University of Jos

This research was aimed at determining the quality of groundwater by analyzing the physico-chemical parameters ‎and heavy metal content of samples from selected industrial areas (soap, food, vegetable oil and foam ‎manufacturing industries) in Jos metropolis in comparison to the contaminants in the industrial effluents. ‎Groundwater samples as well as waste-water effluents were collected from within Jos North and Jos south Local ‎Government Areas of Plateau State and analyzed using standard laboratory methods. Higher levels of ‎contamination were present in samples collected from the waste-water effluents. The pH of samples C (location) ‎and its corresponding groundwater (WC) were found to be 4.98 ± 0.04 and 5.93 ± 0.01 respectively. Concentrations ‎of anions in the various Sample, it was found that Sample B (location) and its corresponding Ground water sample ‎GB showed Nitrate ions concentration of 72mg/L and 6.5m/L respectively whereas ground water in some other ‎areas sampled were as low as 1.4mg/L. For the heavy metal concentrations, it was found that for all the samples ‎that showed the contamination of cadmium and nickel, their corresponding groundwater also showed even higher ‎levels of the heavy metal concentration. The cadmium concentrations of A and GA which are 0.003mg/kg and ‎‎0.005mg/kg respectively. The project concludes that urgent action is necessary to address this issue, including ‎establishment and enforcement of stringent regulations, advanced treatment technologies, and regular monitoring ‎of industrial effluent discharge to protect groundwater‎.

Abstract Background Genetic drift and host-associated adaptation in influenza A viruses threaten the long-term reliability of RT-qPCR–based diagnostics, particularly when nucleotide mismatches arise within primer and probe binding regions. Conventional assay evaluations often emphasize sequence conservation but rarely assess functional mismatch tolerance across divergent subtypes and hosts. Methods We performed an in silico evaluation of a matrix (M) gene–targeted RT-qPCR assay by aligning primer and probe binding regions against 22 H1N1 isolates and representative H3N2 and H5N1 reference strains, including recent zoonotic isolates from avian and bovine hosts. Nucleotide mismatches were identified, quantified, and mapped relative to assay components and oligonucleotide termini. Mismatch burden was summarized by subtype and assay region. Results H1N1 isolates exhibited complete conservation across primer and probe regions. In contrast, H3N2 and H5N1 strains demonstrated subtype-specific sequence variability, with a total of eleven mismatches identified across seven non-H1N1 isolates (mean mismatch per isolate = 2.43). Probe mismatches predominated (63.6%), occurring primarily at internal positions, while primer mismatches were infrequent and largely avoided 3′ terminal nucleotides. Recent H5N1 isolates (2023–2024) shared conserved internal mismatches in the probe and forward primer, whereas a historical H5N1 isolate (2016) exhibited a distinct profile including a terminal probe mismatch. Despite this variability, mismatch patterns were consistent with preserved amplification potential. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the evaluated influenza A M gene RT-qPCR assay exhibits inherent mismatch tolerance across human and zoonotic subtypes. By shifting diagnostic evaluation from strict sequence identity to functional resilience, our findings provide a framework for designing and maintaining robust molecular assays suitable for surveillance and pandemic preparedness amid ongoing viral evolution. Graphical Abstract In silico evaluation of an influenza A matrix gene RT-qPCR assay demonstrates subtype-specific primer and probe mismatches across H3N2 and H5N1 strains, including recent zoonotic isolates. Despite observed variability, mismatches predominantly occur at internal positions and spare primer 3′ termini, supporting inherent assay mismatch tolerance and suitability for surveillance applications.

Agricultural insurance is promoted as a key resilience tool for smallholder farmers, yet uptake in Nigeria remains low despite long‑standing government support and the expansion of index‑based products. This State-of- the-Art review synthesizes multidisciplinary evidence to examine how supply‑chain and logistics constraints shape agricultural risk, risk perception, and insurance adoption. Findings show that poor rural roads, inadequate storage, fragmented transport systems, weak market linkages, and limited weather data infrastructure act as structural risk multipliers that elevate both actual and perceived risk. These constraints also weaken insurance performance by raising transaction costs, delaying claims verification, increasing basis risk, and eroding institutional trust. The study proposes the ‘Logistics-Risk-Insurance’ Nexus, to explain how structural, behavioral, and institutional pathways jointly influence insurance behavior. It concludes that improving uptake requires coordinated investments in rural infrastructure, data systems, and trust‑building mechanisms, supported by public–private partnerships that integrate logistics with risk‑management tools.

