Al-Qalam University Katsina

This study utilizes phenanthrene as the model molecule to investigate the optimization and reusability of coal-derived carbon nanoparticles for the adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). After controlled carbonization and activation, the carbon nanoparticles were synthesized using a chemical solid synthesis method and meticulously studied to determine their surface morphology and crystallinity. One factor at a time (OFAT) was used as an optimization method for the batch adsorption studies, the parameters varied including pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, Temperature, and initial phenanthrene concentration. The optimal circumstances for phenanthrene resulted in a high removal efficiency of up to 95.3% for phenanthrene, and 96% removal for naphthalene, hence demonstrating the material's potential for PAH remediation. Subsequent batch testing confirmed the material's efficacy in removing naphthalene and phenanthrene. Furthermore, reusability studies conducted over five adsorption-desorption cycles demonstrated minimal decline in removal efficiency for Naphthalene by 10%, with a difference between the 1 st and 5 th run. hence showing robust regeneration capability and operational stability. But it shows a high decline in removal efficiency for phenanthrene. The results demonstrate the efficacy and sustainability of coal-derived carbon nanoparticles as a cost-effective adsorbent for applications addressing PAH contamination in water.

Aim: The study assess the nutritional impact of intestinal parasitic infections on schoolchildren in Mashi Local Government Area (LGA), Katsina, Nigeria. Study Design: A cross-sectional study carried out between February to July 2024. Methodology: Four hundred schoolchildren were randomly selected from four public primary schools. Faecal samples were examined using formol-ether concentration technique. Anthropometric indices were used as indicators of nutritional status. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 38%. The species recorded were Schistosoma mansoni (29.4%), Hookworm (22.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (13.1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (11.8%), Trichuris trichiura (11.1%), Entamoeba histolytica (7.8%), Hymenolepis nana (7.8%), Giardia lamblia (4.6%), Taenia species (2.6%), Cryptosporidium spp. (2.0%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.3%), and Balantidium coli (0.65%). 14.4% of infected children harbored more than one parasite, indicating polyparasitism. Nutritional status indicators showed chronic and acute malnutrition among the study participants, with all schools having negative Height-for-Age Z-scores (HAZ), Weight-for-Age Z-scores (WAZ) and BMI-for-Age Z-scores (BAZ) showed statistically significant variation across the schools. Stunting is the most critical problem, with 81.3% of the children stunted, followed by underweight 47.3%, Wasting is relatively less prevalent, affecting 14.3%. There was no variation between prevalence of the three types of malnutrition in infected and non-infected children. For stunting, 82.2% of infection-negative children and 79.7% of infection-positive children were stunted, with no significant difference (AOR = 0.87, p = 0.62). Similarly, the prevalence of underweight was virtually identical between infected (46.4%) and non-infected children (47.8%), with no significant association (AOR = 0.99, p = 1.00). For wasting, infection-positive children had a slightly higher prevalence (15.0%) compared to infection-negative children (13.8%), but the difference was not statistically significant (AOR = 1.04, p = 0.89). Conclusion: The study found moderate prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the study population. High burden of malnutrition was observed, characterized by widespread chronic malnutrition as evidence by high level of stunting, presence of acute malnutrition reflected by wasting, with underweight highlighting the combined effects of both conditions. There was no association between the presence of intestinal parasitic infections and malnutrition in the study population. The findings highlight the need for combined deworming and urgent nutritional interventions.

The performance of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria lags behind peer nations, a challenge exacerbated by a turbulent business environment. While innovative capability is widely recognized as a key to competitive advantage, the literature remains fragmented, often examining singular capabilities in isolation. This conceptual paper proposes a novel, integrated framework to address this gap. Grounded in the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities theory, we synthesize four distinct but interrelated innovative capability dimensions critical for manufacturing SMEs: Ideation and Organizing Structures, Know-How Development, Exploitation of External Knowledge, and Individual Innovative Activity. We posit that it is the synergistic configuration and management of these capabilities as a higher-order dynamic capability that enables SMEs to navigate uncertainty and achieve sustainable performance. The paper develops detailed propositions linking each dimension to SME performance, moderated by contextual factors in Nigeria. By offering this integrated model, the study makes a primary theoretical contribution by clarifying the architecture of innovative capability in a resource-constrained context and a practical contribution by providing a diagnostic framework for managers and policymakers. The concluding agenda outlines pathways for empirical validation and future research.

This study examines how agent intermediaries foster consumer trust within Nigeria’s expanding mobile financial services (MFS) ecosystem. Despite rapid progress toward a cashless economy, adoption remains constrained by pervasive distrust stemming from low financial literacy, fraud concerns, and weak consumer protection frameworks. Grounded in Service-Dominant Logic and Institutional Voids Theory, the research employs a mixed-methods design combining survey data from 1,624 MFS users across Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau States with 36 in-depth interviews. Structural equation modeling reveals that agent attributes—particularly local embeddedness and reliability—strongly predict consumer trust, which in turn significantly enhances usage intensity and perceived service quality. Qualitative findings further show that social capital and community accountability operate as informal substitutes for weak institutional safeguards. The study advances theory by demonstrating that in institutionally fragile environments, digital financial inclusion depends not only on technological infrastructure but also on relational infrastructures of trust mediated through human agents. It concludes that Nigeria’s cashless transition is sustained by social trust embedded within community-based intermediation, rather than by technology alone.

