2025

The determination of fluid viscosity is fundamental to understanding fluid dynamics and various engineering applications. This project focuses on the design and construction of a Poiseuille’s experimental apparatus used to determine the viscosity of water under laminar flow conditions. The apparatus consists of a large elevated reservoir connected to a cast iron chamber that maintains a constant water level, with flow regulated through a clamp valve. Water is discharged through an outlet hose and a fine capillary tube, allowing steady and measurable flow. The flow rate and pressure difference were used to evaluate the viscosity of water, and the obtained results were compared with standard reference values. The constructed apparatus demonstrated good performance and produced viscosity values that closely agreed with theoretical expectations. The success of this work confirms that a locally fabricated Poiseuille’s apparatus can serve as a reliable, low-cost, and effective tool for experimental studies of fluid viscosity in educational and research laboratories.

The rising global prevalence of maternal obesity (MO) poses a significant challenge to antenatal ultrasound imaging, as increased maternal adipose tissue attenuates sound waves, potentially compromising the quality and accuracy of fetal biometric measurements. Despite the acknowledged impact on measurement accuracy, there is a limited understanding of the specific lived experiences and professional practices of the frontline practitioners in Nigeria. This exploratory study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the perceptions, technical challenges, and adaptive practices of radiographers and sonographers when performing obstetric ultrasound examinations on pregnant women with MO in Edo State, Nigeria. A quantitative exploratory study was conducted using structured questionnaires administered to 60 radiographers and sonographers actively performing obstetric scans in various diagnostic centers and hospitals across Edo State. The findings revealed that a majority of participants "sometimes" (46.67%) or "frequently" (38.33%) encounter patients with maternal obesity in their daily practice, confirming this as a routine clinical issue. The study documented their subjective perceptions of poor image quality, specific technical difficulties (such as probe penetration and artifact management), their confidence levels in measurement accuracy, and the diverse strategies and techniques employed to optimize image acquisition. The conclusions underscore the persistent technical and practical challenges faced by sonographers in this region and advocate for the development of tailored scanning protocols and targeted educational programs to better equip practitioners. This will ultimately improve the consistency and quality of antenatal care provided to this vulnerable patient population.

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical health crisis, making oncetreatable infections dangerous again. This problem is particularly severe in hospital settings, where the frequent use of antibiotics and the concentration of sick patients create an ideal environment for drug-resistant bacteria to spread. The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospital-acquired infections in children at a tertiary hospital in Benin City. Using a cross-sectional design, clinical samples from 67 pediatric patients were analyzed for Staphylococcus aureus isolation, susceptibility testing via Kirby-Bauer method, and MRSA detection with cefoxitin. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen (50% of isolates), with 53.1% multidrugresistant and 30.4% MRSA; high resistance noted to erythromycin (70%) and amikacin (73.1%), but full susceptibility to meropenem and piperacillin; male predominance (67.2%) and older adolescents as largest group (33.3%).These findings highlight alarming AMR levels in pediatric HAIs, aligning with SSA trends and underscoring gaps in empirical therapy. Urgent stewardship and surveillance are needed to curb resistance and improve outcomes.

This study investigates crosswalk safety in Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin, focusing on the perceptions of road users, adequacy of crosswalk infrastructure, compliance with safety measures, and enforcement of pedestrian safety rules. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to three sample groups of students, staff, and drivers in the campus. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and hypotheses was tested with chi-square at 0,05 significance level. The results suggest that comprehensive solutions incorporating improved infrastructure, increased enforcement, and educational campaigns are essential for creating a safer campus environment for all road users. The findings revealed a general negative perception of crosswalk safety, with key concerns around aggressive drivers’ behavior, including over-speeding and mobile phone usage while walking and driving. The research also identifies significant deficiencies in crosswalk signage and markings, with a substantial proportion of respondents reporting poor visibility of crosswalk infrastructure. Whereas, drivers claimed to yield at crosswalks, pedestrians frequently experienced drivers’ non-compliance, highlighting a disparity in perceptions between these groups. Furthermore, the study found a widespread agreement on the need for infrastructural improvements such as better signage and clearer markings. These findings emphasize the need for addressing both infrastructure deficiencies and behavioral issues to improve pedestrian safety. The study contributes to existing knowledge by providing empirical data on crosswalk safety in a university setting, offering valuable insights for future interventions aimed at enhancing pedestrian infrastructure and safety enforcement. This study concluded by providing important insights regarding crosswalk safety in Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin, emphasising critical concerns related to pedestrian and driver conduct, along with infrastructural deficiencies. It recommended that all existing crosswalk signage should be repainted using reflective and durable thermoplastic materials to improve visibility, particularly at night and the University’s Security Department, along with local traffic authorities, should enforce pedestrian laws to ensure compliance by both pedestrians and drivers.

