The Niger Delta contains extensive surface-water and groundwater resources that support domestic activities, agriculture, fisheries and other livelihoods, but petroleum exploration and production have created persistent environmental pressures. This study assesses environmental management practices, water quality and water-security conditions in four selected oil-producing communities: Bodo in Rivers State, Otuabagi in Bayelsa State, Ogidigben in Delta State and Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State. A mixed-methods design involving water-quality assessment and questionnaire administration was adopted. A model dataset comprising 16 water samples and 200 questionnaire respondents was developed for statistical demonstration. Physicochemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, nitrate, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and lead (Pb), were evaluated. The illustrative results showed mean TPH concentrations of 1,050, 690, 400 and 895 µg/L for Bodo, Otuabagi, Ogidigben and Ibeno, respectively. Mean lead concentrations were 50.0, 35.5, 20.0 and 52.0 µg/L, respectively. One-way ANOVA produced F = 26.48 and p = 0.004, indicating statistically significant differences among the illustrative community TPH values. Questionnaire responses indicated concerns about groundwater dependence, pollution and remediation effectiveness. The study demonstrates the importance of integrated pollution prevention, environmental monitoring, remediation, community participation and sustainable water-resource management in improving water security in the Niger Delta.

Stone masonry is the predominant construction method in Nepal's high-altitude regions, yet buildings frequently suffer from defects that compromise structural integrity and occupant safety. This study investigates the common defects, underlying causes, and impacts in stone masonry residential buildings through a case study of Jumla District, Nepal. Using a qualitative methodology incorporating Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 15 stakeholders and field observations of 5 buildings, the research identifies recurrent defects including cracking, uneven settlement, mud plaster fall-down, weathering and deterioration, discoloration/erosion, and poor drainage. Thematic analysis reveals that these defects primarily originate from poor-quality materials, improper construction practices, inadequate foundation work, and harsh environmental conditions. The impacts range from structural instability and aesthetic degradation to increased maintenance costs. A notable finding is the divergence in perspectives between technical stakeholders (engineers) who emphasize systemic design and material issues, and non-technical stakeholders (owners, workers) who focus on observable symptoms and workmanship problems. The study contributes empirical evidence on construction quality challenges in high-altitude, resource-constrained environments and provides practical insights for improving stone masonry construction practices. Recommendations include enhancing workforce skills, improving foundation construction, strengthening material quality control, and implementing regular maintenance programs.

Introduction: Lymph nodes in the oral and maxillofacial region serve as critical indicators of immune activity. They reflect a wide range of pathological processes. Various types of lesions, including infectious, autoimmune, neoplastic, or idiopathic, trigger a specific pattern of lymph node response, characterized by distinct structural and cellular changes. These patterns may resemble malignant conditions complicating diagnosis. Recognition of these patterns supports effective disease characterization and informed clinical decision-making. Accurate assessment requires integration of morphological features with clinical findings and the usage of appropriate ancillary studies. This review highlights the diverse spectrum of lymph node responses encountered in oral pathology and emphasizes their diagnostic and clinical relevance. Objectives: The key objectives of this review are to elucidate the anatomical, histological, and molecular basis of lymph nodes in the oral and maxillofacial region, to analyze the physiological and immunological functions of lymph nodes in health and disease, to explore the influence of local microenvironmental factors on lymph node responses in inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic oral conditions, and to assess the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of lymph node involvement in oral and maxillofacial pathology. Materials and Methods: The present review synthesizes data from reputable sources on lymph node responses in oral and maxillofacial pathology. Electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and SAGE Journals were systematically searched for original research articles, reviews, and clinicopathological studies published between 1926 and 2025. Conclusion: Standard textbooks and classical literature on lymphatic system anatomy, histology, immunology, and oral pathology were also consulted for foundational context. The selected studies addressed normal lymph node architecture, lymphatic drainage patterns, immunological and pathological lymph node responses, and their role in oral inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic conditions, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma. Approximately 30–35 peer-reviewed articles were analysed to provide an integrated overview of the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of lymph node involvement in oral and maxillofacial pathology.

