Polymer blends offer corrosion resistance, lightweight properties, and toughness, which are vital for fuel economy in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Rice husks and kenaf fiber enhance mechanical and thermal properties, offering cost-effective and eco-friendly reinforcement options. This study aims to incorporate natural fibers such as kenaf and rice husks into a blend of High-Density Polyethylene Blow (HDPEb) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) to fabricate a hybrid composite with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties suitable for automotive applications such as car bumpers. Compression moulding was used for the composite fabrication, while Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and mechanical and thermal properties of the hybrid composite were determined. SEM analysis elucidates the improved dispersion and interfacial adhesion between the rice husk-kenaf fiber (RK) particles and the polymer matrix. Notably, 30% RH/KENAF hybrid composite exhibits commendable mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 350.19 MPa, elongation at break of 9.92%, impact strength of 0.228 J/m2, average hardness of 64.8 Hv, flexural strength of 70.43 MPa, flexural modulus of 2,838.86 MPa, and an initial decomposition temperature of 693.50 °C, with a final maximum rate of decomposition reaching 800 °C. The results of this work extend to diverse applications, particularly in the automotive industry, where enhanced materials are sought for applications such as replacement parts and car bumpers.

The study investigated the presence of heavy metals, including cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, and iron, drinking water, hot water singed goat meat (AS) and scrap car tire singed goat meat (AU) in Kakuri abattoir of Kaduna Metropolis. Cadmium was not detected in all the samples tested. Copper concentrations were 0.016 mg/kg in AS and 0.013 mg/kg in AU, indicating a 23% decrease. Lead was not detected in AS and 0.011 mg/kg in AU, with a substantial percentage increase. Zinc concentrations were 0.110 mg/kg in AS and 0.969 mg/kg in AU, displaying a significant 780.91% increase. Iron concentrations were 0.816 mg/kg in AS and 2.343 mg/kg in AU, showing a notable 187.25% increase. Although all concentrations remained below under the ECR RML= European Commission Regulation (2006) Recommended maximum limit (RML) for meat samples and WHO 2011 for Drinking Water, AU exceeded the limit for iron by 0.343 mg/kg. The elemental composition within car tires follows a distinct order: Zinc (Zn) > Copper (Cu) > Lead (Pb) > Cadmium (Cd), which is consistent with the concentration of these metals in the study. This research underscores the importance of employing appropriate techniques to balance regulatory compliance and industrial viability, ensuring the sustainable utilization of hides and skins while minimizing environmental and health risks.

Plastics have become indispensable in the automotive industry, and the pursuit of innovative materials is crucial for advancing automobile design. Hybrid composites, characterized by a synergistic combination of mechanical properties and environmental considerations, offer a promising avenue for surpassing the performance of natural single-fibre-reinforced composites. This study focuses on the development of PET-HDPEb-rk hybrid composites through a compression moulding process, utilizing a resin blend comprising Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene Blow (HDPEb), and a blend of rice husk and kenaf fibre (rk) in a 70:30 % ratio. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis elucidates the improved dispersion and interfacial adhesion between the rice husk-kenaf fiber (rk) particles and the polymer matrix. Notably, the composite with a 30 % HDPEb blend exhibits commendable mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 350.19 MPa, elongation at break of 9.92 %, impact strength of 0.228 J/m2, average hardness of 64.8 Hv, flexural strength of 70.43 MPa, flexural modulus of 2838.86 MPa, and an initial decomposition temperature of 693.50 oC, with a final maximum rate of decomposition reaching 800 oC. However, a critical concentration is identified with the 30 % PET/HDPEb blend, showcasing superior properties across various analyses. This concentration demonstrates enhanced mechanical properties attributed to a more uniform dispersion and improved interfacial adhesion, providing valuable insights for optimizing filler dispersion and interaction with the matrix. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of PET-HDPEb-rk hybrid composites, emphasizing the significance of tailored material design for achieving improved mechanical and thermal performance. The results of this work extend to diverse applications, particularly in the automotive industry, where enhanced materials are sought for applications such as replacement parts and car bumpers. The presented insights guide future endeavours in designing hybrid composites with superior mechanical and thermal characteristics, paving the way for sustainable and high-performance materials in automotive engineering.

This research provides valuable insights into using raw sugarcane bagasse (SB) as an adsorbent for dye removal from wastewater. Various activation and modification methods for SB were explored, including physical, chemical, and biological treatments, as well as composite formation and grafting. The study examined the effects of different optimization conditions on the adsorption process, such as adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, pH, and contact time. Key findings include an equilibrium contact time of 30 minutes for methylene blue dye, resulting in an 86% removal rate. The optimal pH for dye removal was identified as pH 6, achieving an 84% removal rate. The study also found that the optimum dye concentration for removal was 10 ppm, with a 70% removal rate, and the optimal adsorbent dosage was 0.4g, resulting in an 81% removal rate. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of raw sugarcane bagasse in adsorbing methylene blue dye under specific conditions, highlighting its potential as a low-cost and efficient adsorbent for wastewater treatment.

Factors such as Mutation, Gene transfer, Inappropriate use and Diagnostics, and prescription of antibiotics to persistent patient which are yet undiagnosed has significantly led to the emergence of drug resistance in bacteria, which is now hampering our ability in treat infections, and with the decline in development of new antibiotics, scientist and research keep trying to develop/proposed some synergistic combinations of antibiotic with medicinal plant extracts in an effort to boost their antimicrobial activities against drug resistant bacteria. This work aim to develop a cocktail regimen which will be highly susceptible to confirmed drug resistant clinical isolate of Salmonella spp using Tetracycline, Co-trimoxazole, Aspirin, Psidium guajava and Syzygium aromaticum extract alongside minimizing toxicity potential. Twenty four (24) different combinations were made from 10 g/mL of Co-trimoxazole, Tetracycline and Aspirin each with each clove extract and separately again with guava extract, Eighteen (18) out of the 24 were combined in three different stages (6 each) using concentrated Tetraoxosulphate(vi)acid (H2SO4) and 0.1Molar sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 31 antimicrobial disks were prepared and tested on Salmonella spp. The antimicrobial susceptibility test reveals that Scl, a stage 1 combination of Co-trimoxaazole with clove extract, Ac2, a stage 2 combination of Aspirin and clove extract, Ag2, a stage 2 combination of Aspirin and guava leave extract were all susceptible to the confirmed resistant isolate of Salmonella spp. Ag2 had the best zone of inhibition better than Ciprofloxacin inhibition zone at 20 g/mL. Aspirin was the best precursor drug which favourably combines with both clove and guava extract to give a desired cocktail regimen with potential antimicrobial characteristics, hence, the need to identify the compounds obtained in this combinations, isolates, and purify their active principles, and subjected to other pharmacological test to ascertain if they can be used to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria and other pathogenic organisms.

This study focuses on measuring carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in the air at selected traffic junctions and industrial areas in Kaduna metropolis using a portable digital gas detector. The weekly mean CO concentrations for morning and evening periods in three industrial areas were found to exceed the Nigeria Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) set limits of 10ppm and 9ppm, respectively. Specifically, concentrations at Nigerian Brewery Environs were 56% higher than the WHO limit, while those at Refinery Junction Environs and Nigerian Bottling Company Environs were 36% and 22% higher, respectively. This indicates significant exposure of individuals in these environments to this harmful gas on a daily basis. High levels of CO are known to adversely affect the central nervous system (CNS) and can lead to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, cognitive difficulties, and lack of concentration. Additionally, ambient exposure during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal growth, leading to low birth weight and other neonatal abnormalities. CO also reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the body's organs and tissues, including the heart and brain.