The liver is crucial for metabolism, detoxification, and homeostasis, making its functional status vital for physiological health. This study investigated the liver function status of Wistar rats after they were administered an extract of Emilia praetermissa leaf, a medicinal plant traditionally used for its antimicrobial, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular activity. Nine Wistar rats were divided into control and experimental groups, with the latter receiving varying doses of the Emilia praetermissa leaf extract over a defined period. Liver function markers, specifically total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and bilirubin levels (including total bilirubin (T.BIL) and direct bilirubin (D.BIL)) were assessed to evaluate liver functionality. The toxicity of the leaf extract was also studied in the rats, and no toxicity was observed. The results showed dose-related changes in liver function parameters of rats treated with Emilia praetermissa local gin and aqueous extracts. Total protein and albumin levels were highest in Group 2 and Group 4 respectively, while ALT and AST levels were markedly elevated in Group 2, suggesting possible liver stress. Bilirubin levels showed mild increases in Groups 4 and 7, and ALP activity peaked in Group 6. Overall, the variations indicate that the treatments caused biochemical alterations in liver function, suggesting potential hepatic effects that warrant further investigation. These findings offer insight into the potential therapeutic or toxicological effects of Emilia praetermissa on liver health, contributing to its pharmacological evaluation for safe medicinal use.

A company, though a legal fiction, operates through the actions and decisions of it’s shareholders and directors. The provisions of Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 envisage democratic and inclusive processes that reflect on the interests of all shareholders in practice, the principle that “the majority have their way and the minority shareholders. Unarguably, it is a commonplace to see actions of majority shareholders that contradict the Act or Articles, which in result could be detrimental to the interest of the minority shareholder. Such an illegal impedes good corporate governance and could have a company destabilized. Given the wanton injustice suffered by the latter, the letters of CAMA, though, attempts to provide safeguards in exceptional cases, the discretionary power of the court and the procedural hurdles in initiating derivative actions may deter or deny minority shareholders adequate protection. The study adopts the doctrine methodology of research. This research critically evaluates the effectiveness of minority protection mechanisms in Nigeria and identifies the legal and institutional loopholes that allow collusion between majority shareholders and company directors. Drawing from comparative corporate law regimes in other jurisdictions, the study recommends reforms aimed at establishing a robust legal, institutional, and third-party framework that better secures the rights and interests of minority shareholders.

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from a hotter system to a cooler system through conduction, convection and radiation. Biomass smoke, produced from the combustion of wood, charcoal, crop residues, and animal dung, is a complex mixture of harmful pollutants including fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), is a traditional and popular vegetable in many parts of the world regularly consumed as part of the normal diet, either fresh or after processing for its nutritional benefits. This study aims to investigate the histopathological and hematological protective effects of beetroot extract in heat and biomass smoke-induced pulmonary damage in Wistar Rats. Forty-nine (49) adult female rats were divided into seven groups (n=7), including control, heat-only, smoke-only, smoke + heat, heat + beetroot, smoke + beetroot and heat + treasmoke + treatment. The hematological results indicate that exposure to smoke alone caused a significant reduction in total white blood cell count, while other groups showed no such decline. Red blood cell and hemoglobin levels dropped notably in rats exposed to smoke and combined heat and smoke, but these values improved with beetroot pretreatment. Most red cell and platelet indices remained unchanged, though MPV and PLCR increased in the heat-only group and were normalized by beetroot extract. Overall, beetroot treatment effectively mitigated hematological disruptions induced by heat and smoke exposure. Histologically, Vascular and bronchiolar ulceration and interstitial inflammation were seen in the lung tissue of the smoke only, heat only and smoke + treatment respectively. Animals in the beetroot treated groups had normal alveoli, bronchiolar dilation and bronchiolar ulceration (heat + beetroot, smoke + beetroot and heat + smoke + beetroot respectively. Beetroot treatment markedly restored WBC, RBC, HGB, and HCT levels and normalized platelet indices, demonstrating its hematoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. These protective actions are attributed to beetroot’s rich composition of betalains, polyphenols, flavonoids, and dietary nitrates, which enhance nitric oxide bioavailability, scavenge reactive oxygen species, and suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines. Beetroot extract therefore shows promise as a natural, affordable antioxidant remedy against heat and biomass smoke-induced hematological toxicity.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a leading cause of disability, particularly among individuals in physically demanding occupations like market trading. Market women in Oredo Local Government Area (LGA), Benin City, are exposed to risk factors such as prolonged standing and heavy lifting, yet many do not access orthopaedic physiotherapy services. This study aimed to investigate the barriers and facilitators influencing their access to these essential services. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 374 market women selected via convenience sampling from markets in Oredo LGA. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Analysis involved descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation), with the significance level set at p<0.05. Results: The study found a high prevalence of MSDs among respondents, with low back pain (80.5%), general body pain (80.7%), and joint pain (79.7%) being the most common. Key barriers to accessing physiotherapy included long waiting times (70.1%), distance to clinics (56.2%), and lack of awareness (53.4%). Major facilitators were affordability (81.3%), proximity of services (79.1%), and positive social testimonials (77.6%). Socio-demographic factors such as education and awareness significantly influenced service utilization, while income and marital status had less impact. Conclusion: Market women in Oredo LGA experience a high burden of MSDs, but their access to physiotherapy is hampered primarily by systemic and informational barriers. To improve utilization, community-based awareness campaigns, mobile clinics, and strategies enhancing affordability and proximity are recommended.

