Federal University of Technology

This book from the 7th FUTA Engineering Conference (22-24 July 2025, Akure, Nigeria) showcases a collection of peer-reviewed papers based on research results. The contributions are dedicated to manufacturing, materials, energy, agriculture, mining, environmental sustainability, civil engineering, infrastructure and engineering management. The overall aim of this edition is to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and promote sustainable solutions for societal and environmental development.

Libraries are at great risk of becoming outdated in the 21st century unless they embrace new technologies to improve information management and service delivery. In recent years, chatbots have arisen in the digital landscape as a further important development of technology, providing libraries, with an emphasis on academic libraries, innovative ways to enhance patrons’ experiences and provide services. This research deeply explores the multi-faceted world of chatbots in the academic library environment. This research continues with a global review of literature focusing on four main points. First, it collects studies and articles relating to technological factors that influence chatbots’ adoption in academic libraries. These factors refer to their integration with existing library systems, the technical expertise demanded to implement their application, as well as compatibility issues with library material and collections. Furthermore, studies relating to user-centric factors are presented. These refer to library patrons’ acceptance and familiarity with chatbots, their preferences for using them as communication channels, as well as the expectations they have regarding response accuracy and time. Finally, this research indicates articles and papers that are associated with social and cultural factors regarding the adoption of these AI-driven technologies. It examines the perception of chatbots as replacements for human interaction, security and privacy concerns, and lastly, cultural attitudes toward these technologies. Consequently, this work pinpoints key findings, highlights their importance, and provides recommendations for future research directions.

Rabbit reproductive and growth characteristics are significantly influenced by various factors including breed, sex, parity, and diet. Understanding these impacts is essential to enhance production efficiency. This study examined the effects of varying inclusion levels of a tiger nut-based diet on reproductive parameters, breed effect, sex effect, and interactions. Three rabbit breeds: Dutch Belted (DUT), New Zealand White (NZW), and Hyla Max were used for this breeding study, involving 60 growing rabbits as parents stock, comprising 48 does and 12 bucks over a period of 52 weeks. The analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in mortality rates at day 7, with Hyla Max experiencing the highest mortality followed by Dutch Belted and NZW. Weight measurements indicated that male rabbits were heavier than females at both day 7 (0.11 ± 0 kg vs. 0.09 ± 0 kg) and day 14 (0.16 ± 0 kg vs. 0.15 ± 0 kg; p < 0.05). Parity significantly impacted weight gain at day 21 and mortality rates at birth and day 7 (p < 0.05). A diet containing 30 g tiger nut inclusion resulted in higher weights at day 14 (0.16 ± 0.00 kg) and day 28 (0.29 ± 0.1 kg), while the 10 g inclusion level achieved the greatest weight gain at day 28 (1.36 ± 1.14 kg; p < 0.05). Additionally, NZW rabbits exhibited the highest individual kit birth weight (0.05 ± 0 kg), while Dutch Belted rabbits had the highest pre-weaning mortality rate (15.97 ± 2.85%; p < 0.05). Noteworthy interactions among breed, sex, parity, and diet were identified. The findings underscore the significant influences of breed, sex, parity, and diet on reproductive and growth traits in rabbits, paving the way for optimized management practices aimed at improving productivity.

Bimetallic and trimetallic layered double hydroxideswith the composition[Ni6‑xZnxAl3(OH)18]­[A­(H2O)6(SO4)2]·6H2O (x from 0 to 6; A = Na+ or K+) were synthesizedby coprecipitation with increased pH and characterized by severalinstrumental techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the prevalenceof basal diffraction peaks with basal distances close to 11 Å,typical of LDHs intercalated with sulfate in double-layer arrangementin the presence of potassium cations, in both cases hydrated. Fourier-transforminfrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed a typical series of bands, attributedto S–O (from sulfate), M–OH (M = metal of the layers),and O–H (from water molecules and hydroxide layers). Scanningelectron microscopy (SEM) images indicated the typical platelet-likemorphology of LDH, with micrometric particles having nanometric thicknesses,while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) indicated the expecteddistribution of metals in the series. Inductively coupled plasma opticalemission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) confirmed the compositions of thematerials, which were close to ideal according to the chemical usedin the syntheses, suggesting the absence of simultaneous precipitationof other materials (especially hydroxides). Thermogravimetric analyses(TGA) and the respective derivative curves (DTG) also confirmed thedecomposition in several steps, attributed to the removal of physiosorbedwater molecules, dehydration of cations/anions, dehydroxylation ofthe layers, and decomposition of the metal sulfates to oxides/spinels.

