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SOLVABILITY OF RESONANT FRACTIONAL ORDER BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS WITH TWO-DIMENSIONAL KERNEL ON THE HALF-LINE
Get PDFThis research derives conditions for existence of solutions for resonant fractional order boundary value problems with multi-point and integral boundary conditions when the dimension of the kernel of the differential operator equals two on the half-line. Two classes of fractional order boundary value problems were investigated. The first class included two problems with linear differential operator of Riemann-Liouville type. Existence results were established by using Mawhin’s coincidence degree theory. The fractional order differential equations under consideration were transformed to abstract equation Lx(t) = Nx(t). The corresponding homogeneous equations were solved to establish conditions critical for resonance. For the first class of problems, it was shown that L is a Fredholm map of index zero and N is L−compact. The existence lemmas and theorem were stated and proved to establish that solutions exist for the two problems. The second class contained two p-Laplacian fractional order boundary value problems with nonlinear differential operator. Riemann-Liouville and Caputo type of fractional derivatives were involved. The extension of coincidence degree theory by Ge and Ren was applied to establish existence of solutions for the two problems. Conditions for resonance were derived by solving the corresponding homogeneous fractional p-Laplacian BVPs. The BVPs were transformed to abstract equations Mx(t) = Nλx(t), λ ∈ [0,1]. It was shown that M is a quasi-linear operator and Nλ is M−compact. The results obtained generalize and complement existing results in the literature, which are applicable in the sciences, engineering, finance and business. Examples were provided to substantiate the results obtaine
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR: A REVIEW OF ONLINE LEARNING AND GAMIFICATION STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
Get PDFThis paper delves into the dynamic realms of online learning and gamification, pivotal innovations
within the education sector, and aims to foster sustainability practices and improve student
engagement and learning outcomes. It embarks on a comprehensive journey through the literature,
meticulously examining the definitions, merits, obstacles, and exemplars of these transformative
approaches. Online learning, encompassing the digital delivery of educational content via diverse
platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and learning management systems, has emerged as a prime
player in reshaping pedagogical landscapes. Simultaneously, gamification, hinging on the strategic
infusion of game elements such as points, badges, leaderboards, and feedback into educational
contexts, emerges as a potent motivator and engagement catalyst. However, this paper also casts a
discerning eye on the hurdles and constraints that accompany adopting these methodologies. By
synthesizing the collective wisdom of prior research, this paper unveils the novel possibilities and
improvements that online learning and gamification bring to education, elucidating their role in
advancing sustainability goals and enhancing the educational experience. The synthesis of existing
knowledge leads to the formulation of valuable recommendations tailored to educators and
researchers aspiring to integrate online learning and gamification strategies into their pedagogical
toolbox, invigorating learning environments and propelling education toward a more sustainable and
engaging future
Determination of cross-sectional void fraction in a two-phase water flow through a PVC pipe
Get PDFGamma ray transmission method for void faction measurement studies is in rare use
in Nigeria, especially in industries and research.The study used this method to determine the
cross-sectional void fraction of two-phase water flow through a Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
pipechannel.The gamma-ray counts transmitted through the water pipe were recorded and used
to calculate the void fraction using a semi-empirical approach. Void ratio values varying from
0.171 – 0.036 were obtained for water flow rates ranging between 0.5gal/min - 4.0gal/min at
estimated constant air flow rate. Conclusively, the experimental results compared well with
Chisholm theoretical model predictions of void ratio applicable to horizontal flow.The use of
two or more theoretical model predictions is recommended for further comparative study with
experimental process. Also, more use of gamma ray transmission method should be
encouraged
Health, Technology And Built Environment Nexus: A Systematic Literature Review
Get PDFResearch into health, particularly social and psychological health, is crucial. Ultimately,
an in-depth understanding of social and psychological health will more than promote well-being.
