University of Science and Technology of Benin

In this paper, we study the balancing and co-balancing problems for the coefficients located along the direction $(1,-1)$ of the Delannoy triangle. Motivated by our search for the solutions of balancing problem, we give a novel identity on the Delannoy triangle.

The No Flow outer boundary condition also known as the PSEUDO-STEADY STATE occurs When reservoirs outside boundary lines are all closed boundaries in the late time region. This condition is relevant to bounded reservoirs. In this research, we employed the well the rate of production and cumulative production in a circular reservoir adopting the Finite Element Method (FEM). The FEM was used to analyze the diffusivity equation (governing equation). The reservoir was divided into fragments, which is referred to finite element. These components were examined and then put together to create the reservoir's domain. The research was conducted under the presumption that the pressure in the reservoir was uniformly distributed prior to the well starting production. Due to the nature of the diffusivity equation, dimensional analysis was carried out to make the equation dimensionless. The dimensionless results indicate a linear increase in cumulative production over time. Thereafter, the dimensionless cumulative production becomes asymptotically constant with a very slight increase as the dimensionless time increases. This continues throughout this flow regime. The results indicate a decline in the production rate of the reservoir over time. The rate of decrease at the initial stage is high and later in the regime, becomes steady. The finding of this study was juxtaposed with the obtained results of Christine. The comparison reveals that the two approaches have a high positive correlation, with an overall percentage error of 1.5512 & 0.0891 and a minimal percentage error of 0.0001 & 0.0111 produces the dimensionless cumulative production & the dimensionless production rate, respectively. Again, Christine solutions only stated the reservoir's production rate and cumulative production at certain times, but this work estimates the reservoir's overall production rate and cumulative output simultaneously.

The liver is essential for metabolism and detoxification but is highly vulnerable to drug-induced injury. Aspirin has been reported to induce hepatic alterations, particularly at prolonged or high doses, primarily through oxidative stress mechanisms, while Alstonia boonei possesses documented hepatoprotective properties. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of A. boonei against aspirin-induced hepatic toxicity in albino rats. Thirty rats were assigned into six groups (n = 5). Group I served as control; Group II received aspirin (10 mg/kg); Group III received A. boonei (1000 mg/kg); Groups IV-VI received aspirin (10 mg/kg) combined with A. boonei ethanolic extract (1000, 1500, and 2000 mg/kg), orally for 14 days respectively. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). Liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP), total and conjugated bilirubin were assessed, and hepatic tissues were examined histologically. Animals were weighed before and after experimentation including organ weight. Aspirin administration produced mild biochemical alterations characterized by reduced serum AST (12.67 ± 2.67 U/L), ALT (11.00 ± 0.58 U/L), and ALP (52.67 ± 15.71 U/L) compared with control values of 36.00 ± 24.00 U/L, 17.50 ± 5.50 U/L, and 56.00 ± 2.00 U/L, respectively. Total bilirubin showed a slight increase (0.37 ± 0.07 mg/dL), while conjugated bilirubin remained unchanged (0.10 ± 0.00 mg/dL). Histology showed mild hepatocellular stress after aspirin, with cytoplasmic granulation and sinusoidal prominence. A. boonei co-treatment improved hepatic structure dose-dependently, with near-normal architecture at the moderate dose and minimal stress at the highest dose, indicating hepatoprotective potential.

The Sahel region has become a critical site for understanding the intersection of migration, vulnerability, and social protection in the context of fragility. Border communities in this region experience overlapping insecurities driven by climate shocks, conflict, and economic marginalisation, yet remain peripheral to national welfare frameworks. This study explores how social protection systems in Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Mali respond to the specific needs of populations living in cross-border zones, marked by high mobility and informality. Using a mixed-methods design that integrates spatial vulnerability mapping, policy document analysis, and semi-structured interviews, the research interrogates the inclusiveness, coordination, and governance of social protection interventions at the border. Grounded in the theoretical perspectives of social risk management, transnational social protection, and social exclusion, the study reveals how state-centred welfare regimes often fail to account for the fluid livelihoods and identities of border populations. It argues for a re-conceptualisation of social protection as a transboundary public good that requires policy harmonisation and institutional collaboration across Sahelian states. The findings contribute to migration scholarship by highlighting how the governance of mobility intersects with welfare regimes, offering insights for building inclusive and resilient social protection systems in Africa’s borderlands.

Anatomists in Nigeria continue to be perceived primarily as educators and custodians of cadavers—roles rooted in colonial medical traditions. This limited view has obscured the wider relevance of anatomical science in national development. In contrast, global practice now positions Anatomists as integral contributors to surgical training, forensic investigation, biomedical innovation, and public-health research. This paper, titled Repositioning Anatomists in Nigeria for National Development: Challenges and Policy Perspectives, Beyond the Morgue and Classroom, critically examines the socio-institutional and legal factors that confine Nigerian Anatomists to narrow professional roles. It adopts a narrative literature review and policy-analysis approach to evaluate global best practices, identify structural barriers, and propose actionable reforms for Nigeria. Key findings reveal persistent stereotypes, outdated curricula, inadequate policy recognition, and the continued enforcement of the obsolete Anatomy Act 1933, while the proposed Anatomy Bill 2021, which would empower Anatomists through professional regulation and broader practice rights remains unpassed. The paper calls for curriculum modernization, policy advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, and the establishment of a functional Anatomy Council of Nigeria. Repositioning the discipline beyond the morgue and classroom is essential for integrating Anatomists into clinical, forensic, research, and technological sectors. Doing so will not only elevate the profession but also strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare, innovation, and scientific-development capacity for the 21st century.