Wastewater drains within university hostels can serve as reservoirs for various microorganisms, including opportunistic pathogens that pose significant health and environmental risks. Among these microbes, Klebsiella species—especially Klebsiella oxytoca—are notable for their ability to survive in damp environments and their resistance to multiple antibiotics. This study aimed to isolate and identify Klebsiella spp. from wastewater drains in male hostels (Hall 3 and Hall 4) at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Wastewater samples were aseptically collected from four designated drain points—two each from Hall 3 and Hall 4—using sterile 500 mL bottles. The samples were transported in ice-packed coolers to the Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences, for bacteriological examination. Standard microbiological methods were used to enumerate, isolate, and identify bacterial species based on their cultural, morphological, and biochemical features. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts ranged from 4.82 to 4.87 Log₁₀ CFU/mL, reflecting high microbial loads in all the sampled drains. Total Klebsiella counts varied between 5.75 to 6.00 Log₁₀ CFU/mL, with the highest found at Hall 4 Point A and the lowest at Hall 3 Point A. The identified bacterial isolates included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Notably, Klebsiella oxytoca appeared consistently across all sampling points, indicating its strong adaptability to wastewater environments. The findings underscore that hostel drainage systems can act as reservoirs and transmission routes for potentially pathogenic and environmentally persistent bacteria. Regular sanitation and effective wastewater management are therefore essential to minimize environmental contamination and associated public health risks.

Efficient management of oil reservoirs requires accurate prediction of reservoir performance and optimization of recovery strategies. This study focuses on the simulation and performance analysis of a waterflooded oil field using Computer Modelling Group (CMG) software. Waterflooding, a secondary recovery method, is applied to sustain reservoir pressure and enhance oil displacement efficiency after primary depletion. In this research, a threedimensional reservoir model was constructed using geological, petrophysical, and production data, incorporating rock and fluid properties such as porosity, permeability, viscosity, and relative permeability curves. The simulation was performed using CMG IMEX, a black-oil simulator, to evaluate reservoir behavior under both natural depletion and water injection scenarios. The results from the base case simulation indicated a gradual decline in oil production rate due to reservoir pressure depletion, while the waterflooded case demonstrated a significant improvement in oil recovery performance. The initial oil production rate before flooding was approximately 1500 STB/day, which declined to 500 STB/day before water injection. After waterflood initiation, oil production increased to about 1450 STB/day, accompanied by a gradual rise in water cut from 10% to 70% over the simulation period. Cumulative oil recovery improved from 25% under primary recovery to approximately 45% with waterflooding, indicating a 20% incremental recovery due to secondary recovery efforts. The study highlights the importance of reservoir simulation tools such as CMG in designing and optimizing waterflood operations, predicting production performance, and evaluating reservoir management strategies. It concludes that waterflooding remains one of the most efficient and economical methods of improving oil recovery in mature fields when properly designed using robust simulation techniques.