NIL(1971)

In this study, we compared manual and automated segmentation algorithms in Computed Tomography (CT) imaging of the liver. Segmentation is the delineation of anatomical structures on a CT/MRI image for treatment and dose planning purposes. Accuracy in the segmentation of organs in CT imaging is a critical step in diagnosis and therapy planning. Normally, manual segmentation performed by trained practitioners is the gold standard for the delineation of these anatomical structures. However, manual segmentation is time-consuming, subject to interobserver differences, and also needs a level of expertise (Lee et al., 2024). Automated segmentation on the other hand, is a potential solution to the problems faced due to manual segmentation, despite this development, there is still an ongoing debate questioning the accuracy and reliability of automated segmentation due to little knowledge about its capabilities (Raudaschl et al., 2017). The main objectives of this study are to compare the accuracy and segmentation time of manual and automated segmentation, also to assess the inter-observer variability between 10 different observers. This study was carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) using an anonymized CT dataset segmented manually using 3D-slicer and automatically using TotalSegmentator. A quantitative analysis of 100 segmentation masks produced by the segmentation of 10 anonymized CT images of patients by 10 observers (radiographers and radiotherapists) was conducted to evaluate the accuracy, time efficiency of automated algorithms and inter-observer variability of manual segmentation. The accuracy of automated segmentation was measured using the mean Dice Similarity Coefficient value, speed of both types of segmentation compared was measured using time and the inter-observer variability was measured using the Inter Class Correlation and Fleiss’ Kappa. The results obtained indicates that automated segmentation is as accurate as manual segmentation with a mean DSC value of 0.85±0.03 and also more time efficient with a 65% decrease in the segmentation time per image. This study also shows that the manual segmentations done by different observers are not far off from each other proving how reproducible it is. The Inter Class Correlation and Fleiss' Kappa was used to determine this with their score being 0.720 and 0.683 respectively. This indicates a moderate to strong agreement between segmentation done by different observers and if there is a strong agreement, the variability will be minimal. The DSC gotten is also greater than 0.7, giving a confirmation of how accurate
automated segmentation is. From the results above, it was concluded that automated segmentation is as accurate and faster than manual segmentation. It was also concluded that there are minimal differences between segmentations done by different observers. A wide clinical adoption, Training of radiographers, educational inclusion and further research is recommended to increase the awareness and integration of automated segmentation in various clinical systems.

Monitoring forest dynamics is essential for understanding ecosystem health and supporting sustainable conservation efforts in tropical environments. This study assessed forest cover changes in the Okomu Forest Reserve, Edo State, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2024 using geospatial techniques, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis and supervised land-use/land-cover (LULC) classification. Landsat satellite imagery for 2015, 2020, and 2024 was processed to generate NDVI maps and classify LULC patterns using a maximum likelihood algorithm. Temporal NDVI statistics revealed a moderate increase in vegetation greenness from 0.346 in 2015 to 0.360 in 2020, followed by a slight decline to 0.359 in 2024, indicating fluctuating vegetation health over the study period. Anomaly results further highlighted localized decline in vegetation vigour, suggesting increasing disturbance pressure. LULC analysis showed a decline in dense vegetation from 409.28 km² (37%) in 2015 to 375.82 km² (34%) in 2024, alongside an increase in moderate vegetation from 360.36 km² (33%) to 411.04 km² (37%), reflecting secondary regrowth in disturbed areas. Settlement areas expanded from 59.34 km² to 72.02 km², underscoring growing anthropogenic influence. Bare ground and light vegetation also exhibited reductions, suggesting conversion to built-up areas or natural regeneration. Overall, findings indicate progressive forest degradation coupled with evidence of vegetation recovery in specific zones. The observed changes are primarily attributed to human activities such as agricultural expansion, settlement growth, and logging. The study emphasizes the need for strengthened protection measures, community-based conservation strategies, and continuous remote
sensing monitoring to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Okomu Forest Reserve.

