This paper presents the results of the reliability-based design of pad foundation based on the results of the geotechnical investigation of the soil sample collected at 1m to 5m depth in Abuloma Community, Rivers State. Three boreholes, namely BH1, BH2 and BH3 were excavated utilizing a manual auger to depths of 1m, 2m, 3m, 4m, and 5m respectively. Laboratory investigations were conducted on the soil samples in the laboratory to determine the geotechnical properties of the soil such as soil cohesion, Poisson’s ratio, unit weight, angle of internal friction, and modulus of elasticity of the soil respectively. The bearing capacity of the soil at each selected location was obtained using Terzaghi’s bearing capacity formula. The results of the laboratory investigations on the soil properties such as cohesion, Poisson’s ratio, specific weight, internal friction angle, and elasticity modulus of the soil were used to conduct the reliability assessment and reliability-based design of the pad foundation at Abuloma using the method of response surface. The descriptive statistics of the geotechnical parameters were obtained utilizing a statistical tool called Minitab 17.0. The Full Factorial method of design of Experimental Design was used to obtain the design points. The types of probability distribution of the basic random variables were established using Anderson Darling Statistics. The performance functions were developed were developed considering bearing capacity and immediate settlement failure of the pad foundation at the four selected locations. The First Order Reliability technique implemented in MATLAB was used in the reliability estimates. The findings revealed that the Abuloma soil is safe only for a foundation pressure of 50KPa and for foundation pressures of 50KPa, 100KPa and 150KPa respectively when considering settlement criterion. The reliability indices generally decreased with increase in values of variation coefficient of soil cohesion, internal friction angle and soil density respectively. The MATLAB code developed is very easy for application geotechnical and coastal applications.

Fictionalisation of women’s oppression shows writers’ commitment at different times to keep readers abreast with trending issues which are seemingly despicable to the society. This paper draws attention away from representations on the overburdened issue of inter-gender oppression; of men and women, to intra-gender oppression among women. It aims to examine the latter, with particular focus on how it is enabled in a relationship between adults and children. It considers this topic as an important literary theme that is yet to be given significant scholarship attention. Its significance rests on the fresh perspectives it offers and helps to expand on the overall issue of oppression that has continued to plague the society. It uses Ted Elemeforo’s Child of Destiny to provide credible evidence. The qualitative analysis procedure is employed, with the support of the intersectionality theory relating to feminism, and Marxism, to explain how oppression thrives in the society despite consistent opposition. The findings affirm that women oppress and exploit members of their sex. This happens mostly in unequal social relations like, between adults and underprivileged children as demonstrated in the meeting between the text’s female characters: Madam Lizzy and Ebika. It shows that this practice is aided by salient social factors like class, age, sex among others, which inevitably stand in the way of eradicating oppression. The paper, thus, concludes that oppression has to be seen as a complex phenomenon requiring multifaced approach to be eliminated.

One Onion - Many Cuts. Just like an onion can be cut into rings, slices, cubes, or strips, learning can be designed in different ways to suit the needs of all learners. This is more scientific because one size cannot be suitable for all i.e., learning through individualized process and it gives recognition of individuality among the learners. Individualized instructional strategies have emerged as an emerging and necessary pedagogical response to learner in contemporary classrooms. However, its theoretical articulation often remains complex or abstract for practitioners. This paper introduces ‘The Onion Pedagogy’ as a metaphorically grounded yet epistemologically structured framework to conceptualize differentiated instruction based on the need and aspirations of the learner. Just as an onion can be cut into rings, slices, cubes, or strips while retaining its essential core, learning objectives remain constant while instructional strategies vary according to learner needs. The ‘core’ represents epistemic understanding; the ‘layers’ characterize gradations of conceptual depth; and the ‘cuts’ represent individualized pedagogical strategies. Drawing from modern psychological theories such as Constructivism, Social constructivism, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Personalized learning theory, those framework and model offer a structured, holistic and inclusive approach to child-centric pedagogy. The teachers and educators are seen as a ‘seasoned chef’ who adopt pedagogical method based on need of the children. The paper highlights the theoretical framework, classroom practices and implications for teacher education, and understand the alignment with India’s National Education Policy (2020). The Onion Pedagogy provides an inclusive methodological framework that not only promotes equity and equality but also focus on the learner’s diversity.

