Sokoto State University

This work integrates electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and lithostratigraphic analysis to better understand sedimentary processes and basin development in the Telaga Jatoh Formation. Data were collected using a 2D ERT Wenner configuration with an electrode spacing of 1.5 m. The ERT results highlight the significant geophysical horizons in the outcrops by identifying resistivity variations in the area. Resistivity values indicate that bedded chert (ribbon cherts) ranges from 0 to 100 Omega m, whereas sandstone ranges from 100 to 350 Omega m. However, the depositional context of radiolarian chert indicates that the proliferation of siliceous organisms, the amalgamation of hydrothermal silica with silica dissolved from seawater and riverine sources, and the episodic transport of calcareous allochthonous sediments significantly influenced the deposition and formation of cherts within the trough basin during the Early Carboniferous period. The upward lithological transition from bedded chert to siliceous mudstone above provides evidence for the continuous landward migration of the oceanic plate. This alteration also indicates that the environment is transitioning from pelagic to hemipelagic continental limits. The Telaga Jatoh formation at the Bukit Tobiar outcrop in Keda consists of organically rich black siliciclastic mudstones. These mudstones are interlaced with thin strata of black chert that accumulated in hemipelagic to pelagic settings. The formation comprises five distinct facies, which can be classified into two associations. The basin's deepest and calmest areas (pelagic settings) are characterised by very fine-grained, massive to faintly laminated mudstone interbedded with radiolarian chert. Conversely, lenses of grey mudstone and large sandstone strata imply a shallower, less calm and more proximal offshore environment (hemipelagic settings). Based on the results above, the Telaga Jatoh Formation was characterised using lithostratigraphic and ERT approaches to enhance understanding of its stratigraphic evolution and depositional conditions in the area.

This study demonstrates the effect of CaO-enriched multi-elemental boro-silicate glasses of composition 9Na2O-5BaO-1Fe2O3-(25-x)Bi2O3-40B2O3-20SiO2-xCaO (where x = 0, 4, 8, and 12 wt.%), prepared by the meltquench method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed an amorphous structure, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) revealed concentrations of the elemental composition, respectively. The density decreased from 3.34 to 2.98 g/ cm3, and the molar volume decreased from 51.26 to 30.94 cm3/mol at 0 and 12 wt.%CaO replacing Bi2O3. The increase in the field strength and ionic concentrations further supports an improvement in the rigidity and compactness of the glass with CaO introduction. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrated that the modification of structural units with increasing Ca2+ results in the formation of non-bridging oxygen (NBO) atoms. The mechanical properties, including Young's and longitudinal modulus, increased from 102.268 to 121.218 GPa and 110.618 to 142.817 GPa. While the Poisson ratio decreases from 0.425 to 0.414 with 0 and 12 wt.%CaO replacing Bi2O3, demonstrating the formation of a stronger bond with the borosilicate glass. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) was 5.759 and 4.670 cm2/g, and the half-value layer (HVL) was 0.036 and 0.050 cm at 0.05 MeV with 0 and 12 wt.%CaO replacing Bi2O3. The glass thickness at 0.5 cm revealed a radiation protection efficiency (RPE) of 100 % between photon energies of 0.015 and 0.04 MeV. The radiation shielding effectiveness of the glasses is better than that of some shielding materials, making it a good candidate for shielding radiation where the mechanical strength of glass is of priority.

This study synthesized the current evidence on how SL is being advanced through pedagogical strategies, identified global and regional publication trends, and uncovered challenges educators and policymakers encounter in promoting SL. We conducted a systematic review of 54 peer‐reviewed articles retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE, Wiley and ScienceDirect. All studies were screened and analysed using the EPPI Reviewer tool to ensure rigour and consistency. Findings revealed distinct publication and regional trends, with the majority of studies focused on secondary education and concentrated in North America and Asia. Prominent pedagogical approaches included inquiry‐based learning, problem‐ and project‐based learning, socio‐scientific issues, explicit instruction on the nature of science (NOS) and technology integration. However, advancing SL continues to face several challenges, including rigid curricula, inadequates 10763 teacher preparation and limited access to resources. Three key gaps emerged from the review: limited focus on SL in primary education, a lack of qualitative and mixed‐methods studies, and a striking underrepresentation of research from Africa, South America and Oceania. We recommend that future studies adopt broader methodological frameworks and focus on underexplored educational levels and regions to ensure more equitable and globally relevant SL research. Rationale for this study: Despite growing interest in scientific literacy (SL), existing reviews often focus narrowly on single pedagogical approaches or regions. This study was undertaken to provide a structured synthesis of trends, strategies and challenges shaping SL research in the early 21st century, with attention to methodological and contextual gaps. Why the new findings matter: The findings show that progress in SL is constrained by the lack of instructional strategies and systemic constraints related to curriculum design, teacher preparation and resource availability. This highlights the need to move beyond isolated innovations toward more coherent and context‐sensitive implementation. Implications for researchers and educational institutions: Researchers are encouraged to adopt more qualitative, mixed‐method and context‐responsive designs, particularly in underrepresented regions and primary education. Educational institutions should align curricula, professional development and resource provision to support sustained implementation of inquiry‐oriented and socio‐scientific approaches.

Fabrication of transparent glasses with radiation shielding capabilities has attracted considerable attention in area of radiation protection. This study investigates the structural, optical, and radiation shielding properties of WO3 modified TeO2+10Bi(2)O(3)+15Li(2)O+10ZnO glass fabricated by conventional melt-quench techniques. The glass density increased from 5.812 to 6.352 g/cm3 and the molar volume decreased from 28.66 to 27.93 cm(3)/mol for 5 and 20 mol% WO3 addition, indicating a structural change in the network with less free volume and a more compact stiff glass structure. XRD analysis revealed an amorphous nature and FTIR demonstrated structural stability, suggesting an increase in WO3 level depolymerized [TeO4] by breaking T-O connections, transforming them into additional [TeO3] units, indicating an increase in the non-bridging oxygen (NBO). UV-visible analysis showed WO3 addition introduces higher electronic polarizability and creates localized states within the band gap, narrowing the band gap from 3.05 to 2.95 eV and a rise in refractive index as WO3 increases from 5 to 20 mol%. The radiation shielding performance simulate via MCNP and Phy-X/PSD showed a good agreement with deviation less than 3% within photon energy range of 0.015 to 15 MeV. The glass doped 20 mol% WO3 achieved highest LAC of 481.946 cm(-1) and fast neutron effective removal cross section of 0.116 cm(-1). The photon and neutron attenuation qualities of the fabricated glasses make them suitable for radiation protection applications.

This study focuses on the development of plasmonic self-powered broadband metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors (PDs) capable of detecting ultraviolet (UV), visible (Vis), and near-infrared (NIR) light, which are essential for applications such as communication, imaging, and environmental monitoring. The PDs were fabricated using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) grown on porous silicon (PSi) substrates, decorated with noble plasmonic metal nanoparticles (NPs), including gold (Au), silver (Ag), and their mixtures. The incorporation of these NPs enhances the optical and electrical properties of ZnO through localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), improving light absorption and detection performance across a broad spectrum. Structural and optical characterizations were performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The devices demonstrated excellent stability, repeatability, and rapid response under varied illumination. The PD decorated with mixed Au and Ag NPs exhibited the highest performance, achieving a peak responsivity of 43.57 A/W and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 8509% at 635 nm under a 4 V bias. It also showed the highest sensitivity at a 1 V to 3 V bias. Additionally, the devices demonstrated efficient self-powered operation, indicating their potential for broadband photodetection and high-efficiency solar cell applications.