https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/290 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:22:39 GMT 2026-06-29T05:22:39Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7125 Title: The new heavy-tailed Weibull exponentiated half logistic-G family of distributions: Properties, actuarial measures and inference Authors: Nkomo, Wilbert; Broderick Oluyede; Thayaone Moakofi; Chipepa, Fastel; Charumbira, Welington Fredrick Abstract: Accurate statistical modeling of complex real-world data, characterized by heavy tails, skewness, and non-monotonic hazard rates, presents a significant challenge that often exceeds the capabilities of traditional distributions. To address this, we introduce the Heavy-Tailed Weibull Exponentiated Half Logistic-G (HT-W-EHL-G) family of distributions, a novel flexible framework that synthesizes extreme-value robustness with versatile hazard rate shapes. This paper derives the fundamental statistical properties of the proposed family and establishes six estimation methods, whose efficiency is verified via Monte Carlo simulation. The model's practical utility is demonstrated by its robustness to censored data, a critical requirement in survival and reliability analysis, and its direct applicability for computing key actuarial risk measures, including Value at Risk (VaR) and Tail Value at Risk (TVaR). Extensive empirical analyses across diverse domains confirm the model's efficacy and statistically significant superiority in goodness-of-fit over established benchmarks. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7125 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Nkomo, Wilbert Broderick Oluyede Thayaone Moakofi Chipepa, Fastel Charumbira, Welington Fredrick https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7019 Title: Carbon dot–MOF composites for cancer biomarker detection: an emerging research frontier Authors: Adedibu C. Tella; Anthony O. Oyediran; Adetola C. Oladipo; Deborah Josiah; Oluwasegun A. Osatuyi; Tolulope M. Eluyera; Victor U. Ugwuanyi; Hadley S. Clayton; Margaret D. Olawale; Mehlana, Gift; Oluwatobi S. Oluwafemi Abstract: Cancer is a deadly disease that has become a major global concern. Early detection of cancer biomarkers is crucial to significantly reduce the impact and enable the prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer. The integration of carbon dots (CDs) with metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has emerged as a promising approach for developing highly selective and sensitive sensors for cancer biomarker detection. CD@MOF composites exhibit remarkable properties due to the synergy between the exceptional optical characteristics of CDs and the unique surface features of MOFs. With the improved properties, such as high surface area, tunable porosity, excellent photoluminescence, and biocompatibility, that these composites possess, they serve as ideal candidates for cancer biomarker sensing. This review dissects the chemistry of CDs and MOFs, and explores recent advancements in CD@MOF-based strategies in the detection of several cancer biomarkers, highlighting their potential as ultrasensitive probes for clinical applications. It also delineates the challenges in the development and future directions in the application of CD@MOF composites as sensors for cancer biomarkers. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7019 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Adedibu C. Tella Anthony O. Oyediran Adetola C. Oladipo Deborah Josiah Oluwasegun A. Osatuyi Tolulope M. Eluyera Victor U. Ugwuanyi Hadley S. Clayton Margaret D. Olawale Mehlana, Gift Oluwatobi S. Oluwafemi https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7018 Title: Synthesis and characterization of lanthanide MOFs based on 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate linkers Authors: Gumbo, Maureen; Mehlana, Gift Abstract: Two new metal-organic frameworks based on 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate and lanthanide (Ln) metal ions were prepared under solvothermal conditions, using HCl as a modulator. JMS-8 and JMS-9 MOFs ([Ln(bpdc)3(dmf)(H2O)3·5dmf·1.5H2O]n) crystallised in a triclinic system with space group P1. The MOFs have rod SBUs that grow along the b-axis. The linkers connect the SBUs along the a-axis and c-axis giving a 3D network structure. The packing diagrams show large pores as viewed on the a-axis and smaller pores which can be viewed on the c-axis. The MOFs exhibit good thermal and chemical stability. Gas sorption studies revealed low surface areas and poor CO2 adsorption capacity. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7018 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Gumbo, Maureen Mehlana, Gift https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7017 Title: Recyclable Brønsted-Lewis acidic ionic liquids enable high-yield biomass valorization to platform chemicals in aqueous biphasic systems Authors: Anyomih, Winifred D.; Darkwa, James; Moshapo, Paseka T.; Mehlana, Gift; Banothile C.E. Makhubela Abstract: Multiple product formation in biorefineries maximizes biomass valorization, resource efficiency, process integration, and flexibility in adapting to fuels, chemicals, and materials demand. We report a Brønsted acidic (BAIL) and Brønsted-Lewis acidic ionic liquids (BLAILs) that promote tandem biphasic extraction-conversion-separation of levulinic acid (LA), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural (FFR) from (hemi)cellulose in corn cobs and giant cane biomass. Reacting 1-benzyl-1H-imidazole and 1,4-butane sultone, afforded 1-benzyl-3-(4-sulfonatobutyl)imidazolium (zwitterion 1). This was followed by protonation of zwitterion 1, leading to 1-benzyl-3-(4-sulfobutyl)-1H-imidazole-3-ium (BAIL 2), which was treated, separately, with FeCl3, ZnCl2, SnCl2, and NiCl2 to give BLAILs (3a-d) with larger anions (FeCl4−, ZnCl3−, SnCl3−, and NiCl3−). These IL catalysts mediated raw biomass conversion via extraction-hydrolysis-dehydration and separation of FFR, LA and HMF. Under optimized conditions, BAIL (2) achieved 91 % FFR yield, while the BLAIL, incorporating FeCl4−, yielded 95 % FFR. The sequence of the BLAILs’ catalytic activity, which corresponded to their Lewis acidities, was FeCl4− > SnCl3− > ZnCl3− > NiCl3. Post-reaction solid residues characterized using SEM, PXRD, and FT-IR, revealed significant structural changes in biomass, including increased crystallinity, attributed to type I microcrystalline cellulose. This work establishes an efficient, high-yielding, and selective method for converting and separating FFR, HMF, LA, and pure microcrystalline cellulose from biomass using recyclable, earth-abundant metal-based ILs. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7017 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Anyomih, Winifred D. Darkwa, James Moshapo, Paseka T. Mehlana, Gift Banothile C.E. Makhubela