Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) widely grown in Pakistan during winter season. Aphid is one of the biological factors that inhibits seed germination and plant development. Methyl jasmonate is a plant growth regulator known to take part in defense responses against different types of stresses including Aphid attack. The current study was conducted to improve the growth of the wheat by the foliar application of Methyl jasmonate. Two wheat varieties (Shafaq and Gold) were be sown in plastic pots filled with 6 kg soil in each pot. After germination, wheat plants were treated with different Aphids. After three weeks of treatment data about survival percentage, root attributes, shoot attributes and nutrient analysis was be recorded using standard procedure. The experiment was be conducted under a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replicates and results was be deducted after statistical analysis. Different concentrations of methyl jasmonate (100 micromolar and 1mM) were applied to 20 days old wheat plant. Rhopalosiphum padi was allowed to infest the methyl jasmonate treated plants as well as non-treated plants. Control plants were covered with net and no concentration of methyl jasmonate were applied. Aphids were allowed to infest the plant for 48 hours, after that the plant from all treatments were sampled for all physiological studies. Methyl jasmonate treated plants as well as control plants were used for direct aphid population count after every week. Concluded results depicted that plants exposed to different concentrations of methyl jasmonate affected the root and shoot length, plant height which was further improved through MeJA supplementation.

The study investigated the effect of item order on the reliability of mathematics test among secondary school students in Rivers State. One research question and one null hypothesis guided the study. Quasi – experimental research design was used and the study was carried out in nine public senior secondary schools in three local government areas in River State which was drawn using Simple Random Sampling Technique. A sample size of 507 students were drawn from the population of 904 through Stratified Random Sampling Technique and the application of Taro Yemen formula to determine the minimum sample size. The instrument used was Multiple Choice Format Mathematics Performance Test (MCFMPT) arranged in ascending, descending and inconsistent order of difficulty and students’ scores were used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was 0.75 using split-half method of establishing reliability and Spearman Brown prophecy formula for internal consistency of the instrument. Mean and Standard deviation were used to answer research question while t-test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. The results revealed that item order based of ascending, descending and inconsistent order do not have significant effect on the reliability of mathematics test among secondary school students. Based on the findings, it was recommended that all pattern of item order (ascending, descending and inconsistent order of difficulty) should be encouraged among secondary school students as it has no significant effect on reliability coefficient. Students should be motivated to improve their real abilities in mathematics related courses and not judging their underperformance in mathematics based on the arrangement of items.

Costus afer Ker Gawl is an indigenous plant, commonly called a ginger lily, spiral ginger, or bush cane, it has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory activity of C.afer leaf extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Protein denaturation and erythrocyte stabilization assays were used to evaluate in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, and alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition was used to evaluate in vitro anti-diabetic activity. 60 male Wistar rats were used for the two inflammatory models: the 30 rats were randomly assigned into six groups (n=5) for carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models respectively: Group I: normal, group II: control(untreated), group III: 10mg/kg b.w diclofenac sodium (standard), group IV, V and VI were given 50, 100, 250 mg/kg b.w Costus afer ethanol leaf extract (CAELE) in each of the two models. The study showed that in protein denaturation assay, CAELE and Diclofenac had 56.69% and 80.82% respectively at the highest concentration, erythrocyte stabilization had 80.40% CAELE and 94.88% Diclofenac sodium at the highest dose in a dose-dependent manner. Alpha amylase and alpha-glucosidase showed an increase in percentage inhibition activity at 65.44% and 43.72% respectively against acarbose (standard) at 56.01%. However, in the cotton pellet-induced granuloma model, the concentration exhibited high percentage inhibition (77.82%) comparable to the standard drug at 91.28%, and reduction in paw thickness was also observed in the carrageenan model in a dose-dependent manner respectively. This study showed that CAELE at different concentrations showed anti-inflammatory activity in diabetic conditions.

Literary studies encourage students to inculcate reading culture which ultimately produces graduates with creative and critical mind-set that could analyse and interpret all aspects of human life. Considering the importance of this field of knowledge, the National University Commission and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board have made it mandatory for admitting students into Nigerian universities to study BA (Ed) English, BA English, Law, and a host of other related programs at both undergraduate and post graduate studies. This research investigates how social media hinders the academic performance of Literature-in-English students in Kano State. Much attention given to the social media platforms by the students plays a significant influence in taking them relatively far away from their studies, and consequently making them too reluctant towards their academic pursuit which results into a great number of failures. Therefore, this research investigates the influence of social media on the academic performance of Literature-in-English students in Kano State. The study adopts a survey design with questionnaire as data collection instrument. The population of the study is the students of Federal College of Education, Kano; Kano State College of Education and Preliminary Studies, Kano; and Aminuddeen College of Education, Kano. The research analyses its data using descriptive and inferential statistics to present its findings and recommendations.

