Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is a prevalent sexually transmitted bacterium that significantly impacts reproductive health, especially in women. Its infection rate is notably higher than gonorrhea, with over 1.6 million cases reported in 2021. Often asymptomatic, it can lead to severe complications like tubal damage, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Aim of the study: The study aims to identify the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy and explore the potential association between serological evidence of Chlamydia infection with ectopic pregnancy. Methods: This prospective case-control study analyzed Chlamydia trachomatis infection associated with tubal ectopic pregnancy at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Community Based Medical College Hospital Bangladesh (CBMCB) from January 2024 to December 2024. Ninety-six participants were equally divided into case (N=48) and control (N=48) groups. The case group included women diagnosed with tubal ectopic pregnancy, confirmed histopathologically, while the control group consisted of women with uncomplicated second-trimester pregnancies. Serological assays measured Chlamydia IgG antibodies using BIOS Chlamydia T. IgG ELISA kits. Data were analyzed with SPSS software. Result: The age distribution showed significant differences, with more participants aged 20–24 in the control group (50%) than in the case group (29.17%) and more aged 25–34 in the case group (52.08%) than in the control group (27.63%). Marital status was also significant, with all control group participants married and 12.5% of the case group single. The case group had higher IgG titers and chlamydial antibodies. Significant differences were found in parity, history of ectopic pregnancy, PID, and infertility, with higher rates in the case group. No significant differences were found in occupation, residence, smoking, or other factors. Conclusion: This study found a significant association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and increased risk of tubal ectopic pregnancy. Women with ectopic pregnancies had higher Chlamydia IgG titers. The findings highlight the importance of early screening and treatment of chlamydial infections to prevent complications like pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal damage.

Karate has gained popularity as an effective self-defence technique, offering numerous physical and psychological benefits for women. While its impacts on these domains are well-documented, there is limited research on its influence in social domains. The present study aimed to explore the leadership preferences of self-defence-trained women. To accomplish the above objectives, the present study included a total of 186 female college students aged 18 to 22 years, comprised of 92 karate-trained and 94 untrained participants. The karate-trained group regularly practice karate, while the untrained group had no martial arts or other training experience. Leadership preferences were evaluated using the Leadership Preference Scale. To observe the effect of karate program on leadership preferences, the karate group was compared by using an Independent t-test with untrained participants of the same characteristics. The results showed that most participants (approximately 80%) preferred moderate to above-average democratic leadership levels. Karate-trained women averagely preferred above-average democratic leadership, while untrained women leaned toward moderate levels. A notable difference emerged between the groups (p = 0.04), with karate-trained women showing a greater preference for democratic leadership style. The study concluded that self-defence training significantly impacts women’s leadership preferences by promoting the democratic style, which may promote essential social qualities such as mentorship, teamwork, effective group interactions, etc.

English language instruction for deaf children presents unique challenges, particularly when mainstream curricula are adopted. Under the influence of several theories discussing the importance of effectiveness in pedagogy in general such as the Theories of Effective Teaching (Schmoker, 2006), the Four Pillars of Effective Teaching theory for (Hattie, 2009), as well as the Constructivist Teaching Theory (Piaget, Vygotsky), this study encompasses investigating the effectiveness of such pedagogical approaches conducted in six government schools in the Dhofar region of the Sultanate of Oman. In particular, the research aims to explore the English teachers’ perceptions in six government schools implementing the inclusive education program involving key aspects such as teaching methodologies, classroom activities, and the quality of course materials, alongside identifying additional support needed to enhance English language learning for deaf students. Data were collected through interviews with six teachers as well as analysis of their teaching diaries. The qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings from the data revealed that while the pedagogy used in teaching English to deaf children is generally acceptable, several areas in the pedagogy require improvement. Specifically, the study highlights the need for increased motivation for deaf students, the development of a specialized curriculum, a review of syllabus topics, targeted teacher training, and the enhancement of teaching devices for deaf learners. The study concludes that addressing these issues is crucial for improving English language instruction for deaf students in Oman.

