The voluntary religious undertaking of fasting has attracted scientific, religious and popular interest due to its supposed health benefits. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of intermittent fasting on such parameters as body weight, blood glucose, uric acid and blood lipid profile among healthy volunteers.Seventy-five consenting Muslim medical students resident in the medical students’ hostel of the College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria were recruited during the month of Ramadan 1428AH corresponding to September 2007. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical indices including plasma glucose, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and uric acid were evaluated a week before, three weeks into and a month after Ramadan.BMI showed significant difference in all subjects during and after Ramadan fasting, however the body weight and BMI parameters were insignificant in gender analysis. We also recorded no overall changes in total cholesterol, TG and LDL during Ramadan. However, significant increase in HDL and a slight increase in plasma glucose levels were noted during Ramadan. Further, there weresignificant increases in TG level during Ramadan and in both TG and total cholesterol after Ramadan in females. However, the atherogenic index decreased in males. BMI, total cholesterol, LDL, uric acid and atherogenic index were all decreased in overweight subjects.Females demonstrated increases in TG before Ramadan and in both TG and total cholesterol after Ramadan. Differences in the levels of physical activity, eating pattern and the fact that not all females completed the Ramadan fasting may be responsible for this observation

Since independence in 1960 from British colonial rule, the various leadership of Nigeria have adopted various developmental strategies with view to reduce or to some extent do away with poverty but it could not, due to the complex nature of the country‟s poverty which can be termed as chronic. This is because poverty in Nigeria is persistent. It is estimated that up to 70% of Nigerians are living below poverty line. Nigeria has been branded by the international community as the second most corrupt nation in the World. For three consecutive years, 2000, 2001 and 2002, it has maintained that unenviable position. The rating came up as a consequence of several failed attempts by the administration to wipe out corruption and poverty or reduce them to a tolerable level in the polity. It is absolutely frustrating when one realizes the immense potentials in Nigeria. Sixteen years is enough time for any administration to sort out the fundamental problem of the country (poverty). All the recent poverty alleviation and development programs and initiatives are geared toward realizing the number one (1) Millennium Development Goal (MDGs), which is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by the year 2015. We have passed the deadline to the target of MDGs, these policies and programs are judged to be unsatisfactory and inadequate in meeting the MDGs. This therefore, necessitates the need for an elaborate study to critically assess the interplay between corruption, development and chronic poverty in Nigeria. The question to be asked is what are the problems of Nigeria‟s poverty reduction policies and development plans? To answer this fundamental question the paper clearly argued that Nigeria does not need any new policy on development and chronic poverty. All it needs is seriousness in terms of the implementation of existing policies to address the chronic nature of the Nigerian poverty. Nigerians need to sit up with a view to addressing corruption in all its ramifications. This is the only way Nigeria would get out of the shackle of chronic poverty and by extension development in general.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in Indian population which has a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to find the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25-OH-D) level with Carotid artery Intima Media Thickness(CIMT)-a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, in type-2 diabetics, a high risk group for cardiovascular disease. Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus patients attending to OPD of PGIMER & Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, were enrolled in the study. Winter serum 25-OH-D levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay using IDS 25-OH-D EIA kit. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-OH-D level less than 50 nmol/L.CIMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography, on Philips HD 11 machine with transducer L12-3 MHz. CIMT >0.8 mm was considered abnormal. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of increased CIMT.100 patients were studied (55 men and 45 women)with mean age 52.9 ± 11.1 years and mean duration of diabetes 9.2 ± 6.2 years. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 71% in study group. Increased CIMT was seen in 25% patients. Serum 25-OH-D level was associated inversely with CIMT on univariate regression analysis (r2=0.61, p-value<0.001). On multivariate regression analysis, low serum 25-OH-D level was found to be independent predictor of increased CIMT (p-value<0.001) even after adjustment for risk factors showing association with CIMT on univariate analysis (p value<0.005,relaxed upto p value<0.2) which included serum 25-OH-D level, sex, smoking, HbA1c and HDL cholesterol. This regression model accounted for 65%(r2=0.65) of total variance in CIMT. Serum 25-OH-D level has an independent inverse association with Carotid Intima Media Thickness-a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis

The purpose of this study was to develop a Pastoral approach for the Synoptic Problem, a simplified approach of studying the Synoptic Gospels with Church members. This study was done in Musoma town Tanzania to help Seventhday Adventist (SDA) members harmonize between their belief on trustworthiness of the word of God and the differences and similarities which emerge in the story of Gadarene demoniac in the Synoptic Gospel. The research design employed qualitative approach. The researcher used contextual Bible Study theory to re-read the Gadarene demoniac story whereby interviews and focus group discussions followed thereafter. 368 church members were divided to 46 Focus Groups Discussions with 8 members per each group, four Pastors were put in one session of Focus Group Discussion and four church leaders were interviewed separately in their offices. The researcher did a Biblical exegesis for the linkage of SDA church belief and Biblical context. Research finding revealed that, SDA church in Musoma believes that writers who had different education, background and personality were inspired with thoughts were led to compose their canonical gospels focusing on the need of their audiences. The writing process made them focus on specific issues which in turn affected their style, form, rhythm, occurrences, inclusion and vocabulary of each presenter and finally differences and similarities came upon their canonical gospels. Further study of the pastoral approach for the Synoptic Problem in the scope of other denominations and relationship between inspiration and the free use of intellectual knowledge of Biblical authors are recommended.

Carrying angle has been studied by many researchers and it is being studied to correlate with different parameters like age, sex, height and side. The study is aimed to determine the normal carrying angle between right and left hands. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 medical students of Devdaha Medical College and Research Institute, Rupandehi district, Nepal from October 2016 to December 2016. Carrying angle of each individual was measured by using manual metal goniometer and height was measured by using measuring tape. The data was recorded in MS Excel 2007 and further statistical analysis was performed for the descriptive statistics and independent sample t-test was performed to compare the means of the study population by using SPSS 16. In the present study, participants were in the age group of 18-25 years with the mean age of 20.90 ± 1.45 years including 21.98 ± 1.45 years in male and 20.37 ± 1.12 years in female. The mean carrying angle in right hand was 10.64º ± 2.57 whereas 9.69 º ± 2.52 in the left hand with the significant differences between right and left hand. There were no significant differences between age, sex and height with the carrying angle in the study. The mean carrying angle value was higher in case of males than in females. This study is helpful for the anatomists, anthropologists, cosmetic surgeons and orthopaedic surgeon for the correction of the fractures and other associated elbow disorders.

Over the years, Poverty alleviation programs and policies have evolved, including a succession of policies and plans by Government, Non-Governmental Organizations and International Donor Agencies. The Nigerian Government at different times introduced policies and plans with a view to addressing the problem of poverty but the problem still persists. In spite of these various efforts as intensified by both internal and external systems, of poverty has become not only more complicated but almost impossible due largely to a number of challenges notable among which are both individual and institutional. This amplifies that the efforts have proven too inadequate to reduce poverty, hence persistence of the scourge in the country. Using poverty indicators such as literacy level, access to safe water, nutrition, infant and maternal mortality, and the number of people living on less than $1 a day, Nigeria is found to rank among the 25 poorest nations in the world below Kenya, Ghana and Zambia. It is obvious that from 1960 till date, all Nigerian governments, be it military or civilian, have come up with one form of poverty reduction or alleviation programme or another, meant to reduce the level of poverty, give hope and succor to the poor and, or move towards some sort of wealth creation. Strategies, policies and plans have been formulated and executed over these years. These programmes have been judged by scholars not to be satisfactory. Inspite of all such previous government efforts at alleviating poverty in Nigeria, the incidence and severity of poverty has continued to pose formidable threats to the welfare of Nigerians and sustainable development of the country. To this end, a myriad of problems have been identified as constraints on poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria. Despite the relevance of religion in solving developmental problems of Nigeria little is done to explore in the development literature Islamic strategies of alleviating poverty. Against this backdrop, the paper seeks to explore the Islamic strategies of alleviating poverty.

