University of Benin

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) represents a critical window for stroke prevention, yet physician knowledge and system readiness vary across healthcare settings. Evidence describing national patterns of TIA management knowledge among physicians in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. This national cross-sectional survey aims to evaluate Nigerian physicians’ knowledge of TIA diagnosis and management, identify factors associated with adequate knowledge, and explore perceived barriers to optimal TIA care. A nationwide descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among licensed medical doctors practicing in Nigeria using a structured online questionnaire. Knowledge of TIA presentation, investigations, and management was assessed using a composite scoring system categorized as poor, fair, or good. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and knowledge patterns. Bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression were performed to identify independent predictors of knowledge level. A total of 404 physicians participated. Overall, 38.1% demonstrated good knowledge of TIA management, while 40.6% had fair knowledge and 21.3% had poor knowledge. Most respondents correctly identified the high early risk of stroke following TIA (79.0%) and recommended urgent brain imaging (80.2%) and vascular imaging (76.5%). However, only 30.2% had received formal TIA training within the previous five years, and fewer than one-third reported the presence of local referral pathways. The most frequently reported barriers included patient-related factors (71.0%), limited access to urgent neuroimaging (61.4%), and lack of guideline-based protocols (38.9%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant regional variation in knowledge levels, with lower odds of good knowledge observed outside the South-West region. While Nigerian physicians demonstrate moderate awareness of key TIA management principles, important gaps remain in guideline-based practice and system-level readiness. Targeted educational initiatives, improved access to neuroimaging, and development of structured referral pathways may enhance early stroke prevention efforts.

The study investigated the effect of a school-based sexuality education programme on child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention skills among primary school pupils in Delta State, Nigeria. To guide this study, two research questions were raised with their corresponding hypotheses formulated. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design using a pre-test, post-test non-equivalent control group. The population consisted of 6,204 primary six pupils in Ughelli North Local Government Area, from which a sample of 85 primary six pupils aged 9–11 years was selected using intact classes. The instrument used for data collection was the Children’s Knowledge of Abuse Questionnaire–Revised (CKAQ-R) adapted from Tutty (1995), which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.82. Data collected were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and paired sample t-test at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test mean scores of pupils exposed to the school-based sexuality education programme, indicating that the intervention significantly improved their CSA prevention skills. However, no significant difference was observed among pupils in the control group. Based on these findings, the study concluded that school-based sexuality education programmes are effective in enhancing pupils’ ability to recognise, resist, and report sexual abuse. It was recommended that such programmes should be integrated into the primary school curriculum to promote child safety and protection.

Vernonia amygdalina Delile (Asteraceae), commonly known as bitter leaf, is a tropical shrub that may potentially serve as a biopesticide against the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a key pest of potatoes. The beetle’s behavioral response to the methanolic leaf extract of V. amygdalina was evaluated in this study. Using no-choice, dual-choice, and wind-tunnel assays under laboratory conditions, we evaluated responses of larvae and adults to potato leaf discs treated with V. amygdalina extract in a randomized complete block design, measuring feeding behavior, leaf damage levels, and remaining leaf area. The results showed that V. amygdalina had no biocidal effects against the beetle, as no mortality was incurred. However, dose-linked antifeedant effects were evident in both no-choice and dual-choice arenas. Vernonia amygdalina minimized leaf-area loss most effectively at the highest concentration, especially against the larvae. The extract showed no olfactory repellency but acted as an antifeedant, possibly through contact or taste (gustatory) receptors. The consistent behavioral avoidance at higher concentrations suggests that V. amygdalina acts as a form of deterrent against the Colorado potato beetle.

The depletion of reservoir energy in mature oil fields poses a significant challenge to sustainable hydrocarbon production. In the prolific Niger Delta basin, many reservoirs have progressed beyond their natural flow potential, necessitating the deployment of artificial lift systems to maintain economic production rates and maximize recovery. This study presents a performance evaluation of natural flow and Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP)-assisted wells in a depleting Niger Delta oil reservoir using an integrated Material Balance (MBAL) and PROSPER modeling approach. The workflow commenced with a rigorous reservoir-level analysis using MBAL to characterize the reservoir's drive mechanism and estimate the Original Oil in Place (OOIP). The analysis confirmed a strong water drive mechanism with an OOIP of approximately 2989.9 MMSTB. Subsequent well-level modeling in PROSPER was used to simulate the well's performance under natural flow conditions, identifying the point of flow cessation at a reservoir pressure of approximately 2000 psig and a water cut of 60%. To address this production gap, an ESP system was designed and simulated. The results demonstrated that the ESP intervention successfully lowered the flowing bottomhole pressure, increased drawdown, and restored production to a stable rate of 1,204 STB/day of oil (3,010.5 STB/day total liquid). A comparative forecast revealed that without the ESP, the well would have ceased production, leaving significant recoverable reserves untapped. The study conclusively demonstrates that the integrated MBAL-PROSPER workflow provides a robust technical framework for diagnosing production constraints, optimizing artificial lift timing, and extending field life.