The study was conducted to investigate the geotechnical properties of soils at settlements of bridges approach slabs in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Five soil samples were collected from bridge settlement sites within Zaria and Kaduna Metropolis of Kaduna State, and were designated as KDM-A, KDM-B, KDM-C, KDM-D, KDZAR-A, and KDZAR-B. The index properties of the soils were determined, and tests conducted on the soil samples were in- situ dry density, dynamic cone penetration test, California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive strength, vane shear test, direct shear test, and consolidation test in accordance with British Standard (BS) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. Results from the findings showed that the soils at KDM-A, KDM-B, KDM-C, KDM-D, KDZAR-A, and KDZAR-B were classified as A-2-6(2), A-6(4), A-6(3), A-2-6(1), A-2-6(2), and A-2-6(3) respectively, having OMC and MDD values ranging from 9.1 to 16.4% to 1.66 – 2.29 mg/m³ respectively. More results showed that KDM-A had the highest CBR at 0 – 150mm, and 151 – 300mm depth of 20 and 24 % respectively, whereas KDZAR-B had the highest CBR value of 20 % at >300mm depth for dry soil samples, while KDM-A and KDM-D sites had the highest soaked CBR values. Furthermore, KDM-A had the highest shear strength of 130kPa, and 7, 14, 28 days UCS at various compaction efforts, while KDM-B had the highest cohesion value of 16, 17, and 19 kPa, and lower angle on internal friction for BSL, WASC, and BSH compaction efforts. Finally, KDM-B has a soil settlement of 0.903 mm followed by KDM-A with settlement of 1.003 mm, indicating that these soil samples has better geotechnical properties compared to others.

In recent years, multi-dimensional English reading-writing teaching activities have received increasing attention from scholars and teachers at home and abroad. As a kind of visual thinking and cognitive tool, mind mapping is also a training method for divergent thinking. However, mind mapping in traditional junior middle school English teaching is mainly applied to a certain lesson and is taught separately, which is not conducive to students to grasp a distinct text structure and form a comprehensive knowledge hierarchy. Based on the input and output theory of second language acquisition, schema theory and knowledge visualization theory, this article tries to incorporate mind mapping with English reading and writing teaching. This research takes Reading and Integrated Skills from the reading materials of Yilin Press for grade-eights as examples, and was carried out for 6 weeks. The subjects of the investigation were 66 students from two regular classes in the eighth grade, of which the control class adopted the traditional teaching method while the experimental class employed the mode of combining reading and writing based on mind mapping. After the test, questionnaires and random interviews were conducted accordingly and the data were analyzed by SPSSAU software. Through the practice of integrating mind mapping with English reading and writing teaching, the multi-dimensional linkage between mind mapping and English reading-writing teaching can advance the shift from extensive reading to intensive writing, enhances integrated linguistic skills for students and provides some insights and suggestions for junior middle school English teaching.

In upholding the principle of consumerism, which illustrates the desire to protect or promote the interest of consumers, there is the likelihood that within standard form contracts, the consumer is at a weaker position in terms of bargaining strength and prospects of safeguarding their rights under such contracts. Standard agreements are generally considered to be contracts of adhesion where one party drafts the entire contract and the other party merely accepts or confirms what has been arrived at by the other party. Thus, the aim of this paper is to show how the rights of consumers are sometimes violated with the prevalence of standard form contracts/standard agreements. In achieving the said objective, the content analysis approach was adopted. Our findings reveal that consumers are sometimes at risk when concluding standard agreements with sellers or service providers, since they are hardly conversant with the terms of the contract and given that they have little or no means to make propositions therein before accepting. This gives a lee-way for some authors of such contracts to defraud consumers through the use of excluding and limiting terms. This is mostly compounded by the fact that there is often little or no time given to consumers to acquaint themselves with the terms before contracting. It is therefore submitted inter alia that consumers should be given the latitude or reasonable time to properly read through or get conversant with the terms of these agreements before expressing consent to them.

Land use and cropping pattern is an important aspect of any economy studies particularly relevant to terai region. Given the fixed amount of land available on the earth and the simultaneous increases in population and the pressure on land has been increasing extremely that’s why the leads to change in land use and cropping pattern. In the last few decades, changing market conditions as well as policy environments and climate variability has reshaped land use patterns in Pilibhit. However, there has been a transition from traditional subsistence to more market-dependent and diversified cropping systems due to these changes. The analysis finds principal forces of change behind these trends, such as cash crop subsidies from government, and enhanced irrigation systems, as well as the increasing power of mechanization and agricultural innovation. At the same time, these changes have also presented opportunities as well as problems for small and marginal farmers, who are normally disadvantaged in switching to other crop options by their limited resources and fragmented landholdings. These changes have significant socio-economic effects, including income variability, employment and food security. It also reports the environmental implications of increased farming practices, including soil degradation and water depletion. Based on interviews, and secondary data, the study analyses the implications of these changes on the sustainability of agricultural practices in Pilibhit.

