Ethnic Survival in Achebe’s Novels: a Postcolonial Perspective

This article examines ethnic survival in three of Chinua Achebe’s novels, using postcolonial theory. He depicts Igbo culture as transforming the impact of colonisation; the self-preservation of the natives as persistent; and colonisation as not being an unmitigated subjugation of the indigenous terrain. Igbo unity and integration challenges Africa’s efforts at nation building. Is Igboland socio-politically stronger than the Kangan nation merely because of monogenic culture, smaller size, and cohesion? Do ethnic loyalty and modernisation hinder tribes from developing a sense of nationhood? Or, could fruitful nationalism be grown from the seeds of ethnicity? How effective is Westernisation in transforming parochialisminto patriotism? These are issues under discussion here

Development of a petroleum pipeline monitoring system for characterization of damages using a Fourier transform

Significant damage to the environment and huge economic losses are potential problems caused by leakage from petroleum pipelines. The occurrence of a leakage in a pipeline throughout its lifetime is very difficult to prevent. To minimize environmental damage and high economic losses, an efficient pipeline monitoring system is required to carry out damage characterization thereby enhancing quick response. The signal processing technique of sampling and reconstruction was adopted and mathematical algorithms for the characterization of damages in pipes were developed using the Fourier transform method. These were simulated with the results showing a good agreement between the shapes and magnitudes of the measured original and reconstructed pulses. The simulation was verified with experiments on the test rig. The results showed an underestimation in the magnitudes of the reconstructed pulses in the range of 40 – 45 %. This problem was solved by using a factor K obtained by dividing the maximum amplitude value of the original pressure pulse by that of the reconstructed pulse. Reconstruction of the measured original pulse at a damage location was achieved from combining the measured pulses from two other close locations using the developed Fourier transform based model. Keywords: Damage Pipeline-monitoring Characterization Fourier transform Reconstructio

Uterine estrogen receptor alpha and progesterone receptor during the follicular and luteal phase in llamas

Estrogen receptor- (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were characterized in different endometrial cell types as luminal and glandular epithelium and stroma during the follicular (FP) and the luteal phase (LP) in llamas. Animals were examined daily by transrectal ultrasonography for the determination of the presence of an ovulatory follicle and ovulation was immediately induced by a GnRH injection (Day 0). Endometrial samples were obtained by transcervical biopsies from the left uterine horn on Day 0 (FP) and 9 days after the GnRH injection (Day 9, LP). Blood samples were collected on these days for estradiol 17 and progesterone determination by RIA. An immunohistochemical technique was used to visualize ER and PR immunostaining which was then analyzed by two independent observers. Total positive area and average staining for ER were affected by the phase of the ovarian activity: in the three cell types there was more positive area and intense staining during the FP than during the LP. Similar findings were observed for PR, more positive stained areas were found during the FP than during the LP in the epithelia. In addition, the three cell types had more intense staining during the FP than during the LP. An effect of the cell type for ER and PR was observed; epithelia (luminal and glandular) had more positive stained areas and greater intensity than stromal cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that in llamas, like in other ruminants, estradiol has a stimulatory effect while progesterone downregulates the ERand PR and that the receptor is cell type specific.Fil: Bianchi, Carolina Paula. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Fisiopatología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Meikle, A.. Universidad de Concepción del Uruguay; ArgentinaFil: Sartore, I.. Universidad de Concepción del Uruguay; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, F.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Fisiopatología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología; ArgentinaFil: Aba, Marcelo Alfredo. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Fisiopatología. Laboratorio de Endocrinología; Argentin

Reducing Interanalyst Variability in Photovoltaic Degradation Rate Assessments

The economic return on investment of a commercial photovoltaic system depends greatly on its performance over the long term and, hence, its degradation rate. Many methods have been proposed for assessing system degradation rates from outdoor performance data. However, comparing reported values from one analyst and research group to another requires a common baseline of performance; consistency between methods and analysts can be a challenge. An interlaboratory study was conducted involving different volunteer analysts reporting on the same photovoltaic performance data using different methodologies. Initial variability of the reported degradation rates was so high that analysts could not come to a consensus whether a system degraded or not. More consistent values are received when written guidance is provided to each analyst. Further improvements in analyst variance was accomplished by using the free open-source software RdTools, allowing a reduction in variance between analysts by more than two orders of magnitude over the first round, where multiple analysis methods are allowed. This article highlights many pitfalls in conducting 'routine' degradation analysis, and it addresses some of the factors that must be considered when comparing degradation results reported by different analysts or methods