English for General Academic Purpose (EGAP) is crucial for cultivating high-quality innovative talents, focusing on developing their practical competence in academic English for communication, research and professional practice. With the in-depth integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into education, traditional EGAP teaching faces challenges like insufficient interaction and inefficient personalized guidance. Thus, human-computer collaborative teaching becomes an inevitable direction for EGAP reform. Based on previous research deficiencies and the latest AIGC development, this study optimizes the “one-core, three-orders and seven-synergies” model (grounded in PBL and supported by AIGC), integrating strengths of teachers, AI systems and students to expand EGAP teaching boundaries. Supplemented with new empirical data and cases, it verifies the upgraded model’s effectiveness, providing targeted theoretical and practical support for AI-EGAP integration and promoting EGAP teaching quality.

Background: Clear aligner therapy (CAT) offers aesthetic and hygienic advantages over traditional fixed orthodontic appliances. However, its uptake is influenced by patients' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions (KAP) and acceptance of the treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP towards CAT among patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment and to identify demographic and socioeconomic factors influencing these attitudes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a private hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, involving all consenting follow-up orthodontic patients undergoing fixed appliance orthodontic therapy. A validated self-administered questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics and KAP toward CAT. Data were analysed using SPSS v26 and R software, employing chi-square and logistic regression. Results: Among 232 participants, only 50% had heard of CAT, and just 27.6% demonstrated good knowledge. About 52.2% showed a positive attitude, and 50.9% had a favourable perception. Significant associations were found between attitude and age (p = 0.022), education (p = 0.030), ethnicity (p = 0.035), and income (p = 0.013). Income uncertainty was a negative predictor of a favourable attitude (OR = 0.42, p = 0.025). Conclusion: Knowledge of CAT among patients treated with fixed appliances is limited, despite moderate awareness and positive attitudes. Educational and economic factors significantly influence acceptance. Improved education and affordability could enhance uptake of aligner therapy.

This study examines a comparative rhetorical analysis of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s 2015 and 2023 open letters. It explores how he strategically employs Aristotelian appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos to influence political discourse in Nigeria. Through a qualitative analysis of both texts, the research reveals a clear evolution in Obasanjo’s rhetorical approach, shaped by the country’s shifting political and socio-economic landscape. The 2015 letter adopts a confrontational tone anchored in authoritative ethos and fear-based pathos, reflecting national instability and leadership dissatisfaction, while, by contrast, the 2023 letter embodies a more inclusive and hopeful rhetoric, emphasizing collective responsibility and logical argumentation to engage an increasingly participatory electorate. The study demonstrates how political communication adapts to contextual realities and public expectations. It contributes to the growing body of African rhetorical scholarship by highlighting the dynamic interplay between credibility, emotion, and logic in shaping persuasive political messages. The findings suggest that rhetorical evolution is not merely stylistic but a strategic response to democratic maturation and audience awareness.

Managerial pricing decisions are central to organizational profitability but are often compromised by systematic cognitive biases. This study investigates how anchoring, loss aversion, and overconfidence distort managerial pricing judgments and identifies the psychological mechanisms through which these effects occur. The study pursues four objectives: first, to quantify the individual effects of anchoring, loss aversion, and overconfidence on pricing accuracy; second, to examine their joint and interactive influence on pricing distortions; third, to develop and empirically test a bias-corrected managerial pricing framework integrating behavioral factors; and fourth, to generate robust empirical evidence that advances the fragmented behavioral pricing literature and informs debiased pricing practices. Using a between-subjects experimental design, 240 experienced managers were randomly assigned to anchoring, loss-aversion, overconfidence, or control conditions and completed a realistic pricing simulation. Pricing error was measured as deviation from optimal benchmarks, alongside assessments of cognitive distortion and confidence bias. Results show that all three biases significantly increased pricing errors, with anchoring and loss aversion exerting the strongest direct effects. Mediation and structural equation modeling reveal that cognitive distortion is the primary pathway through which bias-inducing conditions translate into pricing errors, while confidence bias plays a secondary but reinforcing role, particularly under overconfidence. When multiple biases co-occur, their effects compound, producing larger deviations from optimal prices. The findings make a theoretical contribution by providing an integrated, pricing-specific account of multiple managerial biases and empirically validating a dual-mediation framework linking bias, cognition, and pricing outcomes. Practically, the results highlight the value of structured decision protocols, calibration training, and decision-support systems as effective interventions for improving pricing accuracy and managerial decision quality.