The rate of hunger in oil rich African States specifically Nigeria is becoming so alarming despite the huge wealth generated over the years. There seemed to be a mismatch between government policies, rising population and food security. The prices of food items have been rising since 2000, triples in 2008 and reached unbearable limit in 2023 and 2024. Food scarcity is a significant problem to the masses whose capacity to buy food is hindered by poor wages and food marketing cartels that control the force of food demand and supply. On the other hand, peasant farmers have lost interest in farming because of unfavourable conditions like high cost of farm input, human invaders, microbial invaders as well as pest. The issue of hunger has attracted palliative from federal government, private donors and international agencies. Policy analysts are dissatisfied with the notion of palliative-hunger alleviation strategy being that it acts as a first aid treatment rather than a cure. The study adopted both primary and secondary data primarily using CBN bulletin, online materials and interview. Key informant interview was carried out using officials from NIMETS, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Power and Energy, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. Sixty (60) interviewees were purposively selected and the criteria was based on their depth of knowledge in their various fields of endeavour. The study delves into understanding how hunger became a chronic ailment in an oil rich Sub-Saharan African giant. In the study, historical framework of hunger was established, the reasons for persistent hunger despite intervention as well as key hunger alleviation programmes were discussed. It was revealed that several factors are responsible for hunger ranging from climate, environmental hazard, unsuitable policies, high electricity tariff and petrol prices, exchange rate fluctuation, global oil price shock, insecurity, poor social welfare structure, low motivation to farming, over-riding number of consumers than producers and government commitment to food production and value-added services. In the study, food crises in Nigeria began from the 21st century precisely year 2000 when the price of petrol, exchange rate and global oil price rose uncontrollable and peaked between 2023 and 2024 resulting to series of hunger protest and strike across different labour unions in the country. Given this, it was recommended that holistic, people-centred and multi-sectorial approach to hunger reduction be employed against the conventional methods characterised by imposition of failing policies for the masses.

Aim of current study is to perform and investigate the renoprotective effect of nintedanib on diabetic nephropathy in albino wistar rat. Diabetic nephropathy was induced in overnight fasted rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) (45 mg/kg) prepared freshly in ice chilled 0.1 M citrate buffer (Ph-4.5) and after 15 minutes Nicotinamide (110 mg/kg)in in 0.9% normal saline was administered. The rat were divided into five grouping six animal in each group Each group underwent a different treatment protocol Treatment with nintedanib at 30 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg was evaluated using invivo studies such as physiological evaluation, serum and urine biochemical parameters like creatinine, albumin, BUN, uric acid and urine albumin level and histological studies of diabetic nephropathy induced rat's kidney. The present study demonstrated that the treatment of nintedanib exerts its renoprotective potential against the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The results showed significant improvements in renal function parameters and reduced histological changes when compared to the disease control group. Thereby, nintedanib at 50 mg/kg has demonstrated better effectiveness than nintedanib at 30 mg/kg. Our finding suggests that nintedanib holds potential as a novel therapeutic agent in the management of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting TGF-L. vascular endothelial growth factors, and their signaling pathways in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Further research is needed to elucidate its long-term safety and efficacy in clinical treatments.

This study was undertaken to comparatively investigate groundwater quality in Uyo capital city from private and public boreholes in order to ascertain if there are variations in quality. Four objectives were used in the study using both experimental and survey methodology. The flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to analyze the level of chemical concentration in the borehole water samples. A total of fourteen (14) groundwater samples were collected from 7 commercial boreholes located at Nwaniba Road, Aka Road by Udo Udoma, Oron Road, Ikpa Road by CCC, Abak Road, Mbierebe Junction and Ikot Ambang and 7 private boreholes located at Water Board Itam, Water Board Oron Road, Nwaniba Road close to Water Fountain, Champion Brewery, Redeemed Church close to Dumpsite Uyo Village Road (Ikpa Road), Abak Road and Mbierebe Junction. The groundwater samples were analyzed in the laboratory for their chemical and microbiological characteristics. On comparing the results with standard values recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), it was discovered that some of the groundwater samples had parameters that were within the permissible limits with slight variation across the different locations. While also, there were parameters that did not meet up with the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization. For instance, the pH of the groundwater samples was not within the permissible limit of 6.50mg/l-8.50mg/l in six (6) different locations of the commercial boreholes which are Oron road, Nwaniba road, Aka road, Ikpa road, Abak road, Ikot Mbang with values of 5.3, 6.3, 4.5, 5.9, 5.1, 5, 7 respectively. While, the pH in the private boreholes was not within the permissible limit in five (5) different locations which are Water board Itam, Nwaniba road, Champion brewery, Ikpa road, Abak road with values of 4.31, 4.98, 6.1, 5.53, 6.21 respectively. Several other parameters also got slight differences. The study found out that the groundwater of the study area is not devoid of contaminants, be it from the private or commercial borehole and as such both requires treatment. The study recommends continuous monitoring of the groundwater supply to keep the quality in check.