This study assessed school environment variables and Biology learning among senior secondary school students in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 2,071 Biology students in 26 public secondary schools in Jos North Local Government Area. A sample of 250 was used using simple random sampling at each stage. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire (SEVBLQ) which was content validated by experts. Reliability was established through a pilot study, yielded reliability coefficient of 0.711. Questionnaires were administered personally by the researcher and trained research assistants and retrieved immediately after completion. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics Mean and Standard Deviation. Findings revealed that students perceived physical facilities such as well-equipped laboratories, conducive classrooms, and functional libraries as highly influential factors in their understanding of Biology (Mean > 2.50). The availability and utilization of instructional materials were also perceived to enhance students’ engagement and comprehension of biological concepts. The study concluded that students perceive a conducive and supportive school environment as an important factor associated with improved Biology learning. It recommended that the Plateau State Ministry of Education should prioritize infrastructural development and instructional material provision.

The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), and its recent expansion, has evolved beyond its economic foundations to emerge as a formidable actor influencing global governance. This article critiqued portrayals of BRICS as a merely symbolic or disjointed alliance, arguing that it offers a viable alternative to the Western-dominated global order. It challenges the representativeness of traditional institutions like the UN, IMF, and World Bank, while examining BRICS' initiatives such as the New Development Bank and de-dollarisation efforts. Being a qualitative research, secondary data was utilized to analyze BRICS' institutional strategies, ideological narratives, and policy tools that seek to reshape global power configurations. The study is anchored on two theories, the Neo-Gramscian and Structural Realism. The study argued that BRICS functions both as a symbol and agent of multi-polarity and examines whether the coalition can consolidate a coherent global vision beyond being a protest bloc. The study established in its findings that, BRICS is the alternative to Western dominated global institutions, thus, providing a change in the unipolar grips on global politics. One of the recommendations given is that as an alternative to unipolarity, BRICS should promote South-South alliances so as to strengthen its New Development Bank that will measure up with the global institutions such as the World Bank and IMF. Its evolving role may be pivotal to the future of global governance.

This study aims to analyze the legal protection of investors in crowdfunding as a new investment instrument in Indonesia. The rapid growth of financial technology has introduced crowdfunding platforms as alternative financing and investment schemes beyond conventional capital markets. However, this development raises legal risks for investors, including information asymmetry, potential fraud, and default by issuers. This research uses a normative juridical method with statutory and conceptual approaches, supported by comparative studies with international practices. The results indicate that the Indonesian regulatory framework, mainly the Financial Services Authority Regulation (POJK) No. 57/POJK.04/2020, has provided preventive protection through licensing requirements, disclosure obligations, and monitoring mechanisms. Nonetheless, repressive protection mechanisms remain limited, particularly regarding dispute resolution and liability of platform providers. This study concludes that while crowdfunding is a promising instrument for democratizing investment, legal certainty and investor protection need to be strengthened by expanding OJK’s supervisory role and harmonizing crowdfunding regulations with capital market and company law.

BackgroundDigital transformation, a rapidly growing phenomenon in today’s business world, has brought profound changes across various sectors. In the field of sports management, its impacts are particularly significant, influencing prospective sports managers’ concerns about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and employment. To strengthen the theoretical grounding, recent research indicates that AI-driven automation is reshaping job roles, required competencies, and career expectations in sports-related professions. It is argued that sports management students are compelled to reshape both their professional skills and their job-seeking processes due to technological advancements in a digitalized world. In this context, the study aims to examine the concerns of prospective sports managers regarding AI and employment in the digital transformation era and provide practical recommendations.MethodsThe research was conducted using a relational survey model. The study sample comprised of 210 individuals aged between 18 and 39 (Mean Age = 21.18), selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a personal information form prepared by the researchers, the “Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale,” and the “Employment Anxiety Scale for Sports Sciences Students.” Data analysis was performed using SPSS 24.0 software. Independent samples t-tests were used to assess differences, and Pearson correlation analysis was applied to determine relationships between variables. Effect sizes and assumption checks were also considered to strengthen interpretability (Cohen’s d, η2).ResultsThe findings revealed a significant difference in the mean scores for the “AI Configuration” sub-dimension of the AI Anxiety Scale based on gender. However, no significant differences were determined in the sub-dimensions of “Learning,” “Job Replacement,” and “Sociotechnical Blindness,” nor in the total scores of the Employment Anxiety Scale for Sports Sciences Students. Similarly, no significant differences were determined in the total scores and sub-dimensions of the AI Anxiety Scale or the total scores of the Employment Anxiety Scale based on age (ANOVA results). Income level, however, significantly affected the Employment Anxiety Scale scores, though no significant differences were observed for the total and sub-dimension scores of the AI Anxiety Scale.ConclusionTo alleviate employment anxiety among prospective sports managers, career counseling services and increased internship and job opportunities can be implemented. Economic support programs, such as scholarships and internship stipends, could help reduce insecurity among students from lower-income backgrounds. Furthermore, AI training programs may mitigate technological anxieties, enhancing students’ confidence in adapting to the digital transformation of their field.