This study is on how women's political engagement has changed in the tribal rich state of Arunachal Pradesh. It charts the transition from customary exclusion to leadership positions, illustrating the influence of policy and societal change. The study examines historical roles, representation growth, and advocacy using primary and secondary sources, such as APWWS reports and statistics from the Legislative Assembly and PRIs. It looks at important issues and ways to empower women in politics. Despite advancements brought about by constitutional and legislative backing, full participation is nevertheless impeded by institutional and cultural hurdles, underscoring both the successes and continuous challenges in women's political empowerment.

This study aimed at establishing the relationship between dermatoglyphic patterns and academic performance of students in Madonna University. A total of 200 students voluntarily participated in this study which was selected randomly. Validated questionnaire was distributed to the students, and their right and left hand fingerprints were collected simultaneously using digital scanning method. The data were tested using mood median test, Pearson Chisquare analysis of association and fitness regression model. The mood’s median test of the result showed that the differences in the median score for the different patterns and academic patterns were not significant for the entire right digit (p>0.05) while for the left, all the digits were not showing differences in the patterns and academic performance except the left index digit (p<0.05). Also, the test of association between finger patterns and academic performance was observed to be significant only in the right little finger while the left fingers showed no significant association between the variables. The study also showed no significant difference between ATD angle and academic performance of Madonna University students as Regression Model (R-square value) at zero indicate no accuracy in the prediction (P>0.05). In conclusion this study has shown that there is significant association between finger patterns (especially right little finger and left index finger) and academic performance. However, ATD angle on the other hand did not show any significant difference with academic performance among the students. This implies that while finger patterns may be used to predict academic performance, ATD angle on the other hand may not serve a better tool in predicting academic performance among Madonna University students.

This review investigates the relationship between board composition and the financial sustainability of savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) in Uganda while drawing comparisons to global contexts. Employing an integrative literature review framed by agency theory and resource dependence theory, the study synthesizes scholarly evidence regarding pivotal board characteristics, including independence, diversity, expertise, and size. The findings reveal that board composition significantly influences financial outcomes, such as loan recovery and capital adequacy, in Uganda. Nonetheless, challenges such as limited capacity, political interference, and weak regulatory enforcement impede the implementation of optimal governance practices. International models from Kenya, Canada, and Scandinavia underscore the advantages of independent and professional boards; however, these models are challenging to replicate in Uganda due to contextual disparities. The review concludes that effective board composition remains an underutilized factor in the sustainability of SACCOs. Recommendations include ongoing board training and digital literacy, context-specific performance metrics, enhanced regulatory oversight, and targeted capacity-building initiatives for rural SACCOs. Furthermore, the study highlights a critical need for more qualitative and longitudinal research to explore the intricate governance dynamics in low-resource settings.

Autoimmune diseases arise from dysregulated innate and adaptive immunity, often driven by persistent inflammation, exposure to self-antigens, and defective immune tolerance. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a dual role in host defense and autoimmunity by exposing DNA–protein complexes that activate nucleic acid–sensing receptors. Efficient degradation of extracellular DNA, largely mediated by deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) encoded by the DNASE1 gene, is essential for preventing chronic inflammation. Impaired DNase I activity contributes to systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis by allowing NET accumulation, autoantibody production, and endothelial damage. Parasitic helminths induce eosinophilia and Th2-skewed responses, which modulate neutrophil activity, neutralize inflammatory mediators such as histamine, and interact with extracellular traps. We hypothesize that helminth-induced eosinophil activation protects against autoimmunity by limiting neutrophil-mediated tissue toxicity, enhancing NET clearance via DNase I, and regulating histamine-driven inflammation. In this model, DNASE1 serves as a central integrator of extracellular DNA metabolism, innate immune sensing, and eosinophil–neutrophil cross-talk. Disruption of this axis predisposes to autoimmunity, whereas helminth-driven modulation restores immune tolerance. This framework provides a testable hypothesis linking extracellular DNA clearance, helminth exposure, and autoimmune disease pathogenesis.

Posterior maxillary implant with sinus lifting is technique sensitive. Opting a precise procedure within the clinical constraints will eventually payoff. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyse a specific procedure based on notable clinical parameters apt to an individual subject. A Systematic search on PubMed databases with the MeSH terms “sinus lift, bone gain, trans-crestal, lateral “was performed. Articles were critically reviewed by the examiners basing on inclusion criteria. Letters to the editor, case reports, commentaries, and articles published in languages other than English were excluded. A total of 969 articles presenting various studies conducted in maxillary posterior region with respect to sinus lift were evident. Out of which 21 prospective studies were considered relating to the procedural and background parameters included in the study. The parameters considered were the residual bone height, type of approach and the endo sinus bone gain following a prescribed interval. Due to heterogeneity across all the studies, meta-analysis was not performed. Within the limitations of the study, the results revealed that the selection of type of approach depends on the pre residual bone height. In order to obtain maximum bone, gain lateral approach is to be preferred to other two approaches.

