Poverty and sickness: The correlation of social inequalities and poor health

Thesis advisor: Andrea ViciniThesis (STL) — Boston College, 2015.Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry.Discipline: Sacred Theology

Who gets what? Assessing the reincarnation debate

Reincarnation is a death-specific and forward-looking philosophico-religious phenomenon that enjoys a cross-cultural appeal. It represents the theory that when the soul separates from the body at death, it informs another body for another round of earthly life. The debate on reincarnation has, so far, revolved around the reality or otherwise of reincarnation and the associated claims. In this article, we undertake a holistic and critical examination and appraisal of the key arguments underlying the reincarnation debate, with emphasis on the nature and structure of reincarnation, as well as the value of reincarnation belief. The aim is to determine who gets what among the contending parties. Although oral interviews were involved in the exercise, textual and doctrinal analysis of extant literatures on reincarnation formed the predominant source of data for the research. Our finding reveals that although the phenomenon of reincarnation is bedeviled by internal contradictions and belief in it hardly justifiable, belief in it has some positive values, including coping and unifying values that could be harnessed for the well-being of people and society. These observed values of reincarnation and the attendant belief in it, the article concludes, do not constitute a conclusive proof of the reality of reincarnation. CONTRIBUTION: The contributive value of this paper lies in bringing to the fore the fact that contrary to popular assumption, the notion of belief is in reality, epistemically more powerful than knowledge, at least in the context of religion. Considering that HTS Theological Studies focuses on religious issues and that 'belief' and 'knowledge' are religious concepts, we consider this paper to be suitable to its objectives.This research is part of the research project ‘Africa Platform for NT Scholars’, directed by Prof. Dr Ernest van Eck, Department of New Testament Studies and Related Literature, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria.http://www.hts.org.zaNew Testament Studie

Steady State Analysis Of Single Phase IPM Motors By D-Q Harmonic Balance Method

A concise steady-state analysis of a single-phase line-start permanent magnet (SPLSPM) machine is conducted from a developed d-q model using the d-q harmonic balance technique. The d-q model was developed in rotor reference frame from a phase variable model of the machine. SPLSPM whose performance indices were characterized by high torque ripples has detailed analysis docile mostly in computer simulations quite unlike the three-phase types. The main cause is not far-fetched, it was due to nonexistence of precise mathematical model in d-q rotor frame of the motor due to the unbalanced field winding, the rotor saliency and the presence of the capacitor in the auxiliary windings. Even after model has been developed, the simple traditional procedure of setting all time varying component to zero for steady-state analysis fails because the rotor position dependence on the inductance expressions could not be eliminated. The d-q harmonic-balance technique was then applied. An important feature of the harmonic balance technique was that it decoupled all equations to simple sine waveforms in a style that resembled Fourier series. Results yield torque pulsation, current and load characteristics in the steady state

Antihyperglycaemia and related gene expressions of aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium leaf in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Context: Gongronema latifolium Benth (Asclepiadaceae) has been highly utilized in controlling diabetes mellitus traditionally in the eastern part of Nigeria. Objectives: Antihyperglycaemic and related gene expressions of aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium leaf in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Forty-eight female Wistar rats were induced intraperitoneally using alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight). The rats were separated into six groups (n = 8) as follows: non-diabetic control, diabetic control, diabetic rats administered 5 mg/kg body weight of metformin, and diabetic rats administered 6.36, 12.72 and 25.44 mg/kg body weight (ethnobotanical doses) of G. latifolium orally daily. On the 14th day, the animals were sacrificed and different antihyperglycaemic parameters were evaluated as well as its related gene expressions. Results: Diabetic rats administered three doses of aqueous extract of G. latifolium significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, serum lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation (5.62–1.2 μ/mg protein) levels, as well as gene expression of glucose-6-phosphatase in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the liver glycogen content (16.23–112.5 mg glucose/2 g), antioxidant enzymes activities, glucose transporter (GLUT-2 and GLUT-4) levels and relative gene expression of hexokinase in diabetic rats administered different doses of aqueous extract of G. latifolium. Discussion and conclusions: It can be deduced that the aqueous extract of G. latifolium leaf at these doses may be useful in managing diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Therefore, this extract may be a potent antidiabetic agent in clinical therapy in the future

Application of Green Computing at Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

Communication in Physical Sciences, 2022, 8(4):471-477 Authors: Nnaemeka Emeka Ogbene, Hyacinth Chibueze Inyiama, Frank Ekene Ozioko, Nnamdi Johnson Ezeora, Agbo Chibuike George and Asogwa Tochukwu ChijinduReceived: 12 August 2022/Accepted 29 September 2022 Green computing (also called green technology) is the use of computers and other computing devices/equipment in energy-efficient and eco-friendly ways to conserve energy and reduce climatic change to its barest minimum. The frequent use of variouscomputing devices such as desktop computers, mainframe computers, data centres, and other electronic gadgets at tertiary institutions by a very large number of both staff and students result in energy being dissipated at regular intervals which may lead to climatic change and global warming that are hazardous to human health. Warmer temperatures over timecan change weather patterns and disrupt the usual balance of nature thereby posing many health risks to human beings and all other forms of life on earth. In this work, object-oriented analysis and design technology (OOADM) and unified modelling language (UML) tools were employed to develop a template for the application of green computing at Nigerian tertiary institutions. The two UML tools used: use-case and activity diagrams, show the various actors involved in the usage of green computing at tertiary institutions and the sequential steps required by each of the actors in using the green computing in his/her domain, respectively. The template well adopted by all the tertiary institutions and other establishments in Nigeriawill help to conserve energy and reduce climatic change drastically, thereby creating a healthy environment.Keywords: Green computing, climatic change,computing devices, Nigerian tertiary institutions, object-oriented analysis anddesign technolog