Diversity study of Drumstick (Moringaoleifera Lam.) using Microsatellite markers

The study of the magnitude of genetic diversity existing within thirty one accessions of Moringaoleifera collections made within and outside Nigeria was conducted using ten Randomised Amplified Polymorphic DNA and tenMicrosattellite markers.None of the RAPD showed amplification bands. Five out of the Microsattellites markersamplified, four primers MO1, MO10, MO15 and MO41 were polymorphic in nature while the marker MO6 produced only a monomorphic band.PIC value was highest for the primer MO41 with 0.75 followed by primer MO1 with 0.68 while, the lowest PIC value was recorded by the primer MO15 with 0.11.A total of 19 alleles were produced by the four primers and the number of alleles ranged from two to nine with an average of 4.75 alleles per primer. The maximum number allele frequency was generated by primer MO15 followed by MO10.The gene diversity varied from 0.12 to 0.78 with an average of 0.52, PIC content of the SSR primers ranged from 0.11 to 0.75 with an average of 0.48 with primers MO 41 followed closely by primer MO1 having maximum numbers of allele number, PIC and gene diversity. Hence, the primer pairs MO41and MO1 can be considered in future molecular studies of Moringaoleifera.The Cluster analysis was able to group the thirty one accessions into two main clusters with four sub clusters. Six of the accessions were found to be duplicated or closely related with one or two other accessions having 0.00 genetic distances between them. The clusters were having some accessions grouped based on same area of collection, however there still existed groupings that were not having link with area of collection

Long-Term Outcomes of Everolimus Therapy in De Novo Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND: Risk of nephrotoxicity in liver transplant patients on calcineurin inhibitors (CnIs) is a concern. Several controlled trials reported benefit of everolimus (EVR) in minimizing this risk when combined with a reduced CnI dose. BACKGROUND: To systematically review the efficacy and safety of EVR, alone or with reduced CnI dose, as compared to CnI alone post-liver transplantation. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials comparing EVR- and CnI-based regimens post-liver transplantation. Assessment of studies and data extraction were undertaken independently. RESULTS: Eight studies were selected, describing 769 patients. Cockcroft-Gault GFR was higher at one (P = .05), 3, and 5 years (P = .030) in patients on EVR compared to those receiving CnI therapy. The composite endpoint of efficacy failure was similar between the 2 arms after 1, 3, and 5 years of study. More patients discontinued EVR due to adverse effects in 1 year; however, no difference was noted after 3 or 5 years. A higher rates of proteinuria, peripheral edema, and incisional hernia occurred in patients on EVR. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis confirms noninferiority of EVR and reduced CnI combination. Combination regimen resulted in better renal function compared to standard CnI therapy

BIOINFORMATICS: INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES AND ATTENUATION OF DIABETES HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA-INDUCED RENAL INJURY USING MORNING GLORY AND NECKLACE POD EXTRACTS

  Objective: The present research in bioinformatics focuses on pharmacological effects of morning glory and necklace pod ethanolic extracts (MGE and NPE) on some biochemical parameters in high fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats.Methods: Compared to atorvastatin; an anti-hypercholesterolemic (HC) and glibenclamide; an antidiabetic drug. Endothelium activation markers of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Creatinine, urea, and inflammatory biomarkers; C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-10 levels were also measured in serum of different therapeutic groups.Results: Significant decrease in ICAM-1 level with MGE and NPE supplemented to normal rats as compared to untreated control with percentages decrease 17.80 and 12.00% was observed. Insignificant change was detected in VCAM-1 level. Profound amelioration in CRP, total urea and creatinine levels by NPE treatment. Creatinine, urea, CRP, and TNF-α level were significantly increased in hyperglycemic (HG)-HC rats. However, IL-10 level showed a significant decrease. Meanwhile, histopathological investigation of the kidney and heart was carried out. Image recognition system for kidney and heart images was developed to diagnose their diseases. Tested extract attenuated creatinine, urea, CRP, and TNF-α level. Hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia linked kidney disorders were relieved.Conclusion: In vivo oral administration with each extract declared suppression of cytokines mediated inflammation, vascular function leading to infiltration reduction of renal macrophage together with lowering in kidney indices and ameliorate renal tissues architectures in HG-HC rats

First report on cyanotoxin (Mc-lr) removal from surface water by multi-soil-layering (msl) eco-technology: Preliminary results

Cyanobacteria blooms occur frequently in freshwaters around the world. Some can produce and release toxic compounds called cyanotoxins, which represent a danger to both the environment and human health. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most toxic variant reported all over the world. Conventional water treatment methods are expensive and require specialized personnel and equipment. Recently, a multi-soil-layering (MSL) system, a natural and low-cost technology, has been introduced as an attractive cost-effective, and environmentally friendly technology that is likely to be an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment methods. This study aims to evaluate, for the first time, the efficiency of MSL eco-technology to remove MC-LR on a laboratory scale using local materials. To this end, an MSL pilot plant was designed to treat distilled water contaminated with MC-LR. The pilot was composed of an alternation of permeable layers (pozzolan) and soil mixture layers (local sandy soil, sawdust, charcoal, and metallic iron on a dry weight ratio of 70, 10, 10, and 10%, respectively) arranged in a brick-layer-like pattern. MSL pilot was continuously fed with synthetic water containing distilled water contaminated with increasing concentrations of MC-LR (0.18–10 µg/L) at a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 200 L m−2 day−1. The early results showed MC-LR removal of above 99%. Based on these preliminary results, the multi-soil-layering eco-technology could be considered as a promising solution to treat water contaminated by MC-LR in order to produce quality water for irrigation or recreational activities. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 823860