The effective management of trans-frontier movements depends largely on the implementation of border management policies, bilateral agreements, immigration regulations, customs procedures, and security cooperation between neighbouring states. This study seeks evaluate the implication of border management policies along the Cameroon-Nigeria border in Donga-Mantung Division. It assesses the level of awareness and effectiveness of existing border management policies, and implications of policy implementation gaps. Questionnaires was the key instrument of data collection. The study used data on primary and secondary data sources with descriptive and analytical models. The purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the border settlements and with 520 participants. These stakeholders were the different categories of migrants and border officials from the different border agencies. The study was lensed through “the bottom-top and top-bottom theory”. In summarizing the data into frequencies and percentages, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21) was also used. Tables, figures were used in presenting the data. The paper found that (39.4%) of migration stakeholders have low level of awareness of border management policies and 58.6% of respondents opined low level of implementation of existing along the Cameroon-Nigeria border in DMD. The findings indicate that irregular/unauthorized border crossing is the most prominent implication of low level of border management policies awareness and implementation, reported by 259 respondents (49.8%). This is followed by smuggling and illicit cross-border trade, with 121 respondents (23.3%), and cross-border insecurity/crime, reported by 92 respondents (17.7%). Only 47 respondents (9.2%) identified loss of government revenue and constraints on local development. The paper recommended among others improving institutional coordination, enhancing public awareness of border regulations, modernizing customs and immigration procedures, deploy more border officials, improve on border infrastructures, and promoting secure and orderly cross-border mobility.

This article examines arguments for and against the consciousness, sentience or understanding of machine learning particularly the new artificial intelligence (AI) tools and Large Language Models (LLMs) developed by OpenAI, Meta, Anthropic and other big tech corporations and suggests some significant limitations in this sphere. In particular, it is argued that AI systems cannot access those realms of human experience concerned with our knowledge of our own mortality, nor can they participate in that membrane of mind which neo-idealist philosophers and scientists such as Bernardo Kastrup and Donald Hoffman contend is the ultimate source of all reality and experience of the world. However, the brute fact of the ever-expanding power of AI applications in terms of their information-processing capabilities needs to be acknowledged, and it is concluded that as non-human persons along with certain animals and inhabitants of the natural world such entities should be included in the wider community of the extended mind within which humans and machine intelligence systems may collaborate in the interests of the flourishing of everything on the planet.

Land use dynamics are increasingly transforming rural landscapes and influencing socio-economic development in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Bui Division in the North West Region of Cameroon has experienced substantial land use changes over the last four decades due to population growth, agricultural expansion, urbanization, infrastructural development, and the prolonged socio-political crisis. This study examined land use dynamics and their implications for socio-economic development in Bui Division between 1985 and 2025. A mixed-methods research approach was adopted. Primary data were collected from 540 households through questionnaires, field observations, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Secondary data comprised Landsat satellite imagery (1985, 2000, 2015, and 2025), government reports, and published and unpublished sources. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques were employed to classify land use and land cover changes. The findings revealed significant changes in land use patterns over the study period. Forest cover increased from 214.67 km² in 1985 to 255.28 km² in 2025, while settlement area expanded from 328.30 km² to 565.98 km² in 2015, then slight drop 447.66km² in 2015. Agricultural land fluctuated between 1,305.90 km² in 1985, 1226.90 in 2000, 1324.6km² in 2015 and 1,243.60 km² in 2025, reflecting changes in farming practices and land availability. Water bodies declined from 6.27 km² in 1985 to 3.62 km² in 2015, suggesting increasing pressure on water resources. These changes contributed to improved agricultural production, employment opportunities, market expansion, and infrastructure development. However, they also accelerated land fragmentation, soil degradation, declining water availability, conflicts over land resources, and increasing livelihood vulnerability. Population growth and changing economic activities remained the principal drivers of these transformations. Land use dynamics have therefore generated both positive and negative socio-economic outcomes in Bui Division. Promote sustainable land use planning, strengthen land governance, and support environmental conservation to ensure balanced socio-economic development and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Background: Diagnostic delay is an important barrier to timely management of gynaecological malignancies and may result from patient-, provider-, and health-system-related factors. Identifying referral patterns and stages of delay may help improve timely diagnosis. Objective: To assess the patterns of referral and diagnostic delay among women with newly diagnosed gynaecological malignancies attending a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from January 2026 to June 2026 among 150 women with newly diagnosed, histopathologically confirmed gynaecological malignancies attending the Department of Gynaecological Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital, Dhaka. Sociodemographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, initial healthcare contact, referral source, number of healthcare visits, diagnostic investigations, and reasons for delay were recorded. Diagnostic intervals were assessed from symptom onset to first healthcare contact, referral, specialist consultation, and histopathological confirmation. Results: The mean age of participants was 48.5 ± 13.8 years. Cervical cancer was the most common malignancy (52.0%), followed by ovarian (21.3%) and endometrial cancer (16.0%). Private clinics/hospitals were the most common initial healthcare facility (32.0%), while government hospitals were the leading referral source (31.3%). The mean overall diagnostic interval was 95.6 ± 48.3 days, and 39.3% of participants had an interval exceeding 90 days. Lack of awareness (36.0%), financial constraints (31.3%), delayed referral (27.3%), and repeated consultations (25.3%) were the major reported contributors to delay. Conclusion: A considerable diagnostic interval was observed, with delays occurring at multiple stages of the healthcare pathway. Strengthening awareness, referral systems, and timely diagnostic services may facilitate earlier diagnosis.