This study investigates the synergistic effect quarry dust, as a partial replacement for fine aggregate, and micro-silica, used as a partial replacement for cement, on the compressive and flexural strength of high-strength concrete (HSC), with a target grade of 80 MPa. Twenty mixes were produced using a combined percentage replacement of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, across four water-binder ratios of 0.20, 0.24, 0.28, and 0.32. Compressive strength was measured at curing ages of 3, 7, 14, and 28 days, while flexural strength (modulus of rupture) was determined experimentally on prisms at 28 days and further compared against values predicted by the Eurocode 2 and ACI 318-11 code equations. Results showed that strength increased with percentage replacement up to an optimum of 10% PR, beyond which it declined, with the highest 28-day compressive strength of 73.40 MPa and highest flexural strength of 5.85 MPa both recorded at 10% PR and a water-binder ratio of 0.20, representing increases of 27.43% and 16.30% respectively over the control mixture. The Eurocode 2 equation consistently overestimated experimental flexural strength by approximately 10%, while ACI 318-11 underestimated it by approximately 17–18%. Result also revealed that combined 10% quarry dust and micro-silica replacement at a water-binder ratio of 0.20 produced the maximum strength performance and is recommended for high-end structural applications.

Background: Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynecological cancers, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 3.0–11.4 per 100,000 women worldwide [1], and is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage with poor survival outcomes. Accurate staging is essential for treatment planning, and CT is the recommended imaging modality for assessing the extent of ovarian malignancy and tumour resectability. The purpose of this study was to correlate pre-operative CT scan findings with surgicopathological staging in patients with ovarian cancer. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Gynecological Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to December 2021. A total of 100 women with suspected ovarian cancer underwent pre-operative CT and surgery, with CT, per-operative, and histopathological findings compared according to the 2014 FIGO staging system. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0; p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among 100 patients, mean age was 43.2 ± 11.7 years; most were aged 41–50 years (38, 38.0%), urban (66, 66.0%), and poor socioeconomic status (44, 44.0%). All had a lower abdominal lump (100, 100.0%), and anemia was present in 72 (72.0%). Most masses were unilateral (72, 72.0%) and solid (78, 78.0%). Stage IA predominated on CT (60, 60.0%), peroperative (42, 42.0%), and histopathological (41, 41.0%) staging. Papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma was most common (64, 64.0%). CT sensitivity was 100.0% for IA, IIIB, and IIIC. Conclusion: Pre-operative CT scan is a useful tool for staging ovarian cancer, although early-stage disease may be under-staged compared with surgicopathological assessment.

Background: Haemorrhage dominates discussion of early puerperal morbidity, but other complications arising in the first 24 hours after delivery also contribute to maternal illness. Their distribution across maternal risk factors in Bangladeshi tertiary hospitals is poorly documented. This study aimed to describe the types of non-haemorrhagic immediate puerperal complications and their distribution according to maternal risk factors. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study with prospective data collection was carried out at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from July to December 2009. Three hundred women aged 15 to 45 years, selected randomly from those admitted for delivery, were observed for 24 hours after birth. Women with teenage pregnancy, grand multiparity, severe anaemia, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, antepartum haemorrhage, prolonged or obstructed labour or prolonged rupture of membranes formed the risk group. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: Twenty-three non-haemorrhagic complications (7.66%) were recorded, 22 (7.33%) in the risk group and 1 (0.33%) in the non-risk group. Tachycardia was the most frequent complication (16 events), followed by paralytic ileus (4) and urinary retention (3). Prolonged rupture of membranes accounted for 8 events, obstructed labour for 6, prolonged labour for 4, antepartum haemorrhage for 3 and severe anaemia for 1. No complication was reported with age below 18 years, grand multiparity or pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Lower uterine caesarean section was performed in 58.00% of the risk group and 4.60% of the non-risk group. Conclusion: Non-haemorrhagic immediate puerperal complications were concentrated among women with identified risk factors, particularly prolonged rupture of membranes, obstructed labour and prolonged labour. Close observation of such women in the first 24 hours is warranted.