Validated standard-setting methods for multiple choice questions in dental education will ensure fairness and defensibility. However, many tertiary institutions in Nigeria still depend on arbitrary cut off scores. Written assessments in dental and medical education increasingly rely on multiple choice questions (MCQs) that target higher levels of Bloom’s taxonomy rather than simple recall. This study explored the familiarity, training and current practices of clinical dental teachers regarding established standard setting approaches and examined their Angoff judgments for two clinical vignette MCQs designed to assess higher order cognition. A descriptive cross sectional electronic survey was completed by 65 clinical teachers across major dental specialties. Sample reflected established teachers rather than novices. Many respondents reported low familiarity with standard setting method particularly for the Ebel, borderline, contrasting groups and blueprinting methods.44.6% reported attending workshops, courses or seminars on standard setting or MCQ construction, whereas 55.4% reported only self study or no training at all. The pattern across methods suggests that formal training is particularly impactful for familiarity with the Angoff method. Challenges identified included time constraint, insufficient training opportunities, limited access to materials and software, and absence of formal standard setting panels. Participants expressed strong interest in workshops, guidelines, mentorship, and analytical tools. The findings highlight critical gaps in the application of standard setting methods in Nigerian dental education and underscore the need for institutionalised faculty development, clearer definitions of borderline competence, and routine psychometric analysis to enhance the validity and defensibility of MCQ based assessments.

Introduction: Infertility affects about 15% of reproductive-age couples globally and is a highly stressful experience, especially for women facing psychological, social, and cultural impacts. Employment status may influence how women cope with infertility stress. Objective: To compare perceived mental stress levels between working and non-working infertile women attending selected infertility centres in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and to identify associated socio-demographic, reproductive, and social factors. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study from January to December 2022 was conducted at Mohammadpur Fertility Services and Training Center and BSMMU, Dhaka. It involved 110 infertile women (55 working, 55 non-working), aged 20-49, with primary infertility, selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a pretested semi-structured questionnaire including the PSS-10. Height and weight were measured for BMI. SPSS v25 was used for analysis, employing descriptive stats, t-tests, chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, and regression, with p<0.05 as significant. Results: Working women had higher education (43.6% graduates vs 16.4%, p=0.001) and income (39,845 BDT vs 26,735 BDT, p=0.001), married later (22.16 vs 19.99 years, p=0.011), and shorter infertility duration (4.72 vs 6.05 years, p=0.022). Among working women, 61.8% had moderate stress and 36.4% low stress, while among non-working women, 89.1% had moderate stress and 7.3% had low stress (p=0.001). Marriage duration was linked to stress only among non-working women (p=0.031), with >5 years married experiencing higher stress. Caffeine intake correlated with stress only among non-working women (p=0.041). Social stigma was more common among non-working women (60.0% vs 49.1%). Conclusion: Non-working infertile women face higher moderate mental stress than working women. Employment acts as a protective factor via financial independence, social identity, and coping resources. Support services should target non-working women, who encounter greater social stigma, longer infertility duration, and fewer coping resources.

This article critically examines the incorporation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms into the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the reformist objectives underlying their adoption and the absence of a coherent structural and legal foundation to support their effective implementation. While the integration of ADR is intended to decongest courts, promote restorative justice, and enhance access to justice, Nigeria’s criminal justice system remains predominantly adversarial and retributive. This structural orientation generates significant tension between entrenched procedural norms and emerging reformist aspirations. The article identifies persistent legislative gaps, institutional weaknesses, procedural ambiguities, and inconsistencies in policy and practice that undermine the operational viability of ADR in criminal proceedings. It further interrogates the suitability and enforceability of ADR outcomes, particularly in cases involving serious offences where public interest considerations and victims’ rights are paramount. Employing doctrinal and empirical methodologies, the study argues that, in the absence of comprehensive legal reform, institutional capacity building, and normative reorientation of justice sector actors, the adoption of ADR in criminal justice constitutes a largely symbolic reform. The article concludes by proposing a structured framework for the principled integration of ADR into Nigeria’s criminal justice system, grounded in legislative coherence, institutional accountability, and restorative justice values, with a view to ensuring its long-term effectiveness and legitimacy.

