Background & Aim: Thyroid nodules represent one of the most prevalent endocrinological findings in clinical practice, with sonographic prevalence ranging from 19–67%. The principal diagnostic challenge lies in non-invasively differentiating malignant from the far more prevalent benign thyroid nodules. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the gray scale, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), and spectral Doppler characteristics of thyroid nodules and to correlate these sonographic features with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings. Methods: This prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Radiodiagnosis, IGGMC, Nagpur, over a 24-month period (November 2017 – November 2019). Eighty consecutive patients presenting with thyroid swelling underwent high-resolution grayscale ultrasonography and color/spectral Doppler evaluation using a Philips HD11XE machine with a 7–12 MHz linear transducer. Nodule characteristics assessed included size, shape, echotexture, margins, halo, internal calcification, cervical lymphadenopathy, and vascularity (CDFI). Spectral Doppler parameters including peak systolic velocity (PSV), pulsatility index (PI), and resistive index (RI) were recorded. Nodules were stratified using the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS). All cases subsequently underwent USG-guided FNAC, and histopathological biopsy where applicable. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 80 patients (78.75% female; mean age 38.4 years), 71 (88.75%) harbored benign and 9 (11.25%) malignant nodules. Malignant lesions were significantly more frequent in patients aged >40 years (p < 0.001). On gray scale, irregular margins (88.89% vs 0%), hypoechogenicity (77.78% vs 8.45%), and the presence of microcalcifications (77.78% vs 42.25%) were strongly associated with malignancy (all p < 0.05). On CDFI, intra-nodular vascularity was present in 100% of malignant versus 19.71% of benign lesions (p < 0.001). Spectral Doppler demonstrated RI > 0.75 in 88.89% of malignant nodules (sensitivity 88.89%, specificity 98.59%; p < 0.001) and PSV ≤ 20.4 cm/s in 100% of malignant lesions (p < 0.001). Combined gray scale + Doppler sonography achieved an overall sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 97% for detection of thyroid malignancy. Complete concordance was achieved between USG and FNAC diagnoses for all malignant lesions. Among malignant lesions, papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular thyroid carcinoma were the most common histotypes, each accounting for 33.33% (3/9 cases), followed by anaplastic carcinoma (22.22%) and medullary carcinoma (11.11%). Conclusion: High-resolution gray scale ultrasonography combined with CDFI and pulse Doppler constitutes a highly sensitive, non-invasive first-line imaging modality for characterizing thyroid nodules. The combination achieves near-complete correlation with FNAC for malignant lesions, potentially reducing the need for unnecessary cytological sampling in clinically benign lesions.

This study seeks to examine the prevalence and determinants of cybercrime participation among undergraduate students of mass communication in federal university Lokoja. The ultimate goal is to foster a safer digital environment within the university community while promoting ethical digital practices among students. Using the Edwin Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory and Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory which provided a nexus between social/digital interaction and learning/adoption of deviant behavior, the study adopted descriptive survey. The finding shows that 100-level students recorded the highest cybercrime participation rate (72%), followed by 200-level (69%). Findings also revealed that peer influence significantly influences cybercrime participation among students and that the significant influence of peers' financial gains on students' interest in cybercrime, indicate that economic pressure is a key factor. The study therefore recommends among other things, the introduction of mandatory first-year cybersecurity education and increased structured academic engagement to reduce idle time and prevent early student involvement in cybercrime. The study also recommends the integration of compulsory cyber ethics and legal awareness courses across all levels while fostering collaboration among institutions, private sector, and government to provide scholarships that alleviate financial pressures and discourage student involvement in cybercrime.

This study examines the statistical analysis of the geological texture and environmental pollution, impact caused by urbanization on students of Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State. Rising percentage of people is living in settlements classified as urban regions, a phenomenon known as urbanization. It typically comes from a natural growth (the excess of births over deaths) or the net migration of individuals from rural to urban regions. However, depending on the criteria applied, different countries have different definitions of what constitutes an urban center. This over congestion in Lokoja is popularly found along Felele express road which had caused serious damage to the road texture and had resulted into multiple accidents that claims life of students of Federal University Lokoja. The rampant accident that claims life and properties along felele Lokoja express road is attributed to the geological effect and Urbanization, a hallmark of development, is rapidly transforming Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State into mega state like Lagos, road is becoming extremely busy, dangerous and congested. Accidents on Lokoja felele road is becoming rampant as while as air pollution by smokes and dangerous exhaust released by moving trucks day and night which affects more and larger crowd than. Effect of geological texture and environmental on road texture (felele express road). The study concluded that statistically that road damage and air pollution has effect on resident health status. The relationship of the effect between road damage/ air pollution and resident health status is statistically significant according to the observation from the respondent’s response. And some recommendation is put forward which includes restructure of Abuja Lokoja Felele Road. The study recommends that more training be undertaken to sensitize farmers to adopt more CSAT and increase awareness of CSAT. It is recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard) improve its extension services, capacitation of farmers through CSA workshop and diversify CSA interventions to other enterprises.

Problem and Objectives: Trends reveal that in Eswatini, there are low quantities of vegetables produced locally and statistics show more volumes of vegetable imports which constitute about 70% of local consumption as a result of local production failing to meet domestic demand. The main objective of this study was to determine the factors affecting Climate Smart Agricultural Technology (CSAT) adoption and intensity among vegetable farmers in Eswatini. Methods: The study used a descriptive quantitative research design to determine the factors affecting the adoption and intensity of adoption of climate-smart agriculture technology among smallholder vegetable farmers. A total of 200 vegetable farmers were purposively sampled from a population of 946 vegetable farmers registered with The National Marketing Board (NAMBoard) and were part of the Market Oriented Climate-Smart Agriculture Project. The study used survey to collect primary data through the use of a questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and Cragg Double Hurdle model. The dependent variables of the model were adoption of CSAT and intensity of CSAT adoption. Adoption of CSAT was measured as a binary variable (1= adopter, 0 = non-adopter) and intensity of adoption of CSAT was measured as a proportion of adopted CSATs given the available CSATs. Findings: The findings of the study indicate that significant factors affecting CSAT adoption decision include age, risk attitude, household size, off-income, and land quality. The results on factors affecting the intensity of CSAT adoption reveal that the adoption intensity is affected by age, access to inputs market, farm size, land quality and frequency of extension contact. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study examined the factors affecting adoption and intensity of adoption of CSAT among vegetable farmers. The findings indicate that CSAT adoption decision depend on access and awareness while CSAT adoption intensity is constrained by structural and institutional factor. The study recommends that more training be undertaken to sensitize farmers to adopt more CSAT and increase awareness of CSAT. It is recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard) improve its extension services, capacitation of farmers through CSA workshop and diversify CSA interventions to other enterprises.