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Fire exposure destroys concrete structures, and the cooling methods significantly impacts residual strength Rapid cooling, especially with water, may cause additional damage due to thermal shock, yet limited studies compare air- and water- cooling effects. In order to determine which cooling technique best maintains structural integrity, this study will examine how various techniques affect the breaking strength of Grade 30 concrete exposed to temperatures of 200°C, 400°C, and 600°C. This study involves the preparation of Grade 10 concrete specimens, which were cured for 28 days before being subjected to elevated temperatures of 2000C 400C and 600°C in a controlled furnace. After exposure, the specimens were cooled using air and water to compare the effects of each method on compressive strength. The compressive strength of all samples was tested using a compression testing machine, and the results were analyzed through tabular and graphical comparisons to evaluate strength reduction trends. The study revealed that compressive strength decreased with increasing temperature, with watercooled samples experiencing greater strength loss than air-cooled due to rapid thermal shock. At 600°C, Average water-cooled samples record 26.561 N/mm², while air-cooled samples record 28.014 N/mm², confirming that gradual cooling helps to retain more structural integrity. Based on these findings, air cooling is recommended as a safer and more effective method for post- fire concrete recovery. Further research should explore advanced cooling techniques to enhance fire resistance and durability.

This study examines how the combination of language, images, and spatial layout convey messages of religious beliefs, values, and practices in Deeper Life Christian Women Mirror. This study employs Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) theory to analyze Deeper Life Christian Women Mirror studying how various messages are conveyed through different modes of communication like images, layouts, texts, and gestures e.t.c. This systematic approach merges different analytical tools such as Multimodal Discourse Analysis (MDA),Critical Discourse Analysis(CDA), and Systemic Functional Linguistics(SFL). This study is limited to five physical copies of Deeper Life Christian Women Mirror, issued in 2024-2025, primarily from local Deeper Life Bible Church branches in Benin City, focusing on the themes of principles for spiritual growth, healthy living and child nurturing. These collected copies will be subjected to a systematic multimodal discourse analysis (MDA), drawing on theoretical frameworks primarily from Gunther Kress and Theo van Leeuwen, recognizing that meaning is simultaneously constructed through multiple semiotic modes beyond just written language. Moreover, this study focuses on specific sections of the magazine such as articles on spiritual growth, child training and health talk e.t.c. It samples the data derived from close reading of the texts and the photographs of the images in Deeper Life Christian Women Mirror.

As the world continues to embrace cleaner and smarter energy solutions, there's a growing need for tools that not only design microgrids but also make them smarter, more responsive, and easier to manage. This project introduces an Intelligent Microgrid Management and Optimization System — a desktop application built with Python — designed to help users plan, optimize, and monitor solar-powered microgrid systems more efficiently. What sets this tool apart is its ability to pull live weather data (like sunlight levels and temperature) using the OpenWeatherMap API. With this, it can predict how much energy your solar panels
might generate and how much power you’ll need, thanks to built-in machine learning models. The system then uses a genetic algorithm to figure out the best combination of solar panel size and battery capacity to meet your energy needs while keeping costs low.
The application runs through a simple and responsive user interface (built with PyQt6), offering features like real-time graphs, a weather dashboard, and system control panels. It also supports SCADA-style monitoring, so users can see power generation, battery status, and energy demand in real time. Overall, this tool is designed to be both smart and user-friendly, making it useful not
just for engineers and developers, but also for students, researchers, and organizations working on renewable energy solutions.

This study examines the determinants of tax effort in Nigeria, focusing on the effect of economic development, economic structure, natural resource dependence, and institutional quality on the country's ability to mobilize domestic revenue. The research
investigates how these factors collectively influence tax performance within the framework of the Fiscal Capacity Theory, which posits that both economic fundamentals and institutional strength determine a government's revenue-generating potential. The
study adopts a survey research design. Primary data were collected from 384 respondents drawn from key fiscal and regulatory institutions, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the National Planning Commission. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability tests, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to determine the direction and significance of the relationships between the variables. The empirical findings reveal that economic development, economic structure, and institutional quality exert positive and significant effects on tax effort, indicating that higher growth, diversification, and governance quality improve revenue mobilization and compliance. Conversely, natural resource dependence has a negative and significant influence on tax effort, suggesting that overreliance on oil revenue undermines fiscal sustainability. The model recorded an R 2 ofO. 782, showing that the explanatory variables jointly account for 78.2% of the variations in tax effort. Based on these results, the study recommends that policymakers promote economic diversification, strengthen institutional quality, and reduce dependence on natural resources to enhance Nigeria's tax effort. Furthermore, reforms should prioritize transparency, accountability, and digitalization of tax administration to improve efficiency and public trust.

