in improving grid stability, energy security, and supporting sustainable industrial practices.

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease and one of the major issues of health concern, especially for the public health system globally. Nature is a source of anticancer drugs with abundant pool of diverse chemicals and pharmacologically active compounds. In recent decade, some natural products and synthetic analogs have been investigated for the cancer treatment. This article presents the utilization of natural products as a source of antitumor drugs.

Abstract This thorough review explores the pioneering applications of graphene oxide (GO) in tackling emerging environmental pollutants, highlighting its distinct role in environmental remediation. Setting itself apart, this review meticulously synthesizes cutting-edge research, focusing on GO’s practical applications in eliminating emerging contaminants from water. It is worth highlighting that there is a limited number of reviews focused on this particular subject, making this work outstanding. It provides specific instances of successful contaminant removal, identifies knowledge gaps, and proposes future directions. Serving as a vital resource for researchers and practitioners, it offers practical insights into applying GO in contaminant remediation, especially in challenging environments. The review critically analyzes crucial gaps in current research, including understanding the long-term environmental effects of GO, its interactions with diverse pollutants, and effective large-scale implementation. This review not only expands our knowledge, but also guides future research endeavors. Furthermore, it outlines clear pathways for future studies, advocating for in-depth ecological research, advanced contaminant interaction analyses, and innovative large-scale implementation strategies. This work establishes a strong foundation, defining the unique novelty of GO applications in environmental remediation and shaping the future discourse in this essential field of study.

We describe a new algorithm called FrequentDirections for deterministic matrix sketching in the row-update model. The algorithm is presented an arbitrary input matrix A \in \mathbb{R}^{n \times d} one row at a time. It performs O(d\ell) operations per row and maintains a sketch matrix B \in \mathbb{R}^{\ell \times d} such that for any k < \ell, \|A^TA - B^TB \|_2 \leq \|A - A_k\|_F^2 / (\ell-k) {\;and\;} \|A - \pi_{B_k}(A)\|_F^2 \leq (1 + \frac{k}{\ell-k}) \|A-A_k\|_F^2. Here, A_k stands for the minimizer of \|A - A_k\|_F over all rank k matrices (similarly for B_k) and \pi_{B_k}(A) is the rank k matrix resulting from projecting A on the row span of B_k. We show that both of these bounds are the best possible for the space allowed. The summary is mergeable and hence trivially parallelizable. Moreover, FrequentDirections outperforms exemplar implementations of existing streaming algorithms in the space-error tradeoff. This paper combines, simplifies, and extends the results of Liberty [Proceedings of the 19th ACM SIGKDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining, 2013], Ghashami and Phillips [Proceedings of the Twenty-Fifth Annual ACM-SIAM Symposium on Discrete Algorithms, 2014], and Woodruff [Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference on Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems, 2014].

Support from partners/fathers and families can play a significant role in a mother's decision to initiate, continue or cease breastfeeding postnatally. This study systematically reviewed published studies to determine the impact of specific types of partner support on breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity. We used the 2015 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for the review. Seven computerized bibliographic databases (Embase, ProQuest Central, Scopus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE/PubMed and CINAHL) were searched. Of a total of 695 articles retrieved from the databases, seven studies met the inclusion criteria and reported on breastfeeding initiation, duration and exclusivity. Four of the seven studies found that partner support in the form of verbal encouragement to new mothers increased breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Other types of partner supportive actions that led to improved breastfeeding behavior included sensitivity of the partner to the nursing mother's needs, assistance in preventing and managing breastfeeding difficulties, and helping with household and child care duties. This review showed that specific supportive actions of partners/fathers in the community positively improved breastfeeding practices. To maximise the impact of breastfeeding policies and interventions among new mothers, breastfeeding programmes should consider the involvement of partners/fathers and their specific roles.

Global environmental pollutants are becoming intense because of the increasing human population, urbanisation, and industrialisation. Human health and the ecosystem are affected by soil and water contamination. Therefore, creating strategies is essential to tackle this persistent issue. In the process, the health and environmental risk associated with these pollutants can be signifi-cantly reduced. Previously, traditional remediation techniques have been employed in combating these environmental pollutants, proving ineffective. Mycoremediation, which uses fungi or their compounds to remediate environmental pollutants, has shown to be a cost-efficient, environmen-tally friendly, and effective method of environmental remediation that includes organic, inorganic, and emerging contaminants (antibiotics, pharmaceuticals). This review provides an overview of various mycoremediation approaches through fungi for biosorption, precipitation, biotransfor-mation, and sequestration of environmental pollutants. In addition, the removal of metals, persis-tent organic pollutants, and other emerging contaminants by mycoremediation was highlighted. For example, fungi such as Pleurotusdryinus, Trameteshirsuta MK640786, and Aspergillusniger shows 91%, 94%, and 98.4% degradation of pollutants ranging from pesticides to azo dyes, respectively. Furthermore, prospects of mycoremediation to remove heavy metals and emerging pollutants from waters and soils were discussed. It was elucidated that fungi have great potential for the mycoremediation of emerging pollutants such as heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, and weedicides. The findings suggested a knowledge gap exists to enhance the rate of the mycoremediation process. Therefore, a possible framework of mycoremediation was proposed to facilitate this promising technology for rectifying global environmental problems. For mycoremediation procedures to be as effective as possible, further studies are needed on fungal enzymes’ role, activities, and regulation.

Prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease, the second deadliest malignancy in men and the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. Traditional plants have been applied to handle various diseases and to develop new drugs. Medicinal plants are potential sources of natural bioactive compounds that include alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenes, and steroids. Many of these naturally-occurring bioactive constituents possess promising chemopreventive properties. In this sense, the aim of the present review is to provide a detailed overview of the role of plant-derived phytochemicals in prostate cancers, including the contribution of plant extracts and its corresponding isolated compounds.

Twelve percent of the Malawian population is HIV infected. Eighteen percent of sexual encounters are casual. A condom is used a third of the time. To analyze the Malawian epidemic, a choice‐theoretic general equilibrium search model is constructed. In the developed framework, people select between different sexual practices while knowing the inherent risk. The calibrated model is used to study several policy interventions, namely, ART, circumcision, better condoms, and the treatment of other STDs. The efficacy of public policy depends upon the induced behavioral changes and equilibrium effects. The framework complements the insights from epidemiological studies and small‐scale field experiments.

Bacterial and fungal exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are extracellular metabolites of living organisms (plants, animals, algae, bacteria and fungi) associated with adaptation, survival and functionalities. The EPSs also afford humans multiple value-adding applications across different spheres of endeavors. The variable chemical and biochemical architecture that characterizes an EPS presets its biological functionality and potential biotechnological benefits. Suffices to say that it is amenable to genetic, biotechnological and biochemical maneuverability for desired bioactivity or application during their production and extraction. EPSs have been shown to have, antioxidant, anti-tumor and antiviral activities; enhance soil aridity and nutritional value of food consumed by humans. Their innocuous domestic and commercial versatility and biotechnological relevance is a reliable confirmation of the recent attention accorded EPSs by the global research community. This is especially with respect to their biosynthesis, composition, production, structure, characterization, sources, functional properties and applications. It is also responsible for the development of newer strategies for their extraction. EPSs' relative prospects, perspectives and orientation in the African context are seldom reported in recognized scientific literature data bases. A random preliminary study showed that EPS applications, biotechnological and research orientations are still developing, and influenced by preponderant vegetation, level of industrialization, political will and culture. Africa is endowed with untapped bioresources (biomaterials), bioproducts and bioequivalents that can mediate several global foods, industrial and technological challenges for which EPS may be a potential remedy.

This study aims at investigating student perception of Nigerian institutions of higher learning using the new digital culture induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, namely, online learning (i.e. e-learning), that has become commonplace globally and specifically in Nigeria. The study used quantitative survey methods and a sample size of 1134 Nigerian students of the three types of higher institutions in Nigeria: universities, polytechnics, and colleges of higher education based on student state residential location. The respondents completed a questionnaire via Google Forms in June and July 2020. The study found that students are not satisfied with virtual learning embarked upon by many higher institutions throughout the country during the COVID-19 lockdown and would not want the online learning to continue after the pandemic due to poor internet infrastructure and lack of electricity. The study concluded that students of higher education in Nigeria have a low acceptance of online learning technology, preferring instead the traditional classroom setting, and thus putting them in the “Laggards adopter categorization” of the diffusion innovation theory, i.e., the group that is highly conservative and extremely slow to accept new technological innovations. The study recommends that universities should engage students more interactively not only through texts but also video (e.g. camera demonstrations), increase their online learning during the pandemic so as not to lag academically, and spend more time on online learning to get the best possible level of instruction until traditional learning resumes. Also, it is recommended that administrators of Nigerian higher institutions should return to a traditional learning format as soon as the pandemic is over as well as an overhaul and restructuring of the internet and power grid nationwide.