Background: Aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare variant of benign fibrous histiocytoma characterized by fibrohistiocytic spindle cells, blood-filled pseudovascular spaces, and hemosiderin deposition. Clinically, it may mimic vascular or melanocytic lesions, posing a diagnostic challenge. We describe the clinicopathological features of 18 cases of AFH and discuss its differential diagnosis. Methods: Archival records from a tertiary institution were searched for cases diagnosed between January 2009 and December 2021. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and immunohistochemical preparations were independently reviewed by two soft tissue pathologists, and clinical, histopathological, and follow-up data were systematically analyzed. Results: The 18 patients had a mean age of 37.1 years (range, 14–64 years), with a slight male predominance M:F = 5:4 (10:8). Preoperative diagnoses were documented in 7 cases (38.9%), most commonly hemangioma (n=3). The back/scapular region was the most frequent site (33.3%), followed by the lower limb (22.2%). Grossly, lesions demonstrated a solid-cystic appearance with blood-filled spaces. Histologically, non-endothelialized blood-filled spaces were surrounded by bland spindle and histiocyte-like cells, most commonly arranged in a storiform pattern (55.6%). Mean hemosiderin deposition was 40.6%. Atypical/monster cells and Touton giant cells were each identified in 35.3% of cases, collagen trapping in 52.9%, and staghorn vessels in 23.5%. Resection was performed in 72.2% of cases. Among 12 patients with available follow-up (4–20 years), local recurrence occurred in 2 (16.7%). Conclusions: AFH can closely mimic vascular and melanocytic tumors. Recognition of its characteristic histopathological features, supported by targeted immunohistochemistry, is essential for accurate diagnosis and avoidance of overtreatment.

Background: Neonatal hypoglycaemia is a common metabolic abnormality in newborns and may be associated with neurological injury and death, particularly in high-risk neonates. This study assessed the burden and clinical correlates of low blood glucose among neonates admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed SCBU records from 1 January to 31 December 2024. Of 623 records identified, 219 neonates had sufficiently complete records and documented blood glucose values for analysis. Data were analysed with SPSS version 27. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages, and associations were assessed using chi-square tests. Hypoglycaemia was defined in the source dataset as blood glucose ≤40 mg/dL, with values <30 mg/dL classified as severe and 31–40 mg/dL as moderate. Results: Of the 219 neonates analysed, 121 (55.3%) were male. Preterm low birth weight was the commonest recorded diagnosis (52.5%), followed by neonatal sepsis (37.4%) and neonatal asphyxia (10.0%). Severe hypoglycaemia occurred in 88 (40.2%) and moderate hypoglycaemia in 80 (36.6%), giving a prevalence of 76.7% among analysed neonates. Ninety neonates (41.1%) died. Blood glucose category was significantly associated with mortality (χ²=15.91, p=0.007) and diagnosis (χ²=24.21, p=0.0071), but not with gestational-age category (χ²=30.18, p=0.067) or sex (χ²=5.0, p=0.60). Conclusion: Low blood glucose was frequent among neonates with complete glucose records admitted to this tertiary SCBU and was associated with mortality and diagnostic category. The findings support early glucose surveillance and prompt management in high-risk admitted neonates, while the retrospective, selected-record design limits generalization of the prevalence estimate.

The study analyzes a direct relationship between solar radiation, temperature and an inverse relationship with rainfall and relative humidity and also sunshine. The study scrutinizes the reliability and validity of existing analysis that focus on the various environment factors on photovoltaic (PV) system's performance for the first time four environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and sunshine). Affecting the system performance are investigated simultaneously. The study area is Southern Delta University, Ozoro. Ozoro is the Headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. During the dry season (October -March), the average temperature in Rainfall in Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro ranged between 26.48 - 27.790C and in rainy season (April - September), the average monthly temperature ranged 25.01 27.150. Temperature in Ozoro is low at night and high in the day as a result of the external heat supply by the sun.

This study examined entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a predictor of graduate venture performance in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Driven by structural unemployment and the necessity for economic self-reliance, graduate-led enterprises have become critical nodes for economic development; however, many suffer from premature failure due to low psychological resilience and poor risk management. The study specifically investigated the predictive influence of opportunity recognition self-efficacy and resilience self-efficacy on the performance of graduate ventures in Akwa Ibom State. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The target population comprised 1,850 graduate entrepreneurs operating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Akwa Ibom State. A sample size of 329 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Data collection was carried out using a structured instrument titled "Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Graduate Venture Performance Questionnaire (ESEGVPQ)". The instrument was validated by experts in Business Education and Psychometrics, yielding an overall Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.86. Data were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while simple linear regression analysis was deployed to test the null hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that opportunity recognition self-efficacy exerts a significant predictive influence on graduate venture performance, despite variances in lower-level task execution. Furthermore, resilience self-efficacy was shown to significantly predict venture survival and overall performance metrics. The study concluded that psychological capital, specifically task-specific self-efficacy, is a strong determinant of entrepreneurial outcomes. It was recommended among others, that tertiary education institutions embed experiential psychological training into entrepreneurship curricula, and that local business incubators provide targeted mentorship frameworks to fortify the cognitive resilience of graduate startup owners.