The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is a military university based in Kaduna, Nigeria that trains officer cadets for commissioning into one of the three services of the Nigerian Armed Forces: the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. The duration of training at the Nigerian Defence Academy is five years (four years academic and one year military).
Continuous welded rail (CWR) systems installed on concrete bridges are highly sensitive to restrained thermal expansion, particularly in hot-climate regions where rail temperatures routinely exceed the assumptions underlying conventional design standards. This study presents a validated three-dimensional finite-element and parametric optimisation framework for quantifying track-bridge interaction in bridge-mounted CWR systems subjected to extreme thermal and mechanical loading. The framework is applied to a representative bridge segment along the Kano-Maradi-Dutse Standard Gauge Railway Corridor in northern Nigeria, incorporating Eurocode-consistent thermal actions (uniform temperature change and vertical deck gradients), braking and traction forces, LM71 vertical train loading, nonlinear ballast-fastener restraint, bearing friction, and expansion joint behaviour. Simulations conducted over a realistic rail temperature range of 20–45 °C demonstrate that thermal loading is the dominant driver of longitudinal system response, accounting for more than 70
We present an advanced quantum computational framework using Gaussian spherical quantum dots (GSQDs) embedded in GaAs, integrating both theoretical and AI-driven computational methodologies. By employing Nikiforov–Uvarov Functional Analysis (NUFA) alongside machine learning-assisted modeling, we derived eigenvalues and wave functions for the GSQD system. Our study further explored the energy spectra and Rényi entanglement entropy for various quantum states, revealing a highly ordered and stable system characterized by consistently low entropy values and minimal thermal excitation of higher states. This intrinsic stability highlights the viability of GaAs and Kagome lattice materials for robust quantum computing applications. Additionally, we analyzed the quantum properties of donor impurity states within GSQDs, recalculating eigen energies in effective atomic units using donor effective Rydberg ( R_D ) and donor effective Bohr radius a_D . A comparative evaluation across multiple computational approaches provided a unified assessment of energy predictions and entropy calculations, reinforcing the computational accuracy and consistency of our methodology. By synthesizing results from diverse theoretical and numerical techniques, we established a robust framework for optimizing GSQD-based architectures in quantum information processing. Our findings demonstrate the efficiency of AI-driven computational techniques and NUFA in solving the Class Yukawa and Hellmann Perturbations relevant to quantum computing. Furthermore, we emphasize the significance of Rényi entropy as a key metric for analyzing quantum coherence, entanglement, and uncertainty in low-dimensional semiconductor structures. These insights contribute to the design and optimization of next-generation quantum dot architectures, reinforcing their potential for scalable quantum information technologies.
Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in endemic regions such as Ondo State. Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in reducing the global burden of malaria through intensified control interventions. Although Nigeria contributes a substantial proportion of the global malaria burden, there is limited up to date facility-based data assessing the relationship between community knowledge, socioeconomic factors and confirmed malaria prevalence in Ondo State. This study determined the influence of demographic factors, environmental sanitation, socioeconomic status and preventive measures on malaria prevalence in Ondo State. A facility-based cross-sectional KAP study was conducted among 469 participants recruited from selected health facilities across Ondo State. Well-structured questionnaires were administered to the participants to collect their demographic information and data on malaria knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices. Malaria test was done using Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) kits. Data obtained from the study was analyzed using SPSS version 26, with associations tested by Pearson’s Chi-square. Odds ratios and 95
Oropouche fever is an increasingly significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas of South and Central America, and is primarily spread by midge vectors. The Oropouche virus (OROV) was first identified in 1955 and has been responsible for numerous outbreaks, particularly in urban environments. Despite its prevalence, the disease is often under-reported, making it difficult to fully understand its impact. OROV typically causes febrile illness characterized by symptoms such as headaches, muscle pain, and, occasionally, neurological issues such as meningitis. The ability of the virus to thrive in both forested and urban areas has raised concerns regarding its potential spread to new regions, particularly in the context of climate change. This paper delves into the epidemiology, clinical features, and transmission patterns of OROV, shedding light on the difficulties in diagnosing and managing the disease. The absence of specific treatments and vaccines highlights the urgent need for continued research and development of targeted public health strategies. Advancements in molecular diagnostics and vector control strategies can mitigate Oropouche fever’s impact. However, a comprehensive public health approach involving increased surveillance, public education, and cross-border collaboration is needed, especially as the global climate crisis may expand vector habitats, posing risks to previously unaffected regions.
Objective: Adolescent mental health in the UK is an urgent public health concern, with rising prevalence and persistent inequities in access to care. This systematic review synthesises qualitative evidence on barriers and disparities affecting adolescents in engaging with mental health services across the UK, and interprets findings using the Social-Ecological Model (SEM). Methods: The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidance and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025652782). Peer-reviewed qualitative studies (UK; ages 10 - 19) published between 2014 and 2024 were searched across multiple databases using predefined terms and eligibility criteria. Two reviewers undertook screening with discrepancy resolution procedures, studies were critically appraised, and findings were thematically synthesised. Results: Eight qualitative studies (published 2014 - 2024) were included, comprising 97 adolescent participants across UK settings. Five key barriers were identified: (1) limited mental health literacy, (2) stigma and fear of judgement, (3) lack of culturally competent care, (4) economic deprivation and long waiting times, and (5) gendered norms surrounding help-seeking. Three intersecting disparities (ethnic and cultural, socio-economic, and geographic) further constrained access. Interpreted through the SEM, barriers operated across individual, interpersonal, community/school, and system levels. Conclusion: This UK-specific synthesis highlights multi-level barriers and intersecting disparities that delay or prevent adolescents' access to mental health support. With over 109,000 young people reportedly on mental health waiting lists in England alone, findings underscore the need for targeted reforms to improve timely, inclusive access, strengthening mental health literacy, embedding culturally adapted care, improving geographic accessibility, and integrating support within educational settings.