The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) serves as a vital bridge between academic learning and practical industry exposure for undergraduate students. Despite its importance, students of the University of Benin often encounter significant challenges in securing suitable Industrial Training (IT) placements, largely due to limited access to reliable information on available opportunities, organizational requirements, and appropriate application procedures. This project presents the design of a web-based Industrial Training Placement System aimed at enhancing and streamlining the placement process for UNIBEN students.
The proposed system provides a centralized platform where students can access verified IT compliant organizations, review key information such as required skills, available roles, stipends, and organizational expectations, and submit placement applications conveniently. The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodology was adopted, guiding the structured development
process through requirements analysis, system modeling, interface design, and database structuring. The system is expected to significantly reduce the stress associated with manual placement searches, improve access to authentic placement information, and enhance the alignment between students’ areas of study and available industry opportunities. Future enhancements may
include integration with institutional systems and expansion into a mobile application for broader accessibility.

This study examined the influence of teachers’ variables on students’ academic performance in Biology in public senior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The study specifically investigated how teachers’ qualifications, teaching experience, instructional methodologies, and attitudes affect students’ achievement in Biology.
A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 30 Biology teachers across 12 public senior secondary schools. The data were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages. The study concludes that teacher-related variables are critical predictors of Biology achievement and recommends improved teacher training, motivation, instructional resources, and professional development to enhance the quality of Biology education in the study area.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of methanol extract of Simarouba glauca on liver. The leaves, wood and stem back of the Simarouba glauca plant are the portions that are reportedly most frequently used. In this study, the leaves were used. The Simarouba glauca leaves were procured, cleaned and allowed to dry for 28 days at room temperature. The dried leaves were ground into powder. Six hundred grams were weighed and dissolved in 2.5 L of methanol. The mixture was stirred continuously for seven days then the methanol extract was recovered from this combination by filtration and the extract was concentrated by freezing the filtrate. Thirty female wistar rats of average weight 80g were divided equally into six groups with five animals per group. Group I animals were used as the control, Group II, III, and IV, V and VI animals received methanol extract of Simarouba glauca at dose levels of 125, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg body weight daily, orally for 28 days. The animals were then sacrificed and the blood obtained, centrifuged and the serum withdrawn for analysis. Total bilirubin, Alkaline phosphatase and Aspartate amino-transferase assays were carried out. The results of this study shows that there was no significant (P <0.05>) difference in all the parameters assayed when compared with the control. This is indicative of the non-toxic effect of Simarouba glauca on the
liver of female wistar rats.

This study examines the moral implications of trans-sexuality in Nigerian society, where traditional, religious, and cultural beliefs strongly influence moral judgments about gender and sexuality. Trans-sexuality challenges the conventional notion that gender is
fixed and biologically determined, proposing instead that it is fluid and deeply personal. In Nigeria, however, trans-sexual individuals often face moral condemnation, social rejection, and legal discrimination due to prevailing religious doctrines and cultural
norms that regard such identities as immoral or unnatural. The study reveals that Nigerian moral reasoning is largely communal, emphasizing collective values over individual autonomy. Consequently, trans-sexuality is perceived as a moral deviation that
threatens social harmony and divine order. This perception limits open moral discourse and perpetuates intolerance and stigmatization. The research further explores the ethical tension between cultural morality and universal human rights, raising questions about whether morality should evolve with changing understandings of human identity.