Portfolio management in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry is critical for optimizing asset performance, mitigating operational and financial risks, and ensuring long-term profitability. Given the capital-intensive and high-risk nature of upstream petroleum operations, a structured framework integrating asset allocation, diversification, risk governance, performance monitoring, and investment screening is essential. This study examines portfolio management practices within Nigeria’s upstream sector, with emphasis on economic feasibility evaluation tools including Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Payback Period, Profitability Index, and Break-even Oil Price analysis. The study further analyses key portfolio components such as goal setting, action planning, capital allocation, rebalancing, reporting, and risk management within the context of Nigeria’s regulatory and fiscal environment. The findings highlight the importance of integrated financial and strategic decision-making in enhancing investment resilience, optimizing resource utilization, and promoting sustainable sector growth. The study provides a practical framework for policymakers, regulators, and upstream operators seeking to strengthen portfolio performance in a volatile energy market.

This study focused on demonstrating the inhibitory activity of essential oils from four aromatic plants, Cymbopogon citratus, C. giganteus, Eucalyptus globulus, and Syzygium aromaticum, on strains of Candida albicans and Microsporum spp. in the Kisangani region. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and the antifungal activity was evaluated by aromatogram. The results revealed that, on the C. albicans strain, the average inhibition diameter was 3 mm for C. citratus essential oil, 1 mm for C. giganteus and E. globulus essential oils, and 24 mm for S. aromaticum essential oil. Furthermore, on the Microsporum spp. strain, the average inhibition diameter was 16 mm for C. citratus essential oil, 15.5 mm for C. giganteus essential oil, 8 mm for E. globulus essential oil, and 12 mm for S. aromaticum essential oil. This study shows that the inhibition diameters of the essential oils of the plant species studied have different activities on the two fungal strains (C. albicans and Microsporum spp.) tested. However, using Student's t-test, the probability obtained is p-value = 0.01, indicating a very significant difference in sensitivity between the two strains tested.

Background: Pediatric ameloblastoma is an uncommon odontogenic tumor that demonstrates clinicopathologic characteristics distinct from adult cases. Precise delineation of demographic distribution, anatomic predilection, radiographic presentation, and histopathologic subtypes is essential for risk-adapted surgical planning and improved long-term outcomes. Objective: To characterize the demographic, clinical, radiographic, and histopathological features of ameloblastoma in children and adolescents treated at a tertiary referral center in Lagos State, Nigeria, and to evaluate predictors of biologic tumor type. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 63 patients ≤ 18 years diagnosed with ameloblastoma between 2013 and 2025. Data collected included age, sex, duration of symptoms, tumor site, radiographic appearance, and histopathologic classification according to the 2022 WHO criteria. Associations between biologic type [unicystic vs. conventional] and clinical variables were examined using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of conventional ameloblastoma among 59 cases with specified classification. Results: The majority of patients were aged 11–15 years [42.9%], followed by 16–18 years [38.1%]; no cases occurred below 6 years. Males predominated [63.5%]. Tumors overwhelmingly involved the mandible [90.5%], with maxillary lesions accounting for 3.2%. Conventional ameloblastoma constituted 49.2% of cases, unicystic ameloblastoma 44.4%, and 6.3% were unspecified. Plexiform architecture predominated among conventional tumors [25.4% of total cohort], whereas the mural variant was most frequent among unicystic lesions [22.2%]. Radiographic appearance demonstrated a strong association with biologic type: 96.4% of unicystic tumors were unilocular, while 96.8% of conventional tumors were multilocular [p < 0.001]. On multivariable analysis, increasing age [OR 1.328 per year; 95% CI 1.067–1.654; p = 0.011], male sex [OR 4.208; 95% CI 1.516–11.681; p = 0.006], and multilocular radiographic pattern [OR 133.2; 95% CI 12.61–1407.3; p < 0.001] independently predicted conventional ameloblastoma. Duration of symptoms was not significantly associated with biologic type. Conclusion: Pediatric ameloblastoma in this cohort demonstrated teenage predominance, significant male preponderance in conventional tumors, and marked mandibular localization. Conventional ameloblastoma slightly exceeded unicystic ameloblastoma. Multilocular radiographic appearance, older age, and male sex were strong independent predictors of conventional histology. These findings underscore the importance of integrating demographic and imaging features with histopathologic classification to guide surgical decision-making in pediatric patients.

Cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) involves a multidisciplinary and longitudinal care paradigm that provides a rational climate within which collaborative AI systems can buttress clinical decision-making. This study seeks to summarize how Artificial Intelligence AI has been integrated into CLP management by reviewing relevant publications over the past decade while focusing on the deployment of AI into CLP care along the entire care continuum. A pre-existing systematic review analyzing AI in children with CLP was a Foundational Evidence for the study and narratively updated with more recent pediatric craniofacial and orthognathic literature involving CLP subgroups. Other eligible studies had to have leveraged AI or machine learning for CLP-related tasks including diagnosis, landmarking, segmentation, surgical prediction, presurgical orthopedics, or functional outcome evaluation. The results are summarized by clinical domain. Twelve CLP-preferential studies from the prior systematic review, with a number of related craniofacial studies were reported. Across the domains, models tended to record clinically acceptable errors or good classification, reduced clinician’s manual workload, and provided standardized (and readily shareable) outcomes for multidisciplinary participation. The majority of publications were retrospective and single-center with small sample sizes and scant external validation. Collaborative AI in CLP care has advanced to early clinical workflows along the care continuum, essentially augmenting clinician’s expertise. Equity, ethics, and scalability of implementation will require robust multicenter validation, diverse datasets, governance frameworks, and clinician AI literacy

Background: Pilonidal sinus is a chronic disease of the sacrococcygeal region, commonly seen in young adults, and is characterized by midline pits in the natal cleft associated with hair. This study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of the Limberg flap procedure in the treatment of primary pilonidal sinus, including postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and time to return to work. Methods: This prospective observational study at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh (July 2019–August 2020), included 18 adults with primary pilonidal sinus. Excluding acute abscess and recurrent cases, patients underwent Limberg flap surgery under spinal anesthesia. Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were recorded, with follow-up at 2 weeks, and 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 9th months. Data were analyzed using SPSS® 24. Results: Among 18 patients undergoing Limberg flap repair, mean age was 26.9 ± 5.2 years, 88.9% were male, and most had BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m². Single external opening was present in 83.3%. Mean operative time was 88.8 ± 12.7 minutes, hospital stay 4.17 ± 0.7 days, drain removal 3.4 ± 0.7 days, suture removal 12.9 ± 1.7 days, and return to work 12.7 ± 1.8 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (27.7%), with no recurrences. Four of 5 overweight patients developed complications (r = 0.93, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Limberg flap is a safe and effective treatment for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus, offering low recurrence, minimal complications, and rapid recovery.

Background: Saddle block anesthesia is widely used for perianal surgeries; however, postoperative analgesia remains limited when local anesthetics are used alone. This study aimed to compare the effects of intrathecal dexmedetomidine and fentanyl as adjuvants to hyperbaric bupivacaine in saddle block for perianal surgeries Methods: This observational study in the Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, and Intensive Care Medicine at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital enrolled 64 adults (ASA I–II, 40–60 years) undergoing perianal surgery under saddle block, randomly receiving hyperbaric bupivacaine 7.5 mg with fentanyl 15 μg or dexmedetomidine 5 μg; outcomes included duration of analgesia, pain, sensory and motor block, hemodynamics, patient satisfaction, and adverse events, analyzed using SPSS v23.0. Results: Among 64 patients (mean age 45.3 ± 8.5 years; 48 males, 75%), postoperative VAS scores were lower in the dexmedetomidine group at all time points (peak 4 h: 2.75 vs 3.75). Duration of analgesia was longer with dexmedetomidine (278.5 ± 16.2 min) than fentanyl (198.7 ± 25.2 min, P = 0.0001). Motor and sensory block durations were also prolonged (162.5 vs 126.5 min and 292.1 vs 205.6 min, respectively). Hemodynamics remained stable, and adverse events were minimal (hypotension 2/32 vs 0/32; nausea/vomiting 5/32 vs 8/32; pruritus 4/32 vs 0/32). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine in perianal surgeries under saddle block offers longer analgesia, lower pain scores, and faster sensory block onset than fentanyl.

We present the forty-ninth edition of the Handbook of the Jewish Question. It constitutes the most substantial compendium of data available up to 1944 concerning German Jewry. Everything predicted by Fritsch and others has come to pass: the US has been colonized by international Jewry. It remains unclear to me whether the US considers Israel its 51st state or whether Israel considers the US a client state. Colloquially on social media, people refer to it as the Jewish United States of America and the Zionist-Owned Government (ZOG). Given this case and the vast amount of information available, a new edition of the Handbook of the Jewish Question, this time dedicated to the US, is necessary. The fact that Trump's USA is fighting the Jewish wars is a trivial fact that needs no proof. What is curious is Trump's clear desperation to cooperate in the creation of what is called 'Greater Israel' and to provide the weapons for the genocide of the Palestinian people. To match nuclear weapons, the use of biological weapons is seen on the horizon.