The outstretched applications of biosensors in diverse domains has become the reason for their attraction for scientific communities. Because they are analytical devices, they can detect both quantitative and qualitative biological components through the generation of detectable signals. In the recent past, biosensors witnessed significant changes and developments in their design as well as features. Nanotechnology has revolutionized sensing phenomena by increasing biodiagnostic capacity in terms of specificity, size, and cost, resulting in exceptional sensitivity and flexibility. The steep increase of non-communicable diseases across the world has emerged as a matter of concern. In parallel, the abrupt outbreak of communicable diseases poses a serious threat to mankind. For decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with various communicable and non-communicable diseases, early detection and subsequent treatment are indispensable. Detection of different biological markers generates quantifiable signals that can be electrochemical, mass-based, optical, thermal, or piezoelectric. Speculating on the incumbent applicability and versatility of nano-biosensors in large disciplines, this review highlights different types of biosensors along with their components and detection mechanisms. Moreover, it deals with the current advancements made in biosensors and the applications of nano-biosensors in detection of various non-communicable and communicable diseases, as well as future prospects of nano-biosensors for diagnostics.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder resulting from germline mutations in the NF2 gene. Bilateral vestibular schwannomas, tumors on cranial nerve VIII, are pathognomonic for NF2 disease. Furthermore, schwannomas also commonly develop in other cranial nerves, dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerves. These tumors are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and medical therapies to treat them are limited. Animal models that accurately recapitulate the full anatomical spectrum of human NF2-related schwannomas, including the characteristic functional deficits in hearing and balance associated with cranial nerve VIII tumors, would allow systematic evaluation of experimental therapeutics prior to clinical use. Here, we present a genetically engineered NF2 mouse model generated through excision of the Nf2 gene driven by Cre expression under control of a tissue-restricted 3.9kbPeriostin promoter element. By 10 months of age, 100% of Postn-Cre; Nf2(flox/flox) mice develop spinal, peripheral and cranial nerve tumors histologically identical to human schwannomas. In addition, the development of cranial nerve VIII tumors correlates with functional impairments in hearing and balance, as measured by auditory brainstem response and vestibular testing. Overall, the Postn-Cre; Nf2(flox/flox) tumor model provides a novel tool for future mechanistic and therapeutic studies of NF2-associated schwannomas.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been the subject of extensive research due to their peculiar physical and chemical properties. Numerous studies have used their NPs as photocatalytic and antibacterial agents because of their high surface-to-volume ratio, miniature size, antimicrobial activity, and semiconducting properties. However, some of the aforementioned features also exhibit limitations in ZnO NPs. It seems possible to circumvent these limitations and increase the utilization of ZnO NPs by doping them with silver and selenium elements. Therefore, a thorough review of the use of selenium or silver doped ZnO NPs for photocatalytic and antibacterial objectives was conducted in this study. Additionally, emphasis was placed on the synthesis of ZnO NPs doped with silver or selenium using principally sol-gel, mechanochemical, and green techniques. The results showed that doping ZnO NPs with selenium or silver NPs considerably improved some intrinsic qualities as ROS production capability, bandgap, stability, etc., which consequently improved their photocatalytic and antibacterial features. As a result, they excelled at the photo-catalytic breakdown of organic pollutants and the treatment of bacterial illnesses.

Abstract The synthesized biochars derived from sawdust (SD) SD ozone (SDO) biochar, purified SD (PSD) biochar, and sonicated SD (SSD) biochar, which was employed in the confiscation of methylene blue (MB) dye ion, were characterized employing “Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Thermal gravimetrical analysis (TGA).” The impact of various factors, such as pH, biochar dosage, and initial concentration, on MB dye sequestration, was tested in this study. It was found that the biosorption of MB dye to the various biochars was dependent on the solution pH, with optimum confiscation of MB observed at pH 12 for all biochars. Pseudo-second-order (PSO), Freundlich (FRH)- (SDO and SSD biochars), and Langmuir (LNR)- (PSD biochar) models were used to best describe the biosorption process of MB dye to various biochars. Based on the LNR model fitting to the experimental data, the optimum sorption capacities obtained using SDO, SSD, and PSD biochars were 200, 526, and 769 mg/g, respectively. Electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding played an important role in the interaction mechanism between the various biochars and MB dye. Hence, these studied SDO, PSD, and SSD biochars prepared from cheap, easily accessible, biodegradable, and non-hazardous agro-waste materials can be effectively used for the removal, treatment, and management of MB dye as well as other industrial effluents before their disposal into the environment.

Environmental detection, monitoring and controlling of pathogenic or harmful gases has become an utmost priority. They contribute to major public health problems such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular dysfunction and diseases, central nervous system (CNS) anomalies and other diseases (cancer, bronchiolitis, asthma etc.). Also, they are associated with frightening global warming thus affecting the ambient environment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to control and mitigate these gases. Notably, the existing conventional gas sensors are painstakingly very slow, labour and capital intensive, invasive and require specialized apparatuses and human capital to operate. A glowing need to develop cheap, fast, efficient, highly sensitive, portable sensors with less power usage and a high degree of reliability has been on the rise. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively explored to develop biosensors owing to fact that they are tubular-nanosized materials with excellent biocompatibility coupled with large surface area, excellent thermal, electrical, mechanical and optical properties. In the recent past, the invention and fabrication of CNTs-based biosensors and their mechanisms have been a subject of intense research studies in the detection and monitoring of gases. Therefore, in this short review, we present an in-depth overview survey of CNTs-based biosensors for gas sensing sourced from published papers and online articles. The paper also highlights challenges associated with CNTs-based gas sensors, possible remedial actions and future work opportunities in this research area.