Volunteer Peer Review Board

This study developed and evaluated a cost-conscious exoskeleton system tailored for rehabilitation of patients with right-hemisphere ischemic stroke. A design science approach was adopted, integrating biomechanical modelling, computer-aided design, additive manufacturing, and modular system integration. The design phase focused on supporting left-sided motor impairments through assisted movement at the hip, knee, and ankle, while maintaining alignment with natural gait patterns. Prototyping was achieved using 3D printing techniques, enabling rapid iteration, customization, and refinement of structural and ergonomic features. Multiple prototype versions were produced and assessed for functional performance, usability, and structural integrity. The results indicated that the developed exoskeleton provided consistent assisted movement suitable for repetitive rehabilitation exercises, although complex coordinated movements still required therapist support. Additive manufacturing significantly reduced development time and allowed for patient-specific adjustments, though material durability required reinforcement in early iterations. A modular production pipeline was further established, linking digital design, fabrication, and assembly processes to support scalable and cost-effective production. While the proposed system demonstrated potential for improving accessibility to rehabilitation technology, its broader implementation may depend on technical capacity, standardization, and quality control measures. Overall, the study suggests that combining targeted biomechanical design with additive manufacturing offers a feasible pathway toward developing adaptable and affordable exoskeleton systems for stroke rehabilitation, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

This study investigated the effects of Pre-Reading Activities on Junior Secondary Students’ Achievement in terms of inferential and critical comprehension in Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area (LGA) in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Two objectives and two research questions were raised, while two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significant. The study employed non-randomize pre-test, post-test quasi-experimental control group research design. The population of the study comprised of 2,467 Junior Secondary 11 students from all the 38 public secondary schools in the study area, with a sample of 100 participant from two intact classes. The experimental group consisted 0f 55 students, while the control group consisted of 45 students. The study employed simple random sampling technique to select the schools that were used for the study. Reading Comprehension Achievement Test (RCAT) was used as the instrument for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics of Mean and standard deviation were employed to answer the research questions and the hypotheses, at 0.05 level of significance using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The findings revealed that the treatment group taught reading comprehension skills using pre-reading activities scored higher than the control group. There was a significant difference in the achievement mean scores of the treatment group against the control group. The study concluded that the implication of the findings showed that teachers of English language could use the pre-reading activities to help in improving students ’achievement in other aspects of English language. It wass recommended among others that teachers of English language should ensure the use of appropriate teaching strategies to activate students’ prior knowledge to enhance their achievement in reading comprehension and interpretation of what they read.

Secondary school mathematics students’ often showed disengagement in the subject. This has caused more harm than good in education industry as these students show low interest in the subject. Therefore, this study examines the pivotal role of local games in stimulating and sustaining secondary school mathematics students’ interest. Local games, rooted in cultural traditions, offer a promising avenue to address these issues by integrating play with mathematical learning. These games, such as Ludo, or traditional puzzle-based activities, inherently involve elements like counting, probability, geometry, and strategic reasoning, making abstract mathematics tangible and enjoyable. By stimulating interest, local games foster intrinsic motivation through hands-on experiences. They help students bridge the gap between their pre-existing notions and scientific explanations by demonstrating the practical application and relevance of mathematics. This approach fosters cognitive conflict, prompting students to critically evaluate their existing ideas and reconstruct their knowledge based on scientific principles. These local games approaches of learning mathematics reduce anxiety, as students associate learning with fun rather than rote memorization. Sustaining interest occurs via repeated engagement; games encourage peer collaboration, competition, and real-life application, leading to long-term retention of concepts like probability, fractions in resource division or patterns in board setups.

Garcinia kola (bitter kola) is widely consumed in West Africa and is traditionally regarded as a hematinic agent capable of improving blood parameters. Despite its extensive ethnomedicinal use, scientific evidence supporting its erythropoietic benefits remains inconsistent. This study evaluated the effect of sub-chronic administration of ethanolic seed extract of Garcinia kola on erythroid indices in healthy male Wistar rats. Thirty male Albino Wistar rats (130–180 g) were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 10 per group). Group A served as control and received standard chow and water only. Group B received 100 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic Garcinia kola seed extract orally for 28 days, while Group C received 200 mg/kg for the same duration. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture and analyzed for hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), and red blood cell (RBC) count. Data were expressed as Mean ± SEM and analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc LSD test, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Sub-chronic administration of Garcinia kola extract produced slight, non-significant reductions in hemoglobin levels and packed cell volume in both treatment groups compared with control (p > 0.05). Red blood cell counts showed minimal variation, with a marginal increase in the low-dose group and a slight decrease in the high-dose group, neither reaching statistical significance. Overall, no dose-dependent erythropoietic enhancement was observed. The findings do not support the traditional claim that Garcinia kola exerts hematinic effects in healthy subjects. At doses of 100–200 mg/kg administered over 28 days, the ethanolic seed extract did not significantly alter erythroid indices in male Wistar rats. While the extract appears hematologically safe within the studied range, its purported blood-boosting properties warrant reconsideration. Further studies involving anemic or diseased models are recommended to determine whether its effects differ under pathological conditions.