Bauchi State University

Cement-based composites reinforced with high atomic number additives are increasingly investigated as environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional lead-based radiation shielding materials. This study evaluates the microstructural, elemental, and physical characteristics of cement–sand composites reinforced with bismuth clay, with emphasis on parameters governing photon attenuation. Composite samples containing 0 g, 10 g, and 20 g of bismuth clay were fabricated and characterized using density measurements, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Results revealed progressive microstructural densification, reduced porosity, and improved particle packing with increasing bismuth content. EDS confirmed successful incorporation and uniform dispersion of bismuth-rich phases within the cement matrix. Density increased systematically with both bismuth concentration and sample thickness. Given the dependence of photon attenuation on density and atomic number, the observed structural and compositional enhancements indicate strong potential for radiation shielding applications. The study establishes a foundational basis for further quantitative gamma-ray and X-ray attenuation investigations.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) remain a major contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While clinical risk factors are well-described, non-biological determinants including environmental, psychosocial, and health-system factors play a critical but underexplored role. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on these determinants, with particular focus on Kano State Northern Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Key electronic databases were searched, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, along with grey literature sources such as WHO, ACOG, and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health, for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Observational and mixed-methods studies reporting on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and non-biological determinants in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were included. Data on study characteristics, HDP prevalence, maternal and neonatal outcomes, and environmental, psychosocial, and health-system exposures were extracted. Study quality was assessed using standardized checklists appropriate for observational studies, and findings were synthesized narratively and, where feasible, quantitatively. Forty-eight studies involving over 138 women met the inclusion criteria. In Nigeria, HDP prevalence ranged from 6% to 17%, with preeclampsia at 4–8% and eclampsia at 1–2%. Key non-biological determinants included psychosocial stressors (chronic stress, domestic violence, low social support), socioeconomic disadvantage (low education, poverty), environmental exposures (ambient heat, household air pollution), and health-system constraints (limited antenatal care, delayed booking, inadequate monitoring, insufficient referral systems). These factors were linked to delayed diagnosis, severe maternal complications (eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, renal impairment). This study highlights a critical and underexplored dimension of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) by examining non-biological determinants in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). By synthesizing evidence on psychosocial, environmental, and health-system factors, it broadens the understanding of HDP beyond traditional clinical risk factors. The focus on Kano State Northern Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa provides context-specific insights for regions with high maternal morbidity and mortality. These findings are valuable for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, informing the design of targeted interventions, the strengthening of antenatal care services, and the implementation of community-based strategies. Ultimately, this work contributes to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030.

The study used a descriptive survey to assess science students’ awareness and perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) tools at Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare, guided by four research questions and one hypothesis; from the population of all science students, 147 respondents across Biology Education, Health Education, and Agricultural Education completed an online SurveyHeart questionnaire (validated by experts and showing a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.73 via SPSS v.26), and data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, and one‑way ANOVA. Findings showed varied awareness of specific AI platforms—ChatGPT (80%), Meta AI (73%), Google Meet (15%), Google Classroom (7%), and Gemini (7%)—while overall levels of awareness and use were uneven: about 70% of students demonstrated low awareness of AI tools for learning, 31% moderate awareness, 36% reported no awareness of using AI in learning, and only 10% had high awareness. Students’ perceptions were generally favorable, with an aggregate mean of 4.11 indicating that most viewed AI as an efficient academic aid that optimizes study time and provides quick access to personalized resources. Gender comparisons revealed that female students reported a higher mean level of awareness than males (32.06 vs. 26.53), and a one‑way ANOVA found a statistically significant gender difference in awareness and utilization of AI tools (F =4.4, df =146, p=0.04), whereas perceptions did not differ significantly by gender (female mean 4.15 vs. male mean 4.10; ANOVA F =0.20, df =146, p=0.65). Overall, while specific AI platforms are known to many students, substantive gaps exist in practical awareness and use—especially among a large portion with low or no awareness—despite generally positive perception toward AI’s educational benefits, suggesting a need for targeted training and integration strategies to increase equitable and effective adoption across programs and genders.

The focus of the study was to determine the influence of domestic responsibilities and engagements on social adjustment of married women in School of Early Childhood Care and Primary Education (SOECPE) in Aminu Saleh College of Education (ASCOE), Azare, Bauchi state, Nigeria. The study was carried out using cross sectional design. The study was guided by three research questions and their corresponding hypotheses. The population used in the study was 170, in which a sample of 62 was selected using criterion and simple random sampling techniques. Data for the study were collected using Domestic Responsibilities and Engagements Questionnaire (DRE-Q). The data collected in the study were analysed using mean, standard deviation and chi square test. The study discovered that married women in SOECPE, ASCOE, Azare were engaged in undertaking a lot of domestic responsibilities and engagements while undergoing studies. The study also found out that married women were socially adjusted, despite combining studies and domestic responsibilities and engagements because they participated in social relationships and extracurricular activities. The study recommended that married women should manage time well to enable them actively partake in social relationships and extracurricular activities. It also recommended that husbands and family members of married women should assist them in carrying out some domestic activities in order to have more time to engage in social relationships and extracurricular activities, thereby becoming more adjusted. Finally, the college management, students’ unions, clubs and societies should encourage married women to participate in social relationships and extracurricular activities in order to be more socially adjusted.