Technology research is indispensable, particularly concerning health and the built environment,
given the need to create holistic and supportive frameworks for well-being. Moreover, because
literature reviews establish the foundation for academic inquiries, they provide valuable overviews
for foresight into grey research areas, particularly multi-disciplinary research like health technology
and the built environment. Hence, this study aims to discover the existing themes on health,
technology, and built-environment nexus subjects while revealing the grey areas and suggesting
proactive areas for future research. The objectives drove this aim to: 1. investigate the implications
of technology for the social and psychological dimensions of health; 2. uncover the likelihood of a
nexus between health, technology, and the built environment; and 3. highlight new research
perspectives for the concluding seven years of the SDGs (2024–2030). The review results highlighted
ten themes around which a nexus exists between health, technology, and the built environment;
they also pointed out new research perspectives for the next seven years (up to 2023)
A review of sustainable housing preferences and affordability
Get PDFAbstract. The review examined the potential connections between sustainable housing, and
sustainable affordability of such housing while meeting the housing preferences of various
households. It is widely known that many lower-income countries are facing a housing crisis,
and it is crucial to address this issue by providing affordable housing that meets individual needs
while also promoting environmentally friendly living. This review paper Is centered on the
research question: How can sustainable housing be made more affordable and accessible to all
households while meeting their housing preferences? A qualitative study of 66 publications from
2019 to September 2023 found that sustainable housing offers ecological and energy-efficient
benefits, but there are barriers to scaling up these models, including economic, cultural, and legal
challenges. Housing preferences are influenced by factors such as cost, location, and amenities,
with affordability being a significant concern. While environmental and economic sustainability
can positively impact housing prices in turn affect the affordability of such housing, the initial
investment costs can be challenging for lower-middle-income households. The review further
established that Sustainable housing, housing preference, and affordability are broad topics that
have been explored by many researchers. However, there are still some research gaps that need
to be addressed. There is a significant gap in how sustainable housing can be made affordable to
all households while meeting their housing preference hence the need to explore the intersection
between sustainable housing, housing preference, and affordability by carrying out empirical
research to identify ways in which sustainable housing can be designed and built to meet the
needs and preferences of low-income households while remaining affordable
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Nanoparticles
Get PDFDue to their distinctive physicochemical characteristics, nanoparticles have
drawn significant attention in a number of sectors and biomedical applications.
However, worries about their potential negative impact on human health have
been raised due to their growing use. This in-depth analysis observes the
complex association between nanoparticles, oxidative stress, and
inflammation, illuminating the underlying mechanisms and their ramifications.
Additionally, it describes the sorts and origins of nanoparticles, highlighting
their rising prevalence in commonplace goods and settings. The methods by
which nanoparticles cause oxidative stress are then explored, illuminating the
creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their harmful impact on cellular
materials such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The review also
examines how nanoparticles contribute to inflammation by triggering proinflammatory
signaling pathways and inducing cytokine responses. It also
clarifies the functions of antioxidant enzymes in preventing the formation of
free radicals generated by nanoparticles
Human Health Implications of Environmental Nanoparticles
Get PDFThe scientific world is beginning to give deeper cursory attention to
nanoparticles because of their significant influence on the health of humans,
especially in recent times. This chapter reports the nanoparticle interaction
within the environment and also navigates the pathways through which
humans get exposed. It strongly expresses the significant potential and
influence of nanoparticles on human health. Further thought and basic
multidisciplinary research work involving materials scientists, medical
professionals, toxicologists, and environmental engineers are required to
address the hazardous health effects and safety concerns of NPs. Chemical
toxicity was taken into consideration throughout the invention and
standardization of almost all toxicity assessment techniques. However, NPs
have a number of distinctive physicochemical characteristics that may
interfere with or present difficulties for conventional toxicity studies. In
conclusion, unless the ambiguities surrounding destiny, transport, and toxicity
are resolved, uses of NPs that include their direct introduction to the
environment look to be problematic. Key findings generated from this chapter
will be instrumental for further research or inquiry into issues linked with
nanoparticles and their impact on human health within the context of the
natural environment
Mechanism of Nanoparticle Toxicity
Get PDFNanoparticles (NPs), materials less than 100 nm in size, are being utilised in
diverse biomedical, commercial, and industrial applications due to their unique
physicochemical properties. However, the same properties that make
nanoparticles so appealing for novel uses also raise concerns regarding their
potential health and environmental impacts. A significant body of in
vitro and in vivo research over the past two decades has aimed to elucidate
the mechanisms by which nanoparticles induce adverse effects. Nanoparticle
toxicity is mediated through a multifaceted process encompassing their
interactions with biological components at the molecular, cellular, and tissue
levels. Oxidative stress, inflammation, physical disruption of cell membranes,
and alteration of cell signalling pathways have been identified as key events
induced by nanoparticles in organisms. Nanoparticles can penetrate into cells
and stimulate excessive reactive oxygen species formation which damages
lipids, proteins, and DNA. They trigger inflammatory responses through
activation of signalling cascades and molecular mediators. Cationic
nanoparticles can directly interact with and damage cell membranes.