Despite the transformative impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV persists in long-lived cellular and anatomical reservoirs that reignite viral replication when treatment is interrupted. Eliminating or durably suppressing these reservoirs remains the central challenge to achieving a cure. Individuals who initiate ART during acute or early infection provide a particularly informative model, as early intervention is generally associated with reduced reservoir size, limited viral diversification, preservation of immune function, and lower levels of inflammation. These features create a valuable biological window for interrogating the earliest events of reservoir seeding and persistence. Recent advances in reservoir mapping including high-sensitivity molecular assays, full-length proviral sequencing, single-cell multi-omics, and spatial imaging have enabled increasingly refined characterization of reservoir composition, cellular identity, clonal dynamics, and tissue distribution. Studies in early-treated cohorts have identified features such as simplified clonal architecture, higher relative inducibility of intact proviruses, and, in some individuals, an increased likelihood of post-treatment control. These insights are informing the development of cure-focused interventions ranging from latency reversal and immune-based strategies to gene-editing approaches and targeted drug delivery. Nonetheless, important challenges remain, including incomplete tissue sampling, assay sensitivity limitations, and uncertainty regarding which cellular and anatomical reservoirs most critically drive viral rebound. Integrative approaches combining multi-omics profiling, predictive biomarkers, and personalized therapeutic strategies will be essential for advancing toward durable ART-free remission.

The increasing global energy demand, depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and environmental degradation have motivated research into sustainable alternatives, with biodiesel emerging as a promising renewable energy source. Heterogeneous catalysts are preferred for biodiesel production because of their activity, reusability, and capacity to support the circular economy through the use of waste-derived precursors. In particular, the benefits of using biobased precursors for heterogeneous catalyst synthesis need to be further explored. Previous reviews on this subject often focus on general catalyst types, without providing a focused discussion on the specificities of waste-derived catalysts. This provides a limited understanding of the unique benefits, challenges, and sustainability implications of waste-derived catalysts. The current review addresses these gaps by providing a comprehensive evaluation of the advancements in heterogeneous catalysts derived from bio-based precursors for biodiesel synthesis. Various catalyst types, including acidic, basic, bifunctional, and nanostructured catalysts, were analyzed, with a focus on their synthesis methods, performance, and limitations. The findings reveal that bio-derived heterogeneous catalysts offer distinct advantages, such as catalytic activity, porosity, high thermal stability, reusability, and reduced environmental impact, making them suitable for large-scale biodiesel production. However, challenges such as active site leaching, sensitivity to impurities, and fouling were identified, highlighting the need for innovative solutions. The review also emphasizes the role of advanced synthesis techniques in enhancing catalyst performance. This study highlights the potential of bio-derived catalysts in promoting sustainable energy production and calls for further research to optimize their scalability, cost-effectiveness, and integration into industrial biodiesel production systems. • Reviews recent advances in biomass-derived heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel. • Examines synthesis routes linking structure, stability, and catalytic activity. • Compares the performance of some waste-derived catalysts for sustainable production. • Highlights characteristics and their influence on productivity. • The review identifies future pathways for sustainable biodiesel.

Purpose: This study examines the effect of artificial intelligence (AI) on audit practices. This study aims to determine whether AI will affect auditing practices in any way. This investigation was supported by the Task–Technology Fit (TTF) theory. Methodology: Using a structured questionnaire and a research survey design, data was gathered from primary sources. The study's sample size consisted of 316 auditors from audit firms in southern Nigeria. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the kind and strength of correlations between the study variables. Results and conclusion: Findings show that the p-value of 0.0391 was less than 0.05, the results demonstrated that machine learning (ML) significantly affects auditing practices (AUP). A p-value of less than 0.05 indicates that expert systems (ES) have a substantial impact on auditing practices (AUP), and a p-value of less than 0.05 indicates that natural language processing (NLP) has a significant impact on auditing practices (AUP). The results of the study demonstrated that artificial intelligence (ML, ES, and NLP) significantly and favorably impacted auditing practices. Implication of findings: To improve efficiency, accuracy, and fraud detection skills, audit firms and regulatory agencies should proactively incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques into audit practices. To automate regular audit processes, analyze vast amounts of financial data in real time, and more successfully discover abnormalities or dangers than using traditional approaches, technologies like machine learning, expert system, and natural language processing should be implemented.