Diabetes mellitus has been increasingly linked with ocular complications, particularly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a key risk factor for glaucoma. Understanding the relationship between blood sugar level and Intraocular pressure is critical for early detection and prevention of vision-threatening conditions. This study aimed to determine the relationship between fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels and intraocular pressure and assess the influence of age and gender on these parameters among adults in Benin City, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adults aged 41–80 years with the mean age (61.5 years) attending St. Teresa Specialist and Laser Eye Center, Benin City. Fasting blood sugar was measured using a glucometer, and intraocular pressure was assessed using an iCare tonometer. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22, applying t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between fasting blood sugar and intraocular pressure (r = 0.658, p = 0.01). Males exhibited higher mean IOP (17.44 mmHg) than females (15.49 mmHg; p = 0.047), while older age groups (61–80 years) showed significantly higher FBS (126.84 mg/dl) and IOP (18.72 mmHg) values compared to younger participants (p < 0.05). It is concluded from this study that elevated fasting blood sugar is significantly associated with increased intraocular pressure, with age and gender acting as modifying factors. Routine IOP screening is recommended for individuals with elevated blood glucose, regardless of diabetic status.

Background/Aim: Motivational interviewing (MI) is increasingly recognised as a valuable communication approach in healthcare because it addresses key challenges such as patient engagement and sustained behaviour change. Although evidence supports MI as an effective strategy for promoting health behaviour change across conditions such as substance use and medication adherence, its implementation faces several barriers and facilitators that influence uptake and long-term success. This study therefore aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators to MI utilisation among healthcare providers.
Methods: To identify eligible studies, the following electronic databases were used for literature search: EMBASE, MEDLINE via OVID, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SCOPUS, and Web of Science Core Collections. Furthermore, AJOL, ProQuest thesis and dissertation, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) website and Google Scholar were also searched for grey literature. The reference lists of included studies were further screened for eligible studies. The inclusion criteria comprised of studies published in English Language, involving all healthcare (physicians, pharmacists, psychologists, nurses, physiotherapists and social workers), articles addressing the barriers and facilitators to the utilisation of MI and in context of healthcare settings. Screening and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved with a consensus. Results were summarized using narrative synthesis following PRISMA-Scr framework.
Result: A total of 19 studies including 456 participants were included in this review. Majority of the participants were nurses as 11 out of the 19 studies included nurses as participants. Out of the included studies, 14 were qualitative studies, 1 randomised controlled trial (RCT), 1 mixed methods design, 1 quantitative design, 1 practice change project and 1 descriptive study. The narrative synthesis identified several barriers and facilitators to the use of motivational interviewing (MI). The most common barrier was the lack of time required to deliver MI effectively. Other identified barriers included insufficient provider training, high workload, patient-related challenges, and practitioner-related factors. Key facilitators reported were the availability of training, practice, support, and supervision, effective communication, readiness or tension for change, alignment of MI with existing practices (goodness of fit), and a supportive work environment.
Conclusion: This scoping review highlights key barriers and facilitators to healthcare providers’ use of MI. Barriers include time constraints, inadequate training, and heavy workloads, while facilitators include adequate training, organizational support, supervision, and positive work environments. Addressing these challenges can enhance MI’s effectiveness in improving patient outcomes.
Registration: The review protocol was developed, registered and made publicly available through the Open Science Framework database with the protocol registration link- https://osf.io/5pqh8
Keywords: Motivational interviewing, barriers, facilitators, healthcare providers, scoping review.

BACKGROUND
Sexual coercion among undergraduate students is a significant public health issue affecting physical health, mental wellbeing, and academic performance. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, prevalence, and factors influencing sexual coercion among undergraduate students in selected universities in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 509 undergraduate students from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City. A structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES), the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA), and the WHO sexual violence framework was used for data collection. Multi-stage sampling was employed. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27.0 at a 95% confidence interval, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The mean age of respondents was 21.5 ± 3.2 years; 269/509 (52.8%) were female and 240/509 (47.2%) were male. Regarding knowledge of sexual coercion (n=398), 310/398 (78.0%) had good knowledge while 88/398 (22.0%) had poor knowledge. The majority of respondents, 416/509 (81.7%), held a negative (unfavourable) attitude towards sexual coercion, while 93/509 (18.3%) held a positive (accepting) attitude. The lifetime prevalence of sexual coercion was 244/509 (47.9%). The most common forms were unwanted touching (158/509, 31.0%), transactional coercion (promises of money, gifts, or grades for sex; 90/509, 17.7%), threat of breakup for sex (72/509, 14.0%), and fear to refuse sexual advances (63/509, 12.4%). Female students had significantly higher prevalence than males (146/269, 54.3% vs. 98/240, 40.8%; χ² = 9.182, p = 0.002). Prevalence increased significantly with level of study, from 38/149 (25.5%) at 100 level to 64/97 (66.0%) at 300 level (χ² = 50.731, p < 0.001). Logistic regression identified alcohol or drug use by students as a significant independent predictor of sexual coercion (OR = 2.097; 95% CI = 1.145–3.838; p = 0.016). Male sex (OR = 2.054; 95% CI = 1.328–3.179; p = 0.001), increasing age (OR = 1.147 per year; 95% CI = 1.053–1.250; p = 0.002), and studying Medicine (compared to Law) (OR = 0.401; 95% CI = 0.203–0.791; p = 0.008) were also significant predictors.
CONCLUSION
Sexual coercion is highly prevalent among undergraduate students in Benin City, affecting nearly one in two students, with unwanted touching, transactional coercion, and psychological pressure being the commonest forms. Female students, older students, and those in higher levels of study are at greater risk. Alcohol/drug use significantly increases vulnerability. These findings
underscore the urgent need for mandatory, sustained consent education programmes beginning at 100 level, strengthened campus security and policy enforcement, accessible confidential reporting mechanisms, and targeted interventions addressing substance use and peer norms. University administrations must fully implement the Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention
and Prohibition) Act of 2025, establish Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees, and provide comprehensive survivor support services.
KEYWORDS
Sexual coercion, Undergraduates, Knowledge, Attitude, Prevalence, Benin City, Nigeria