Introduction: High-risk & severe-risk pregnancies are characterized by increased risks of complications for both the mother and the fetus, which can result from several factors such as maternal age, medical situations, lifestyle habits, and previous pregnancies. These complications are a major concern, mostly in developing countries like Bangladesh, where maternal and infant mortality rates remain high. Maternal complications associated with high-risk and severe-risk pregnancies may include maternal death, severe bleeding, sepsis, and hypertensive disorders, while fetal complications may include preterm delivery, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth. The objective of this study was to investigate the perinatal outcomes of high-risk and severe-risk pregnancies. Methods: This prospective purposive study was carried out on the admitted patients in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from July 2007 to December 2007. Total hundreds of risk groups pregnant women (N=100) were enrolled in the study among them eighty-five (n=85) scoring 3-6 included as high risk pregnancy and fifteen (n=15) scoring 7 or more included as severe-risk pregnancy. All relevant data were recorded for each individual study subject on predesigned data collection sheet. All collected data were compiled and analyzed by computer-based statistical software (Instat). Chi-square tests were performed to compare the prevalence of study variables where, p < 0.05 considered the level of significance with 95%CI. Ethical clearance of this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Results: In the high-risk group (n=85), around one-fourth of the patients (22,25.9%) and in a severe- risk group (n=15), one patient (1,6.7%) underwent vaginal delivery, Caesarean section was done in sixty-three patients (63,74.1%) in high-risk pregnant women and fourteen patients (14,93.3%) in severe-risk pregnant women respectively. The distribution of risk group and mode of delivery is statistically highly significant (P <0.001). Out of sixty-three patients (n1=63), nineteen (19, 30.2%) were required to be delivered by caesarean section for fetal distress and fifteen (15, 30.16%) were malpresentation. Out of forty-one patients (n2=14), the most common indications were a history of previous caesarean section with multiple risk factors in eight patients (8, 57.1%). Birth asphyxia was present in nine neonates (9, 13.6%) in a high-risk group (n = 65) and a severe- risk group (n2=14), and birth asphyxia was present in five neonates (5, 35.7%). Based on the outcome, in high-risk pregnancy (n=85), four neonates (4, 4.5%) died and in severe-risk pregnancy (n=15), one (1, 6.3%) died. Conclusion: The study found various obstetric complications and outcomes associated with high-risk and severe-risk pregnancies. The results indicated a significantly higher proportion of caesarean sections performed in severe-risk pregnancies compared to high-risk pregnancies. Moreover, the overall outcome was favorable, with only five neonatal deaths reported among the one hundred maternal risk groups.

This paper critically examines the emergence of sexual technologies in Nigeria's digital public sphere. In particular, it explores how the use of sexual technologies like vibrators and dildos in public spaces is viewed as transgressive, and how cultural, social, and religious factors shape Nigerians' perceptions. The paper adopts the concept of transgressive publics to describe how social media enables minoritized groups to challenge dominant norms around sexuality. Two recent cases are analyzed – one involving a Nollywood actress publicly distributing dildos at an event, and another with a blogger recording Nigerian women using vibrators. To examine public discourse around these events, social media comments on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were collected and analyzed thematically. Key findings show sexual technologies are condemned as immoral, demonic, disrespectful to cultural values, and a threat to masculinity. Criticism relies heavily on moral and religious beliefs that cast non-normative sexual expressions as sinful. Reactions also expose gender anxieties related to female autonomy and shifting power relations. However, some pragmatic comments defend women's actions given Nigeria's difficult economic climate. While stigmatized, the public emergence of sexual technologies constitutes a transgressive public for asserting women's sexual agency and pushing boundaries. The study demonstrates how cultural narratives regulating sexuality are negotiated through technology, highlighting tensions between tradition and modernity.

High frequency modulation techniques play very important role in multilevel inverters MLIs. These techniques have several advantages over low frequency modulation methods where they provide lower harmonic contents and higher performance in real time adaptation. Multicarrier sinusoidal pulse width modulation MCSPWM is a common high frequency technique and control method for MLIs. The synchronization of carrier signals, complexity of hardware components and high cost are very important issues when implementing multicarrier MCSPWM in real time. This paper presents an efficient approach that can overcome the problems of multicarrier signals. The proposed approach combines the advantages of low and high frequency modulation techniques. Real time adaptation of modulation index can be achieved easily, and harmonics contents are reduced to very low levels as well. Simulation and comparison of the proposed approach with MCSPWM are presented. The proposed approach is applied and tested effectively with different topologies of MLIs.