Arsenic exposure remains a major environmental health concern due to its ability to generate oxidative stress and induce tissue injury, particularly in the liver. This study investigated the protective potential of rutin against sodium arsenite-induced hepatic oxidative damage in Wistar rats. The experiment involved the administration of sodium arsenite to induce oxidative stress,
while rutin was concurrently given at different doses to evaluate its antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Following treatment, liver antioxidant status was assessed through the measurement of key biochemical parameters including reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Histopathological examination of liver tissues was also carried out to determine structural alterations associated with arsenite toxicity and the possible protective influence of rutin. The results indicated that exposure to sodium arsenite caused a pronounced decline in endogenous antioxidant defenses, reflected by reduced levels of GSH and decreased activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx. These biochemical disruptions were accompanied by noticeable histological abnormalities in hepatic tissue, suggesting oxidative damage and cellular
degeneration. However, rats that received rutin alongside sodium arsenite demonstrated marked improvement in antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione levels compared with animals treated with arsenite alone. The degree of improvement was more pronounced at higher rutin doses, indicating a dose-dependent protective effect. The findings suggest that rutin exerts significant antioxidant activity capable of counteracting arsenite-induced oxidative stress in the liver. This protective action may be attributed to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and enhance endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms.
onsequently, rutin may serve as a promising natural compound for reducing oxidative damage associated with heavy metal toxicity. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that rutin effectively mitigates sodium arsenate-induced hepatic oxidative injury in Wistar rats by restoring antioxidant balance and improving liver tissue integrity.

This paper examines the performance poetry of Nigerian Performance Poet, Dike Chukwumerije, arguing that it functions as a significant site for socio-economic resistance and constructive national advocacy. Framed within the dual lenses of Postcolonial theory and Marxist theory, the study analyzes his selected poems, which are "The Beautiful Ones Are Born", "Okwesilieze", "The Roads Are Broken", "Development Is", "The Wall and The Bridge", "The Revolution Has No Tribe", "We Are One Nation", "Belly Politics" and "Fix The Politics".

The ceramic tile manufacturing industry is vital to the construction sector, providing durable and aesthetic materials for diverse applications. In Nigeria, however, many tile production facilities face persistent challenges such as inefficiency, high production costs, and inconsistent quality due to outdated equipment and limited process control. Previous studies have shown that
simulation-based optimization, particularly with MATLAB, offers significant potential for improving manufacturing efficiency, but its application in local tile production remains limited. This study addresses this gap by exploring how MATLAB-based simulation can be employed to evaluate and enhance the performance of a tile production facility in Benin City, Edo State. The methodology involved collecting comprehensive production, machine, material, energy, and quality control data from a selected facility. These datasets were organized and converted into MATLAB struct format, enabling the development of a simulation model that replicated key stages of the production process. The model was used to run a five-year performance analysis, incorporating variables such as machine utilization, defect rates, energy consumption, and production output. Incremental optimization strategies such as adjusting batch sizes, refining firing schedules, and improving maintenance planning were introduced to assess their potential
impact on operational efficiency and cost reduction. Results from the simulation revealed gradual but consistent performance improvements over the five-year period, including increased daily output, higher machine utilization, reduced defect rates, and lower per-unit costs. Specifically, output gains of 8–12% and cost reductions of approximately 5% were achievable without major capital investments, simply through process optimization. The findings underscore MATLAB’s effectiveness as both a simulation and decision-support tool, providing a pathway for Nigerian tile manufacturers to improve competitiveness, reduce waste, and enhance sustainability through data-driven process improvement strategies

The internet has become an essential tool in modern education, significantly influencing the reading culture of undergraduate students. This study examines the impact of the internet on the reading habits of students at the University of Benin, analyzing both its benefits and challenges. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through surveys and interviews with undergraduate students to assess internet accessibility, usage patterns, and its effects on traditional reading practices.
Findings indicate that while the internet enhances access to diverse academic resources, facilitates research, and supports collaborative learning, it also contributes to distractions such as social media engagement, information overload, and reduced deep reading habits. Many students rely on digital materials, preferring shorter online articles, summaries, and multimedia content
over printed books. However, issues such as unreliable internet service, lack of digital literacy, and excessive screen time pose challenges to effective academic reading. To address these concerns, the study recommends implementing digital literacy programs, improving internet infrastructure, encouraging a balanced approach to digital and traditional reading materials, and promoting responsible internet use. By adopting these strategies, students can maximize the academic benefits of the internet while minimizing its negative effects. The study concludes that a structured approach to internet usage can enhance students' learning
experiences and improve their overall reading culture.