This research investigated the surface and ground water quality in the Sokoto-Rima floodplain and determined the human health implications of consuming it. Five sample points were selected systematically, and at each sample point, three samples were taken each from ground (tube well), and surface (river) water. The surface water was taken from the river Rima at hundred meters interval, and the sampling was repeated after 20days. Thus a total of 30 samples (1st batch-15 and 2nd batch-15) were collected. Data obtained from laboratory were tested for correlation (Pearson correlation) and the difference (paired t-test) between surface and ground water. Results showed that positive correlation exist in pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Dissolve Solid (TDS), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Nitrate (NO3-), Sulphate (SO42-), while negative correlation in Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chloride (Cl-), Phosphate (PO43-) and Potassium (K+). Result also showed that the mean difference of pH, BOD, PO43- and K+ are significant at p<0.01 (2-tailed) and Cl- is significant at p< 0.05 (2-tailed). TDS, Cl, PO4, NO3, SO4 and K are within the WHO and NESREA standards, while, DO, BOD and TSS (in NESREA) are above the standards. The Most Probable Number (MPN) method was used to find the number of coliforms, and Isolate method was used to identify the name of the coliforms found in each sample area. Result showed that in surface water Citrobacter freundii was found in all the study area except in Boye and Escherichia coli were only found in Boye. While, in groundwater Escherichia coli was found in two sample areas. The study therefore, concludes that the quality of the surface and ground water in the area is a determinant of the soil characteristics and has a positive relationship with the health characteristics of the surrounding communities. The research also concludes that surface and groundwater in the study area are not safe for human consumption unless proper water treatment and sanitation is done.

In Less Economically advanced nations, more than half of their populations live in rural areas and majority depend on agriculture for survival. Post- harvest food loss in Africa represents a multi-faceted challenge that reduces the income of approximately 470 million farmers. Agriculture plays a key role in the overall economic performance of Jakiri Sub Division, in terms of its contribution to food, source of livelihood and in providing employment. Using secondary and primary data, participatory approaches through field observation, questionnaires and interviews, this study investigates post-harvest options of farmers in Jakiri Sub-Division. Results revealed that agricultural production techniques have evolved and improved over the years, however very little has been done to improve post-harvest management. Findings equally showed that Postharvest options of farmers are inadequate due to a complexity of reasons such as the absence of sufficient technologies/infrastructures, inadequate capital and technical knowhow and above all refusal to adopt appropriate techniques. Consequently this results in large quantities of harvested food produce being lost thereby representing a waste of time, effort and resources. Overcoming these socioeconomic constraints through the development of infrastructures, increased training and sensitization of the local population is an important step in achieving food security and also it would go a long way to increase the efficiency of resources used in food production.

The aim of this research is to assess the soils and water quality along Sokoto-Rima Floodplain; the correlation analysis was used to find out the degree of relationship between pollutants in soils and water. Seven sample points was selected systematically from the map at 6.13km interval, and in each sample point, three samples were taken each of soils and water from the river at hundred meters interval. A total of 21 samples of each soils and water were taken. The samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis. The results from the analysis show that: Positive correlations exist between soils and river in P and PO4, Mg, Ca, and Fe. R2 (coefficient of determination) values are .124, .013, .053, and .445 respectively. While, negative correlations exist between soils and river in pH, N and NO3, K, and OC and CO3. R2 values are .015, .224, .075, and .027 respectively. The correlation is statistically significant between N and NO3 at 0.05 and also, it is significant in Fe at 0.01 levels.

Abstract: Tax non-compliance reduces tax collection and the tax performance within a country. The Kenyan government has implemented various strategies to bring businesses in the informal sector into the tax bracket. However, available data shows that tax collections from the informal sector are above average but on a declining trend. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of tax compliance in the informal sector in Nyeri Town. Specifically the study aimed to assess how tax rates, attitudes towards government spending, complexity of tax returns and tax enforcement strategies influence tax compliance. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and targeted 715 informal businesses in Nyeri Town. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 143 informal businesses to participate. Researcher-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive methods such as frequency distribution, percentages, mean, were used to summarize and organize data. Chi-square tests and correlation analysis were employed to establish relationships between study variables. Findings were presented using tables of frequencies and percentages. Majority (66%) agreed that there was too much corruption in the government. Attitudes towards government spending (p=0.001) had a significant relationship with tax compliance at 95% confidence level. The study concluded that, attitudes towards government spending, is important predictor of tax compliance in the informal sector. It was recommended that the government should seek to end corruption in all sectors to enhance tax compliance.