Tax avoidance is an action to minimize the tax burden with efforts by taxpayers that do not violate applicable laws. Tax avoidance in this research is measured using the formula statutory rate of tax – effective tax rate. Profitability is measured using Return on Assets (ROA), company size is measured by Ln Total Assets, corporate social responsibility uses the GRI-Standards measurement, Inventory intensity uses the measurement of total inventory divided by total assets. The research objective to be achieved in this research is to provide understanding and knowledge to the public, especially the government, management, investors and creditors regarding the role of profitability, company size, corporate social responsibility, and inventory intensity on potential tax avoidance and can be used as a reference for future researchers as well as reference for stakeholders (management, investors, creditors and government) in making relevant and reliable decisions. This research uses manufacturing companies in the consumer goods sector with the research year 2018-2022 which are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange as research objects. The total sample was 105 samples using the purposive sampling method. The data analysis techniques used are Descriptive Statistical Analysis, Classical Assumption Test, Hypothesis Test, and Linear Regression Test. Based on the analysis results, it was found that profitability has a positive effect on tax avoidance. Meanwhile, company size, corporate social responsibility and inventory intensity have no effect on tax avoidance.

Background: The World Health Organization recognizes the lack of public information about children and adolescents’ mental health (CAMH) disorders as a barrier to seeking help. This study assessed the current knowledge and attitudes of caregivers about CAMH problems in Egypt. Methods: A total of 1937 caregivers attending primary health care centers in Beni Suef, Egypt, were surveyed using the Arabic version of the University of Chicago Behavior Health Questionnaire (UCBHQ). Results: We found a statistical significance of positive attitude towards CAMH in parents’/caregivers’ who were females, relatively young, or had a higher educational degree. Due to the influence of media and negative publicity, caregivers were wary of the adverse effects of psychoactive medications and MH treatment. We also identified participants who had previously attended MH workshops or had a family member with mental illness were skeptical about existing MH services. Cultural background and spirituality were not a barrier to seeking MH care in this study. Conclusion: Findings highlight the need to utilize social media, television ad campaigns, and print fora to raise awareness about stigma, etiology of MH problems, and evidence-based treatments targeting gender and age-specific population.

Heliotropium curassavicum L. was screened for antimicrobial activity against some plant and human pathogens. Plant parts of H. curassavicum, were collected from mangrove habitats of Chollangi, near Kakinada, Plant parts are dried and extracts were obtained successfully with hexane, chloroform, methanol and water, by using Soxhlet extraction apparatus. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts on the various test organisms, including multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria were investigated. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was determined by the Well Diffusion Method. The results concluded that the leaf and stem extracts of H. curassavicum possess antibacterial, antifungal activities. There is a possibility of developing this plant as a source of antibacterial and antifungal agent and further investigations are necessary to identify the bioactive principles.

Endodontic treatment is preferred to save the inside of the tooth, which is being infected by bacteria. There are many factors that can influence the outcome of an endodontic treatment. One of the most challenging factors is the anatomy of the tooth itself on which the endodontic treatment is planned. The location and type of tooth and structure of the root canal influence the anatomy of the tooth. This study aims to determine the effect of tooth location on the success rate of an endodontic treatment from the existing literature. Eight studies were included in this review with a total sample size of 6,056 patients who underwent endodontic treatment. All studies showed the outcome of endodontic treatment in the context of tooth type. Studies were consistent with the fact that the overall success rate of endodontic treatment is higher in anterior incisors as compared to premolars and molars owing to the number of canals per tooth and the comparative operational difficulty between incisors and molars while performing an endodontic treatment. Therefore, the findings in this review suggest that tooth location is a significant factor that can influence the outcome of endodontic treatment.