Abstract This study evaluates the Se concentration and examines the geologic controls on Se concentration in Upper Cretaceous and Palaeogene mudrocks in parts of Southern Nigeria. Geochemical analysis [(major and trace elements, total organic and inorganic carbon (TOC and TIC)] and pH measurements were conducted on seventy-three mudrock outcrop samples from the estuarine Late Campanian to Mid-Maastrichtian Mamu Formation and ditch cuttings from water wells that penetrated the marine Palaeogene Imo Formation from the Anambra basin and Niger Delta basin in the Southern Benue Trough. Selenium concentration in the Palaeogene calcareous marine mudrock samples reaches up to 21 ppm, significantly exceeding data observed in the Upper Cretaceous estuarine mudrock samples. Covariation charts suggest that Se adsorption onto clay, Fe-minerals, and limited sorption by organic matter in the estuarine mudrock samples are compared to adsorption onto clays, calcite, and very limited sequestration by Fe-minerals observed in the calcareous marine mudrocks. Principal component analysis and redundancy analysis reveal a dominant influence of carbonate minerals on selenium sequestration. Additionally, the Palaeogene calcareous marine mudrock samples are less acidic (mean pH 5.92) than the Upper Cretaceous estuarine mudrocks with a mean pH of 5.02. Therefore, it is hypothesized that higher pH may slightly promote the bioavailability of Se, resulting in higher Se intake by plants in areas underlain by the Palaeogene calcareous mudrocks.

ABSTRACTPurposeTobacco smoking is a major driver of chronic disease, and e‐cigarette use is increasingly common, yet their associations with prescribed medication burden remain unclear.MethodsWe analysed data from 1657 adults aged ≥ 16 years who completed a nurse visit in the Health Survey for England 2021. Smoking and e‐cigarette status were categorized into four mutually exclusive groups: never users, current smokers, current exclusive e‐cigarette users, and ex‐smokers. Prescribed medication use in the past 7 days was verified by nurses and grouped into seven BNF‐based therapeutic categories: cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, pain and anti‐inflammatory, gastrointestinal, mental health, and anti‐infectives. Overall, medication burden was categorized as none, one, two, or three or more prescribed medicines. Generalized ordered logistic regression estimated associations with overall burden, and Firth penalized logistic regression examined therapeutic categories, adjusting for age, sex, education, and area‐level deprivation. Sensitivity analyses restricted the sample to adults aged ≥ 45 years.ResultsEx‐smokers reported the highest medication burden, with 20.3% prescribed three or more medicines compared with 8.6% of never users, 10.9% of current smokers, and 12.2% of current e‐cigarette users (p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses using never users as the reference group, ex‐smokers had significantly greater odds of higher overall burden (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.21–1.87, p < 0.001). Current smokers (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.60–1.24, p = 0.42) and e‐cigarette users (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 0.93–2.83, p = 0.09) did not differ significantly from never users. By therapeutic category, current e‐cigarette users, compared with never users, had higher odds of pain and anti‐inflammatory medication use (OR = 3.61, 95% CI: 1.70–7.67, p = 0.001). Ex‐smokers, relative to never users, also had elevated odds of respiratory (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.17–2.55, p = 0.006), gastrointestinal (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.17–2.07, p = 0.002), and anti‐infective prescriptions (OR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.63–6.79, p = 0.001). Sensitivity analyses restricting to those aged ≥ 45 years produced consistent results.ConclusionsEx‐smokers had the highest medication burden compared with never users, which may partly reflect reverse causation, whereby illness and associated treatment prompt smoking cessation, though residual effects of prior smoking cannot be excluded. Current smokers showed no significant excess burden, possibly due to a “healthy smoker” effect, and e‐cigarette use was not associated with overall burden compared with never users, although it was linked to greater use of pain and anti‐inflammatory medicines.