The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of weaner rabbits fed diets containing Guinea Grass Leaf Meal (GGLM) as a replacement for soybean meal. The experiment aimed to determine the effects of substituting soybean meal with varying levels of GGLM on growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, and protein utilization in weaner rabbits. A total of twenty (20) weaner rabbits of mixed breeds, aged between 6–8 weeks and averaging 820 g in weight, were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% GGLM, respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice with two rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Diet 1 (0%) served as the control with soybean meal as the primary protein source, while soybean meal was progressively replaced with GGLM at 10%, 20%, and 30% in diets 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Data were collected on average initial and final live weight, weekly feed intake, weekly weight gain, weekly protein intake, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. The results indicated that the inclusion of GGLM had significant (p<0.05) effects on the performance parameters of the weaner rabbits. Average final live weight decreased slightly with increasing inclusion of GGLM, ranging from 1628.40 g in the control to 1528.80 g at 30% inclusion, while weekly feed intake and weekly weight gain followed a
similar trend, decreasing as GGLM levels increased. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved at moderate inclusion (20%), indicating better feed utilization at that level, while the protein efficiency ratio (PER) was highest at 20% inclusion, suggesting that
rabbits efficiently utilized dietary protein at moderate levels of GGLM replacement. However, at 30% inclusion, performance declined, possibly due to increased fiber content and reduced digestibility of the diet.

This study examined the effects of gambling on the lifestyle of undergraduate students in the University of Benin. The research was motivated by the increasing popularity of online betting platforms and the rising involvement of youths in gambling activities across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. A total of 150 respondents were randomly selected from various faculties within the university, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Simple descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were employed to analyze the responses. Findings revealed that gambling is a prevalent activity among undergraduate students in the University of Benin, with many students spending a significant portion of their financial resources on betting activities. The study identified peer influence, economic hardship, the desire for quick money, and promotional incentives by betting companies as major factors motivating students to engage in gambling. Furthermore, results showed that gambling negatively affects students’ academic performance, leading to poor concentration, reduced study time, and declining grades. The study also established that excessive gambling contributes to psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and emotional distress, while also straining interpersonal relationships and promoting social isolation. Financial consequences such as debt, mismanagement of funds, and increased dependence on external support were also reported among frequent gamblers. The study concludes that gambling poses significant social, psychological, academic, and financial risks to undergraduates, despite being perceived by any as a harmless recreational or income-generating activity. It recommends that the university establish more awareness campaigns and counselling programs to address gambling addiction, enforce stricter campus policies regulating gambling activities, and introduce skill acquisition programmers to provide sustainable financial alternatives for students. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to monitor their wards’ financial habits and provide adequate support to reduce reliance on gambling income.

Radiographic imaging has become a crucial element in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal injury to direct treatment. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used on 105 football players in Benin Metropolis. The structured questionnaire included the data collected concerning the history of injury, imaging use, and radiological service satisfaction. The purposive sampling was employed, and SPSS version 29 was applied to examine the data. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and Chi-square tests were used to establish associations at a level of significance of 0.05. About 97 of 105 players (92.4) said that they had suffered sports related injuries. Ankle 46 (43.8%) and knee 37 (35.2) were most affected with muscles strain 54 (51.4) and sprain 28 (26.7) being key types of injury. The most frequently used imaging modalities were Xray 41 (39.0) and CT 36 (34.3), whereas the MRI and ultrasound were underutilized. The association was significant between age and frequency of injury (p = 0.011) and between training frequency and body part affected (p = 0.000), not type of injury and the use of imaging (p = 0.052). Radiological services also satisfied about 83 (79.0) players, 77 (73.3) played that imaging promoted their recovery process. Radiographic imaging is helpful in accurate diagnosis, treatment choice, and management outcome in sports related injuries. It is highly suggested that radiographers should be integrated into sports medical teams and greater availability of advanced imaging modalities should also be provided.
Keywords: Sports trauma, radiological examination, football, computer tomography, and radiologist.