Introduction The increasing demand for natural spices used for culinary purposes in Nigerian local markets has raised concerns about the potential contamination of these products by harmful microorganisms. This study investigated natural spices used for culinary purposes in Nigeria by assessing vendor practices, bacterial con-tamination, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Methods A cross-sectional design was employed, with a sample of 267 vendors selected from a population of 800 spice sellers via stratified random sampling. Samples of commonly sold natural spices, including cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, rosemary, basil, and others, were collected for microbiological analysis. Standard microbiological techniques were used to isolate and identify the bacteria present, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing via the disc diffusion method. Results The results revealed that common storage practices include open air (40%) and covered containers (32%). Handling was mostly done with bare hands (45%), and only 15% used gloves. While 60% of vendors practice hygiene, only 15% receive training on spice handling. The quality control was performed primarily through visual inspection (50%). The viable count of 1.2 × 10 4 cfu/g, a coliform count of 5.0 × 10 2 cfu/g indicates relatively low contamination and a bacterial count of 3.4 × 10 3 cfu/g suggests a fairly high bacterial presence. Cinnamon, on the other hand, presented the lowest levels of bacterial contamination, with a TVC of 0.1 × 10 4 cfu/g, a coliform count of 1.0 × 10 2 cfu/g and a bacterial count of 1.5 × 10 3 cfu/g, further indicating that cinnamon is less prone to microbial growth. Turmeric had the highest microbial loads, with a TVC of 3.4 × 10 4 cfu/g, a coliform count of 8.0 × 10 2 cfu/g, and a bacterial count of 4.0 × 10 3 cfu/g. The presence of various bacteria, including species of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus , among others, was revealed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that S. aureus exhibited significant resistance to penicillin, whereas E. coli presented resistance to common antibiotics such as ampicillin and tetracycline. Discussion These findings suggest the presence of potential antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in natural spices, indicating the need for improved hygiene practices among spice vendors.

Climate change and human activities have significantly altered vegetation dynamics across ecosystems, with tropical reserves like Olokemeji Forest in Ogun State, Nigeria, experiencing notable impacts. This study aimed to assess the impact of climate change on vegetation dynamics in Olokemeji Forest Reserve, examining historical patterns, present conditions, and forecasting future responses. The study employed Sentinel-2 satellite imagery for 2016, 2020, and 2024 alongside climatic data from NASA POWER Data Access, administrative maps from the Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Surveys, and DGPS ground-truthing data obtained with Tersus Oscar receivers. Data processing and analysis were carried out using ArcGIS 10.x, QGIS 3.28 (with MOLUSCE plugin), SNAP Desktop, Microsoft Excel, and NUWA App for DGPS processing. NDVI, Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) and Land Surface Temperature (LST), indices were derived from Sentinel-2 imagery, while ground-truthing points were used for validation. The relationship between climate data and vegetation indices was analyzed, and the NDVI for 2028 was forecasted using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm within the MOLUSCE plugin in QGIS. Results showed that between 2016 and 2020, NDVI values improved slightly, indicating vegetation recovery, but declined again in 2024, reflecting degradation linked to deforestation, farming, and reduced precipitation. Land cover analysis revealed increasing bare land and declining thick vegetation, while LST patterns showed rising temperatures in disturbed areas and precipitation declined sharply after 2020. The ANN forecast for 2028 predicted NDVI values between 0.125 and 0.40, suggesting stressed vegetation with reduced greenness. Mitigation strategies should focus on afforestation and reforestation, stricter forest conservation policies, community-based management, and sustainable farming practices, while regular monitoring using geospatial tools and predictive modeling is recommended to guide adaptive management and ensure the ecological sustainability of Olokemeji Forest Reserve. Received: 13 January 2026 / Accepted: 28 February 2026 / Published: March 2026

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) is a well-studied bacterial pathogen affecting tomato crops globally, leading to significant yield and economic losses. Typical control measures, including copper-based bactericides, face increasing limitations due to the emergence of resistant strains. In order curb this challenges, In silico analysis were employed to evaluate secondary metabolites from endophytic fungi as potential inhibitors of the HrpR protein, a key regulator of the Type III secretion system in Pst. A total of 100 fungal-derived compounds were screened using molecular docking, ADMET profiling, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Six major hits with strong binding affinities were identified, with Asperthrins A emerging as the most promising lead. Asperthrins A exhibited best pharmacokinetic properties, including low toxicity (LD₅₀ = 3.04), low hERG and DILI. MD simulations confirmed its stable binding and structural compactness within the HrpR active site over a 200 ns trajectory. Compared to other candidates such as Kadhenrischinins F and Diaporthichalasins E, Asperthrins A consistently outperformed in key pharmacological metrics. These findings underscore the value of endophytic fungi as sources of bioactive compounds and demonstrate the power of structure-based drug discovery in identifying environmentally safe, plant-compatible antimicrobial agents. This study provides a foundational step toward developing bio-rational alternatives to synthetic bactericides, supporting sustainable plant health management.