Laser dentistry has emerged as a significant advancement in modern dental practice, offering a minimally invasive alternative to conventional instruments such as scalpels and rotary devices. Its growing popularity is driven by improved precision, enhanced patient comfort, reduced postoperative complications, and expanding clinical applications across multiple dental specialties. This narrative review aims to explore the expanding role of lasers in dentistry, focusing on their fundamental principles, clinical applications, advantages, limitations, and future directions. The literature consistently highlights benefits such as reduced bleeding, decreased pain, faster healing, and improved patient acceptance. However, challenges including high cost, operator dependency, learning curve, and variability in clinical evidence continue to limit universal adoption. Overall, laser dentistry represents a transformative tool in contemporary dental care, with strong potential for further integration into routine practice as technology advances and evidence continues to grow.

Endodontic pharmacology constitutes a fundamental pillar in modern dental practice, integrating pharmacological principles with clinical endodontics to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The primary objectives include pain control, elimination of microbial infection, and facilitation of periapical healing. Advances in pharmacology, microbiology, and biomaterials have significantly improved treatment success; however, challenges such as antibiotic resistance, opioid misuse, and management of medically compromised patients demand a rational and evidence-based approach. This review comprehensively discusses pharmacological agents used in endodontics, their mechanisms, clinical applications, and recent trends, while emphasizing safe prescribing practices and patient-centered care.[1]

The present study examined the impact of treadmill and resistance training packages on selected motor fitness components and skill performance variables among hockey players. A pre-test and post-test randomized group design was employed. Forty-five male hockey players (aged group 19–25 years) were selected from affiliated colleges of Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India. They were randomly assigned into three groups: group I Treadmill Training Group (TTG), group II Resistance Training Group (RTG) and group III Control Group (CG), with fifteen participants in each group. The TTG and RTG underwent their respective training interventions on alternate days for twelve weeks, while the control group followed their regular academic routine without additional training. Motor fitness variables such as cardiovascular endurance and agility, along with performance variables including stick control and passing accuracy, were assessed. Statistical analysis was conducted by using paired sample t-tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed significant improvements (p ≤ .05) in all selected motor fitness and performance variables for both experimental groups compared to the control group. The findings indicate that treadmill training and resistance training packages are effective methods for enhancing physical fitness and skill performance among university hockey players.

This study examines the evolution of the center–periphery structure in Japanese intellectual history through the thought of Motoori Norinaga and Yanagita Kunio. It explores how Japan sought self-identity and independence under external cultural and academic pressures. During the Edo period, under the influence of Chinese civilization, Motoori Norinaga reinterpreted the Huayi distinction, emphasizing indigenous tradition and Shinto thought while rejecting China’s absolute centrality and repositioning Japan as a cultural center. In the modern era, facing a Western-dominated academic system, Yanagita Kunio proposed “national folklore studies” to secure the autonomy of Japanese scholarship through a strategy of relative centralization. By comparing their approaches, this study reveals both continuity and transformation in Japan’s center–periphery structure. It argues that despite differences in historical context and disciplinary focus, both thinkers retained the hierarchical logic of the center–periphery framework while redefining Japan’s position within it.

The lack of process standardization and formal management tools in animal feed plants can lead to operational variability, negatively affecting production efficiency and final product quality. This study aims to optimize the performance of the operational system of an animal feed plant through the implementation of process standardization, quality assurance, and lean manufacturing tools. The study was conducted under an applied approach using a case study at the “El Aire” animal feed plant, located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The methodology was structured in three phases: process standardization through procedure manuals, flowcharts, and Standard Operating Sheets; strengthening of the quality system through technical specifications and a quality control plan; and implementation of the 5S methodology to improve operational environment conditions. The results show a significant improvement in the control of the production system, reflected in an increase in the level of process documentation, improvements in critical product quality parameters, and an increase in the level of order and cleanliness in operational areas, which rose from an average of 16% to 85%. These actions contributed to greater efficiency in operational execution and improved compliance with production schedules. It is concluded that the structured and progressive application of standardization and lean manufacturing tools strengthens operational management in animal feed plants, even in highly automated environments, providing a solid foundation for continuous improvement and the sustainability of the production system.