Biodistribution and accumulation of nanoparticles in organs over time can lead
to chronic inflammation. Soluble nanoparticle components like metal ions also
drive toxicity through oxidative damage, protein binding, enzyme inhibition,
and other mechanisms. Other factors influencing nanoparticle toxicity include
surface adsorption of proteins, dissolution, aggregation state, and ability to
cross tissue barriers. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of
nanoparticle toxicity is critical for appropriate safety assessment and design of
nanomaterial
Prospects and Challenges of Nanochitosan Application in Aquaculture
Get PDFThe fishery and aquaculture industries are dealing with more issues pertaining
to sustainability, disease control, and environmental impact as the demand for
seafood around the world rises. The unique properties and versatility of
nanochitosan have made it a promising solution to these problems. The
potential uses and difficulties of nanochitosan in fisheries and aquaculture
systems are examined in this chapter. The prospects of nanochitosan in these
industries are multifaceted. Through targeted drug delivery, improved disease
management, and optimized feed efficiency, they present opportunities for
sustainable aquaculture practices. Nanochitosan also holds promise in
environmental remediation, customized aquaculture solutions, and ecofriendly
pesticide applications. However, several challenges must be
addressed to fully realize the potential of nanochitosan in fishery and
aquaculture. Regulatory approval and safety assessments are essential to
ensure the responsible use of these nanoparticles. Cost-effectiveness and
scalability of production methods must be achieved to meet industry
demands. Concerns about nanoparticle accumulation in aquatic organisms
and long-term ecological impacts necessitate more comprehensive research
In silico studies of benzimidazole derivatives as sustainable inhibitors against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Get PDFAntimicrobial resistance is becoming more rampant in our world today, and different measures
are being taken to combat this challenge. Benzimidazoles are classified as heterocyclic compounds with
notable pharmacological properties. As a result, benzimidazole has been combined with other compounds
that have remarkable actions to create a more potent molecule. Exploring these substances to combat
antibacterial resistance would therefore aid in achieving good health and wellbeing and promote sustainable
development. Predicting the effectiveness of the compounds before manufacturing and clinical testing has
made drug design easy. This study employs in silico methods like molecular docking to investigate alternate
antibacterial agents from a library of benzimidazole derivatives. A library of compounds with a
benzimidazole template was screened against the three-dimensional (3D) structure of peptidoglycan
transpeptidase (PPB2A) of Staphylococcus aureus. Two binding sites were identified in the protein: the
main site and the allosteric site. Molecular docking was done on the main and allosteric sites to obtain free
binding energy ranging from -7.3 to -5.8 and -4.9 to -4.5 kcal/mol, respectively. The predictive Absorption,
Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) experiments were done on the compounds to
ascertain their safety. The results were compared to those of known antibiotics, and the compounds
performed effectively. The benzimidazole derivative can be adopted as a prospective antibacterial agent
with an alternative pathway for combating resistance issues and enhancing the quality of health and wellbeing
globally