This study evaluated the impact of incorporating Pleurotus ostreatus spent mushroom substrate (SMS) into corn silage-based diets on rumen fermentation, fiber digestibility, and biogas emissions using the Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC). Given the need to reduce feed costs and mitigate environmentally harmful emissions from rumen fermentation, SMS was evaluated as a partial replacement for corn silage at inclusion levels of 10
Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) remains a persistent global health challenge, increasingly complicated by drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Direct inhibition of enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) offers a promising strategy to bypass the prodrug activation limitations of isoniazid. Here, we present an integrated computational framework for the design and optimization of 5-amino-1 H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile derivatives as direct InhA inhibitors, explicitly retaining the NADH cofactor throughout all structure-based analyses to preserve catalytic site fidelity. A validated e-pharmacophore model (AUC = 0.84; GH = 0.71) guided screening, followed by QSAR modeling (R² = 0.878; Q² = 0.845). Docking and post-docking MM-GBSA identified promising candidates, which were subsequently validated through 200 ns molecular dynamics simulations. Crucially, trajectory-based MM-GBSA calculations revealed averaged binding free energies of − 54.6 ± 3.2 kcal/mol (DC26) and − 57.8 ± 2.9 kcal/mol (DC28), highlighting deviations from single-snapshot estimates. Per-residue energy decomposition identified Tyr158, Met199, and NADH as dominant energetic contributors, with distinct interaction fingerprints differentiating DC26 and DC28. Principal component analysis confirmed stable conformational sampling with convergence into dominant binding basins. Collectively, DC28 emerges as the more energetically favorable inhibitor, while DC26 exhibits complementary interaction stability. These findings refine the energetic and mechanistic understanding of pyrazole-based InhA inhibition and provide a quantitatively validated framework for future anti-TB drug development.
Energy availability is critical to socio-economic development, yet slightly over half of Nigerias population has electricity access, far below the demand of over 200 million people. This study evaluates the techno-economic and environmental viability of distributed 20 MW hybrid energy systems capped at this level under regulatory limits for distributed generation across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Using 20 years (2003-2022) of NiMET hourly solar and wind data, six configurations (PSS, WSS, PV-Wind, PV-Wind-NG, NGSS, DSS) were modelled over a 20-year horizon. A full loss-stack approach captured conversion efficiency, fuel price escalation, PV/wind degradation, and grid/BOS/interconnection costs. Systems were assessed on LCOE, NPC, and minimum FiT for positive project value. Results show diesel-based-systems are most costly and carbon-intensive, while PV-Wind-NG hybrids consistently perform best. The lowest cost occurs at Jos with LCOE $0.13/kWh and NPC $14.8 m under 50:50 debt-equity financing. Across other zones, PV-Wind-NG hybrids yield LCOEs of $0.16-0.24/kWh and NPCs of $22-33 m, with natural gas shares ranging from 31 % (Jos) to 50 % (Port-Harcourt). However, the current Band-A FiT ((sic)134.08/kWh) falls short, as breakeven requires (sic)185-334/kWh depending on location. Findings confirm that 20 MW distributed hybrid systems are technically feasible but not yet at grid parity. The Electricity Act 2023, which empowers state-level electricity markets, is therefore critical to enabling deployment. This study provides a data-driven framework to support Nigeria's Energy Transition Plan, SDG 7, and climate commitments, equipping policymakers and investors with actionable insights for decentralized, sustainable electrification.
Purpose Academic libraries may become obsolete in the twenty-first century unless they begin to harness new technology and improve information and service delivery. This paper aims to examine the emergence of social media technologies (SMTs) with their implications to academic library services in developing countries in the world. It is believed that a growing number of libraries of all types are starting to use SMTs to enhance their service delivery, similar to other institutions. Design/methodology/approach The research, which was conducted on a desk, examined how the implementation of SMTs may affect library services and operations. The study emphasizes that many academic libraries in developing countries have not yet adopted and implemented SMTs despite the potential that they hold for libraries. Findings Given that there has been relatively little study linking SMTs to librarianship, this may be because there is a low degree of awareness of SMTs’ importance in libraries. This study discovered that there are other types of SMTs relevant to academic libraries including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blog among others. This paper reported the implications of SMTs to library services in developing countries. Originality/value This study is the original idea from the authors and does not reflect on any copyrighted materials. The study recommended among others that sufficient training and more expertise need to be gained by academic libraries to further facilitate implementation of social networks in the libraries, and adoption of contemporary media technologies such as social media in meeting the needs of the 21st-century library patrons should be prioritized.
This study presents a comprehensive density functional theory (DFT) examination of CoHfSb and RhHfSb Heusler alloys, elucidating their structural, electronic, and thermoelectric properties. Utilizing Quantum ESPRESSO and Thermo_pw, optimized lattice constants reveal a semiconducting nature with computed band gap energies of 0.78 eV (CoHfSb) and 0.81 eV (RhHfSb). Exceptional thermoelectric performance is demonstrated through Figures of Merit (ZT) values: 0.74 (n-type) and 0.99 (p-type) for CoHfSb, and 0.78 (n-type) and 0.99 (p-type) for RhHfSb. Indirect band gaps are confirmed by non-aligned valence and conduction band edges. These findings underscore the significant potential of CoHfSb and RhHfSb for efficient thermoelectric applications, particularly in energy harvesting and power generation.