Tumour neoantigens, which are products of tumour-specific mutations, are ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy because they are highly specific and have the potential to elicit a robust T-cell response. Nevertheless, clinical translation of neoantigen-based therapy is not uniform, and systematic analysis of the discovery, validation, and implementation plans is required. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase in July, 2025, to identify articles on neoantigen discovery and clinical use. In accordance with the PRISMA, 20 studies were included. Among the 20 original papers, 65% (13/20) were based on computational prediction, and only 35% (7/20) contained experimental validation, such as mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics or cell-based T-cell assays. Some studies used clinical translation, most of which used personalised vaccines and T-cell therapies, and, in some cases, immune checkpoint inhibitors. A high level of technological heterogeneity and inconsistent accuracy in neoantigen prioritisation were identified as critical limitations to clinical reliability. Neoantigen-based immunotherapy (immunotherapy) presents a high potential, but it is limited by the inaccuracy of predictions and low levels of validation. To enhance the chances of a successful translation, we suggest incorporating immunopeptidomics regularly, implementing AI-based models, expanding the global HLA sample, accelerating the manufacturing process, and standardising validation pipelines.

This study presents the synthesis, comprehensive characterization, and application of coal-derived carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) for the highly efficient removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), specifically phenanthrene and naphthalene, from aqueous solutions. Subbituminous coals sourced from the Gombe and Kogi regions of Nigeria were transformed into CNPs via a single-step CO₂-assisted solid-state activation process conducted at two distinct temperatures: 550 °C and 650 °C. The synthesized materials underwent rigorous characterization using proximate/ultimate analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA–DTA), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Characterization results revealed predominantly spherical nanoparticles (10–100 nm) with high carbon purity (> 90%) and tunable oxygen functionalities. FTIR confirmed the presence of conjugated C = C domains, while TGA–DTA demonstrated superior thermal stability for 650 °C-activated samples, exhibiting less than 10% mass loss up to 800 °C, indicative of extensive carbonization. Batch adsorption experiments were systematically performed to optimize parameters such as contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH, and temperature for phenanthrene and naphthalene removal. The 650 °C-activated Gombe sample (GomCNp650) exhibited the highest monolayer adsorption capacities (Qmax) of 1.26 mg g⁻¹ for phenanthrene and 1.45 mg g⁻¹ for naphthalene, achieving equilibrium within 150 min and 120 min, respectively. Kinetic data fitted pseudo-second-order models (R² > 0.99), and equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm (R² > 0.97), indicating monolayer chemisorption on uniform sites. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that phenanthrene adsorption onto 650 °C samples was spontaneous and exothermic (ΔG < 0; ΔH ≈ -8 to -10 kJ mol⁻¹), whereas naphthalene uptake required higher temperatures to become favorable due to entropy contributions. The study highlights that activation temperature critically tunes the balance between hydrophobic π–π interactions and surface functionality, influencing adsorption mechanisms. While the observed adsorption capacities are relatively low and reusability showed a significant decline over three cycles, these findings offer valuable insights into the fundamental interactions governing PAH adsorption on coal-derived carbon nanoparticles, informing future material design for enhanced performance.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-27116-4.

Phosphorus is the least mobile and available to plants in most soil conditions despite being abundant in organic and inorganic forms. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) play an important role in supplying Phosphorus to plants in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable manner to circumvent phosphorus deficiency. This study aims to isolate and identify Phosphate solubilizing bacteria from the agricultural soils of Modoji, Batagarawa, and Umaru Musa Yar'adua University Katsina. The rhizosphere soil samples were taken from 4 distinct locations and serially diluted, and the pour plate method was employed. Gram reaction and subsequent biochemical tests for the isolates were conducted. Rhizospheric soil bacterial isolates were isolated and screened for phosphate solubilization using the National Botanical Research Institute’s phosphate growth medium (NBRIP) and Pikovskaya (PVK) medium. Results showed that total rhizospheric bacterial count ranged from (6.84x10⁷ CFU/g - 12.20x10⁷CFU/g). All twelve (12) isolates were found to be gram-negative: Pseudomonas sp. (91.7%) and Bacillus sp. (8.3%) and were observed to be positive for starch and gelatin hydrolysis test. The diameters of the phosphate solubilization clearance zones ranged from 14.5 ± 0.5 – 27.0 mm. It was concluded that these isolates can be used as plant growth-promoting agents and as biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture.

This study addresses the critical skills gap between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems and industry needs by proposing a conceptual framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in TVET. Despite TVET's potential to enhance employability, many systems—particularly in developing economies—struggle with outdated curricula, inadequate infrastructure, and weak industry linkages. Through a mixed-methods approach combining literature review, case studies (e.g., Malaysia’s Penang Skills Development Centre and Bangladesh’s SEIP program), and stakeholder interviews, the study identifies key mechanisms for effective industry–academia collaboration: joint curriculum design, shared infrastructure, faculty exchanges, and standardized apprenticeships. Findings reveal that institutionalized PPPs significantly improve graduate employability (e.g., SEIP’s 70% placement rate) but face challenges like cultural mismatches and funding asymmetries. The proposed framework integrates governance, resource-sharing, and monitoring components to align TVET with labor market demands. Recommendations include policy incentives for private-sector engagement, phased pilot testing, and robust M&amp;E systems. This research contributes a scalable model for bridging the skills gap while emphasizing contextual adaptation for low- and middle-income settings.