Heavy metals pollute the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems posing a serious environmental issue with implications for public health. Cigarette smoking is among the major global health challenges due to its established carcinogenic effects on the human body. This study analysed heavy metals composition of five different brands of cigarettes commonly smoked within Benin City area of Edo State, Nigeria. These metals include; Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Nickel, Lead and Zinc. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used fort the determination of heavy metals Content after preparation the cigarette samples using standard methods. Results from the study showed varied concentration of heavy metals in the different brands of cigarettes; for instance Cadmium concentration (2.93±0.04 mgkg) was highest in ROM brand. Chromium concentration was so high in BEM (3.80±0.08 mgkg). ORS recorded the highest concentration of Copper (4.83±0.12 mg/kg) among all the brands while Nickel concentration (4.90±0.08 mgkg) was highest in the ROM. Lead recorded the highest concentration (1.56±0.12 mgkg) in brand SMZ and finally Zinc had the highest concentration in brand ORS (97.93±0.09 mg/kg). The concentration ranges of heavy metals analysed in different cigarettes brands were higher than the daily permissive values as suggested by WHO/FAO with some exceptions. This Preliminary study concludes that, heavy metals are present in some cigarettes brands consumed within Benin City, and most of them are higher than the daily permissive level for the body which may the detrimental to the health of the smokers and the public at large.

The First Principle Density Functional Theory (DFT) method was used to investigate the half-metallic character, magnetic and thermodynamic properties of NiCoFeX(X=Si,As and Ge). Electronic and magnetic properties such as band structures,densities of states, and magnetic moments, spin – polarization indices of each alloy are also determined to confirm half-metallicity and ferromagnetism. Thermodynamic properties such as Free Energy, Entropy,Heat Capacity and Debye Temperature are also computed using Quantum Espresso-based Thermo_pw code. The half-metallic band gaps of NiCoFeAs, NiCoFeSi and NiCoFeGe are 0.206eV, 0.205eV and 0.203eV respectively.The spin-up channels in the electronic band structures of NiCoFeX(X=Si,As and Ge) have indirect energy band gap,indicating that they exhibit half-metallic character .The quaternary Heuslers NiCoFeX(X=Si,As and Ge) are accurately ferromagnetic as they all obey Slater Paulin’s rule having magnetic moments of 4.0215μB,4.1573μB and 4.6711μB respectively and are 100% spin-polarized.The Curie Temperatures Tc of NiCoFeX(X=Si,As and Ge) are 827K,3631K and 827K respectively ( above the room temperature of 300K). However, only NiCoFeAs, and NiCoFeGe preserved their ferromagnetism after undergoing strain field. This makes them preferable candidates in the field of semiconductor physics. The heat capacities of NiCoFeX(X=Si,As and Ge) obey Dulong-petit law showing that they have good thermal applications in optoelectronic devices e.g. magnetic tunnel Junctions (MTJs),giant magneto-resistance devices (GMRs),Photo diodes, Solar cells etc.

Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis disrupts the gut microbiota's biochemical symphony, impairing metabolic, immune, and signalling functions essential for health. This multidisciplinary review consolidates molecular, biochemical, and translational insights into biotechnological strategies for microbiota restoration. Topics include engineered probiotics, synthetic microbial consortia, phage-based therapeutics, and metabolic reconstruction of short-chain fatty acid and bile acid pathways. Computational modelling and multi-omics integration are examined as tools for pathway prediction and ecological resilience testing. Clinical and ethical perspectives highlight ongoing trials, biosafety frameworks, and equitable access in low-resource settings. Synthesising findings from systems biology and clinical translation, the review concludes that the next frontier of microbiome therapeutics lies in rationally engineered metabolic restoration—a convergence of biotechnology, computation, and ethics aimed at transforming post-antibiotic medicine into a programmable, functionally resilient ecosystem.

Indigenous plant resources are valuable sources of therapeutics, but often lack detailed chemical characterization. This study employs Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to provide a highly detailed comparative chemical profile of the non-polar bioactive constituents in the ethyl acetate extracts derived from the seeds and roots of the indigenous fruit tree, Azanza garckeana. The objective was to identify and quantify the differential compound profiles to guide targeted pharmacological and industrial applications. GC-MS analysis revealed a total of 48 compounds: 15 in the seed extract and 33 in the root extract. The seed extract was primarily characterized by fatty acids and their simple esters, with Hexadecanoic acid (Palmitic acid) dominating the profile (∼ 29.5% total area). Key lipids also included Octadecadienoic acid (∼ 25.8%, likely Linoleic acid) and Ethyl Oleate (14.67%). The root extract exhibited a significantly more complex profile, featuring a broader range of secondary metabolites. Dominant components included n-Hexadecanoic acid (25.7% total area), Oleic Acid (10.99%), and aseries of complex cyclic and branched structures, such as Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane2-carboxylic acid (∼ 12.65%). This comparative analytical work reveals a distinct chemical segregation: the seeds function as a reservoir for essential fatty acids and storage lipids, while the roots accumulate a wider diversity of complex secondary metabolites. These findings provide a crucial chemical foundation linking the composition of specific plant organs to documented traditional medicinal uses.