Background: Targeted therapy refers to agents that block the growth of malignant cells by interfering with specific targeted molecules needed for carcinogenesis and growth of tumors rather than by simply interfering with all rapidly dividing cells. Haematological malignancies (HM) are clonal haemopoietic disorders that arise as a result of varied genetic damages to several key biochemical pathways in cellular differentiation, proliferation and maturation. These pathways have the focus of a new generation of targeted therapy that have revolutionized the management of haematological malignancies. Methodology: The study was a retrospective study carried out at Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara. Participants were recruited consecutively as diagnosis were made. Data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23. Results: A total of 132 patients with haematological malignancies participated in the study. Males were 71 (53.8%) females were 61 (46.2%). 108 (81.8%) of the patients did not use molecular targeted therapeutic agents while 24 (18.2%) used. and 56.8% of the patients with haematological malignancies were dead at the end of follow-up. Financial constraints accounted for the reason 66 patients, (61.1%) did not use molecular targeted therapies while unavailability of the specific therapy within the country accounted for the reason why 42 patients (38.89%) could not access them. Use of targeted therapy was found to have a significant relationship with treatment outcome (p = 0.035). Patients who used molecular targeted therapy were more likely to be alive at the end of follow-up. Conclusion: Molecular targeted therapies hold tremendous promise in the treatment of haematological malignancies, with associated improvements in patients quality of life and outcomes. However, challenges such as availability, accessibility and cost remain especially in a developing country such as ours.

The paper examined the fact that all over the world, countries develop in accordance with the quality of education. That is the quality education in any country depended largely on the extent to which its challenges were addressed. The paper explored some of the possible challenges impending the realization of quality education in Nigeria such as quality teachers, learners and environment, arguing that access to quality education definitely would ensure societal balance, promote accountability, stability and prevent resorting to anarchy. In this paper concept like quality education and national development were conceptualized. By way of recommendations, the paper took the position among others that quality teachers in terms of training and re-training as well as adequate unavoidability infrastructural facilities should be provided for the development of the individual and society.

Simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture is a rare injury, particularly in individuals with underlying medical conditions such as renal failure. This paper presents the case of a renal failure patient 51 old year with 10 years history of haemodialysis treatment suffering from bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture.

This study investigated the synergistic effects of hydrated lime (HL) and soybean oil (SO) as additives in warm mix asphalt (WMA) to improve moisture resistance using the extreme vertices design approach. The main factors considered were the proportions of HL, SO, and bitumen, expressed as percentages of bitumen content, while the aggregate composition remained constant. Moisture resistance was assessed using the tensile strength ratio (TSR). Key findings include: TSR values ranged from 76.06% to 94.71%, with many samples meeting the AASHTO-required 80%. HL had the greatest impact on TSR, with moderate SO levels improving TSR, but excessive SO decreasing it. The strongest interaction affecting TSR was between HL and SO, while bitumen’s role was less influential. The regression model for TSR had an R² of 93.09%, indicating a strong predictive capacity. Optimized mixture proportions were 5.77% bitumen, 0.08% soybean oil, and 0.10% hydrated lime, targeting a TSR of 80%, which meets AASHTO guidelines. The study emphasized the importance of balancing additives to enhance moisture resistance while minimizing bio-based additives.

The utilization of indigenous plant species for remediation of polluted soils comes at a low economic and ecological cost when compared with traditional methods. In this study, the phytoremediation potential of indigenous ruderal plants in highly polluted soil within a petrochemical refinery complex was evaluated. First, a survey of the most abundant herbaceous plant species was carried out within the complex during the wet and dry seasons. The concentration of Cd, Ni, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in soil and plant samples was determined using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence. Results show ten herbaceous plant species (Calopogonium mucunoides, Terminalia macroptera, Centrosema pubescens, Piliostigma thonningii, Cochlospermum tinctorum, Isoberlinia tomentosa, Monotes kerstingii, Detarium microcarpum, Paspalum orbiculare, Borreria verticillata) with accumulation factors (of Cd and/Cu) greater of than 1, thus revealing them as metal extractors. Furthermore, they have high above ground biomass due to their rapid vegetative growth, self-sustaining and easy to propagate. There are possibilities of further evaluating and genetically improving metal tolerance traits in some of these plant species in relation to their potential use in phytoremediation programmes in metal-polluted sites.