The study investigated the influence of family variables on sexual molestation of secondary school students in Aba Education Zone, Abia State. Two research questions were answered using descriptive statistics. Two null hypotheses were tested with inferential statistics at .05 level of significance. The population of the study comprised all senior secondary school students in Aba Education Zone, Abia State. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting 272 students for the study. A researcher made instrument tagged: family variables and sexual molestation questionnaire (FVSMQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by an expert in measurement and evaluation while Cronbach alpha analysis was used for internal consistency of the instrument which yielded a coefficient of .80. The two hypothesis were tested using one-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and F-value obtained were significant at .05 level. It was therefore concluded that family structure and parents’ level of education influenced senior secondary school students’ experience on sexual molestation in Aba Education Zone, Abia State. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that parents should ensure that lines of communication are kept open at home and closed family ties maintained so that children will never shy away from discussing sexual concerns with their parents.

Chronic recurrent seizures is a characteristic feature of epilepsy. It is a chronic neurological condition, usually resulting in unpredictable, unprovoked recurrent seizures that affect a variety of mental and physical functions. Some motor functions appear vulnerable to these seizure disorders. This study investigated the neurobehavioural analysis of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizure on motor balance, coordination in Wistar rats. The study was done in two phases: acute (14days) and chronic (28days). A total of twenty adult Wistar rats weighing between 90-120g were used for each phase of study. The rats were divided into four (4) groups (1-4, n=5). PTZ was administered intraperitoneally to the PTZ treated groups one (1) week before the neurobehavioral experiments commenced. Group 1 (control) received distilled water; groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered with subconvulsive doses of PTZ (25mg/kg, 30mg/kg and 35mg/kg) respectively at alternate days (48 hourly) until kindling was achieved. The study evaluated neurobehavioural parameters using Rotarod test (RT) and Handgrip test (HT). In both tests, the time latencies were significantly (P<0.05) reduced and worsened with time, when test groups were compared to control either in acute or chronic phase study. The results from the current study on the effects of the chemoculvosant seizures on motor functions, coordination and balance shows that severity and chronicity of seizures caused a deficit in motor coordination and balance. In conclusion, seizure disorder disrupts motor activities.

Globally, the incidence of obesity is known to be linked to a number of other riskfactors such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, amongst others, however, there are population specific variance and severity. Therefore, this study t investigated the possible variations in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels of obese women resident in Rivers State, Nigeria. Precisely, 334 obese and non-obese women within the ages of 18 and 65 years with no obvious health challenge and resident in Upland and Riverine areas of Rivers State were actually surveyed by the present study. A multistage sampling technique was adopted, and subjects were surveyed across the upland and riverine locations of the State. These subjects were evenly drawn from the multi-ethnic residents of the state. Anthropometric (body mass index- BMI) data and blood sample (via antecubital vein following standard procedures) were obtained from the consenting subjects. After laboratory analyses, the quantitative data got were subjected to statistical analyses using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test with a p< 0.05 considered statistically significant were determined. The result also revealed that all obese subjects as well as their UPL and RVR subgroups had significantly (P<0.05) elevated HbA1c compared to their respective non-obese groups and these increases were both graded and marked (P<0.05) with increasing BMI. It is also important to note that the non- obese and obese class III of the RVR subjects had markedly (P<0.05) higher levels when compared to those of their UPL counterparts.The finding of this study on the changes in HbA1c levels of obese women resident in UPL and RVR residents revealed significant (P<0.05) rising percentages of HbA-1c with increasing BMI. It can thus be concluded that the incidence of obesity and associated comorbidities are substantially linked to sex, ethnic/culture and socioeconomic status.

Introduction: Grave’s Disease (GD) and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) are two autoimmune diseases whose coexistence is rare. We report a case of a patient in whom both diseases manifested simultaneously. Case report: A 36- year-old woman presented with thyrotoxicosis. She had tachycardia with WHO grade 2 homogeneously non-pulsatile goiter, without exophthalmos. The evaluation revealed peripheral hyperthyroidism with positive anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies and anti-thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (anti-TSHR) antibodies. Cervical ultrasound revealed a goiter affecting the right lobe in the context of thyroiditis. Thyroid scintigraphy indicated a picture suggestive of Graves' disease in the left lobe and hypocaptating thyroiditis in the right lobe. The patient was treated with propranolol and Carbimazole, with alternating phases of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Discussion and Conclusion: Autoimmune thyroid diseases, GD and HT, are specific to the thyroid gland and are common in women. They share pathogenic features that could explain their association, including genetic and environmental factors leading to thyroid cell damage, T-cell-mediated autoimmunity, human leukocyte antigen binding, and the presence of autoantibodies such as anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies in GD. Rare cases have demonstrated that HT can manifest after GD, and vice versa, leading to an alternation of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in certain patients due to changes in the balance between various categories of antibodies. In the present case, the patient simultaneously presented both diseases.