Abstract: In the present paper, we introduce the notion of generalized (σ, τ)-i-nderivation in near-ring N and investigate a property involving generalized (σ, τ)-i-n-derivation of a prime near-ring N, which forces N to be a commutative ring. Additive commutativity of a prime near-ring N satisfying certain identities involving generalized (σ, τ)-i-n-derivation has also been obtained.

Abstract: Haematological malignancies represent approximately 7% of all malignant diseases. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an aggressive and fatal disease. AML treatment basically remained unimproved in the last 20 years, and depends upon induction of cytotoxic chemotherapy. An average less than 30% of AML patients survive for long-term. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are currently being investigated for an ever-expanding number of clinical indications based on their tissue-regenerative, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects.The aim of the present work is to detect the effect of human umbilical cord blood-derivedmesenchymal stem cells (HUCB-MSCs) on the expression of the leukaemic inhibitory factor gene (LIF) and on interleukin-10 (IL-10) in AML-patients.The MSCs were separated from HUCB, and co-cultured with samples collected from peripheral blood (PB) of AML-insulted adults prior to chemotherapy. The expression of LIFgene and the IL-10levelwere measured using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques, respectively before and after the co-culture in order to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of the MSCs. The present study revealed that the group of AML cells co-cultured with HUCB-MSCsshowed a significant increase in the expression level of LIF gene compared with the untreated group. The group of AML cells co-cultured with MSCs showed a significant decrease in the IL-10 concentration compared to that of the untreated group.Our data demonstrated thatco-culture of AML with MSCs represents a simple approach to inhibit leukaemic cells in vitro.

Abstract: The present study describes the ten attested signs of the Cretan Protolinear script which render disyllabic phonetic values, unlike the monosyllabic ones of the Consonant-Vowel type, which is the common phonetic pattern for the rest of the signs. The Cretan Protolinear script has been proposed as the script that all the Aegean scripts of Bronze Age evolved from. The linguistic affinity of these disyllabic signs to the Sumerian language is demonstrated, in terms of lexicographic reference, phonetic correspondence and pictographic resemblance. In addition, the description of these signs’ phonetic features is accompanied by valuable cultural information, wherever available.

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to discuss the types of ethnic stereotypes and their role in fuelling ethnic conflicts at Langas estate in Eldoret Township. Ethnographically inspired qualitative research design was adopted for the study. The Relevance theory propagated by Daniel Sperber and Deidre Wilson (1986/95) was used in this study. The following research instruments: structured and semi-structured questionnaires, open-ended questionnaires, oral face-to-face interviews and observation schedules were used for data generation. There was a purposive sample of five clusters of ethnic group concentrations from which a random sample of twenty respondents, four from each group were chosen from a diverse population of the majority and minority communities living at Langas estate in Eldoret Township. The population is estimated to be one hundred and five thousand, one hundred and twenty five (105, 125) people – comprising the Kalenjin, Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo and Kisii communities. Each cohort of respondents was be randomly drawn from the local secondary schools, churches, local leadership, hospitals, administration, Jua Kali industry, hawkers, idlers and public transport. This study’s findings showed that there are three main types of stereotypes by one community against another community in Eldoret Township, namely; tribal, gender and cultural stereotypes. It is hoped that the results of this study will benefit; researchers in applied linguistics, social psychologists, political scientists, policy makers and the public.

Abstract: Necrotizing fasciitis infection (NFE) is a disease characterized by the rapid spread of necrosis of soft tissues and fascias and can be mortal if not properly treated. Predisposing factors include immunosuppressive factors such as diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, hypertension, chronic renal failure and malignancy. Necrotizing fasciitis is rarely localized in the head and neck region. In this study; we presented a case of necrotizing fasciitis in neck region, which we had followed in our clinic with predisposing factors of diabetes and chronic renal failure.