Background: The study was conducted to determine the safety of having first post-op wound inspection in two weeks following orthopaedic procedures. Methods: It was a retrospective study involving 277 procedures. It involved clean procedures and selected clean contaminated and contaminated procedures. Patients’ records were used to determine the time of first post operative wound inspection. External fixations, sickle cell anemic and diabetic patients were excluded. Wound inspection was categorized before 2 weeks (early) and at or after 2 weeks post-op (delayed). Using southampton wound classification patients were followed for one year to see if there was surgical site infection (SSI). Results: At two weeks, 84.9% patients had normal wound healing and 7.1% had evidence of SSI. 79.73% (n=59) of patients with early wound inspection had normal wound healing while 20.27% (n=15) had evidence of SSI. 97.1% (n=167) of patients with delayed wound inspection had normal wound healing and 2.9% (n=5) had surgical site infection. P value<0.01. At one year, (p value=0.162), 44.44% (n=123) had normal wound healing, 1.08% (n=3) had SSI, 27.80% (n=77) were lost to follow up, 24.19% (n=67) had no available records of their wound conditions, From the 123 with normal wound healing 21.95% (n=27) had early wound inspection, 73.17% (n=90) had delayed inspection. Conclusions: Delayed wound inspection is safe and cost-effective and has less SSI compared to wounds opened early.

This study investigates the proximate and mineral compositions of browse tree leaves commonly utilized as ruminant feed in Northern Nigeria. Five deciduous species Khaya senegalensis, Angiosus leiocarpus, Adansonia digitata, Ficus sycomorus, and Tamarindus indica were collected from Bauchi Local Government. Proximate analysis indicated moisture contents ranging from 5.350% to 8.350%, with protein levels varying from 7.875% to 12.775%. Mineral analysis revealed significant variability in calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron concentrations among the species. Notably, Ficus sycomorus exhibited the highest calcium content (188.96 mg/100g), while Tamarindus indica showed the lowest (97.53 mg/100g). These leaves demonstrated favorable nutritional profiles conducive to ruminant health, making them suitable additions to livestock diets. The findings underscore the potential of these indigenous tree leaves as valuable nutritional resources for improving ruminant feed sustainability in the region.

A feeding trial study was conducted at Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi Ruminant Teaching and Research farm to evaluate the effects of supplementing the diets of Balami rams with leaves from five different browse trees on growth performance and feed utilization. Twenty Balami rams were randomly assigned to five treatment groups in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatments were: T1 (Khaya senegalensis), T2 (Anogeissus leiocarpus), T3 (Adansonia digitata), T4 (Ficus sycomorus), and T5 (Tamarindus indica). The rams were fed a basal diet supplemented with the respective browse leaves. Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in performance. Rams in T1 had the highest Total Daily Feed Intake (TDFI: 902.18 g) and Total Weight Gain (3.45 kg), while those in T5 recorded the best Feed Conversion Ratio (8.55). The findings indicate that while Khaya senegalensis promoted the highest weight gain, Tamarindus indica was the most efficient in converting feed to body mass. It is concluded that these browse species are viable supplementary feeds, with Tamarindus indica leaves being the most efficient for Balami rams under intensive management.

The transition to a circular economy for hydrocarbons demands advanced recycling paradigms for waste lubricant oil (WLO). This study presents a holistic, multi-modal investigation of an intensified sequential process integrating acid pre-treatment with methanol extraction for WLO valorization. To complement conventional analysis, High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry was employed to deconvolute the molecular-level transformation, identifying and quantifying the removal of more than 500 distinct contaminant species. The mechanism of acid treatment was elucidated through in-situ FTIR spectroscopy, which quantified second-order reaction kinetics (k = 2.3 × 10⁻³ L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) for metal-carbonate dissociation. Density Functional Theory calculations provided a quantum-mechanical rationale for solvent efficacy, revealing strong, spontaneous binding between methanol and key oxidation products (e.g., ΔGbind= -5.2 kcal/mol with stearic acid). Microwave-assisted extraction enhanced process efficiency, reducing processing time by 95.8 % and increasing yield by 8 %. The reclaimed oil exceeded key API Group I specifications, with a kinematic viscosity of 16.49 cSt at 100°C, a flash point of 240°C and a total acid number of 0.05 mg KOH/g. A comparative Life Cycle Assessment demonstrated a 65% reduction in global warming potential compared to virgin base oil production. This work provides a validated framework for sustainable WLO valorization by coupling atomistic-level mechanistic insights with a validated, intensified process.