This study investigates the effects of Cucumis sativus (cucumber) leaf extract on hormonal levels, semen quality, and sperm cell morphology in male Wistar rats. Thirty rats were randomized into three groups: control, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg extract-treated groups, and administered for 28 days. Hormonal assays revealed significant dose-dependent reductions in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels in treated groups (p < 0.05). Semen quality analysis showed a significant decline in semen color, consistency, pH, sperm motility, and live proportion, alongside increased abnormal sperm morphology and non-motile spermatozoa, especially in the 800 mg/kg group. Furthermore, differential sperm abnormalities, including head deformities, twisted tails, and bent mid-pieces, were significantly elevated in treated groups, indicating structural and functional damage to sperm cells. The results suggest that Cucumis sativus leaf extract, at higher doses, impairs male reproductive hormones, semen quality, and sperm morphology, potentially due to oxidative stress or phytochemical-induced toxicity. This aligns with prior studies on phytotoxic effects of plant extracts, where flavonoids, alkaloids, and other bioactive compounds were implicated in reproductive toxicity. However, the exact mechanism underlying these effects remains unclear and warrants further exploration. This study provides a foundation for understanding the reproductive toxicity of Cucumis sativus leaf extract, emphasizing the need for cautious use of herbal preparations containing this plant.

Cocaine (koe kane') is a potent local anesthetic that appears to act by inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels, increasing the threshold for electric excitability of nerve axons and thus decreasing neuroconduction. In the central nervous system, cocaine appears to block both norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake. The aim of this study is to determine the histological effect of crack cocaine on the liver of adult albino wistar rat. A total of forty (40) adult Albino Wistar rats of comparable sizes were used for this study. They were divided into four equal groups (A – D) with ten (10) rats each. Group A served as the control and the rats were given distilled water and feed only. In addition to feed and water, groups B rats were given 0.5ml (100mg) crack cocaine extract and crack cocaine extract, group C rats were given 2ml (200mg) crack cocaine extract, and group D rats were given 5ml (300mg) crack cocaine extract respectively. The drug administration was given daily for 14 days (2 weeks) and the weights of both the test and control animals was monitored before and after administration of crack cocaine extract. The administration of the crack cocaine extracts was given orally. After the administration, the rats were put under light chloroform anaesthesia and the liver were obtained. ANOVA was used to analyze the results of the weight and differences was considered significant at p<0.05 level of confidence. All data was expressed in table as mean ± standard deviation (SD). The results of this study show presence of bridging necrosis and portal fibrosis in the liver histology of test wistar rats administered with crack cocaine at 200 and 300mg when compared with the non-cocaine administered group also a non-significant variation was observed in the body weight of control and test groups across the groups. In conclusion, the use of cocaine can lead to significant and harmful effects on liver histology, resulting from a combination of factors related to the drug's pharmacological actions, metabolism, and physiological responses. These changes stem from cocaine's vasoconstrictive properties, generation of reactive metabolites, direct toxic effects, and interactions with other substances.

Background: Although ESWL is considered safe for upper ureteric stones, the use of JJ stents may influence complication rates and patient morbidity. Objective: To assess the outcome of ESWL for upper ureteric stones with or without Double-J stent. Methods: In this prospective comparative study, 62 patients with upper ureteric stones were randomly allocated into stented (n=31) and non-stented (n=31) groups. Post-procedural complications including ureteric colic, steinstrasse, fever, suprapubic pain, and LUTS were recorded and analyzed. Results: Ureteric colic was significantly lower in the stented group compared to the non-stented group (12.9% vs 35.5%; p<0.05). However, suprapubic pain was significantly higher in the stented group (41.9% vs 16.1%; p<0.05). The incidence of steinstrasse and fever did not differ significantly between groups (p>0.05). Lower urinary tract symptoms were significantly more common in the stented group, including urinary frequency (48.4% vs 9.7%; p<0.01), urgency (54.8% vs 16.1%; p<0.01), and dysuria (61.3% vs 19.4%; p<0.01). Gross haematuria did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: Although JJ stenting reduces ureteric colic after ESWL, it is associated with significantly higher lower urinary tract symptoms and patient discomfort. Routine pre-ESWL stenting is therefore not recommended in uncomplicated upper ureteric stones ≤2 cm.