Transition in RE in Finland

In this chapter, we will discuss key questions regarding religious education in Finnish state schools today. Recent years have shown that issues related to dialogue, citizenship skills, social integration have moved into the forefront when discussing religious education (Jackson 2014a). Similarly, several researchers have analysed the challenges that diversification, secularisation and post-secularity create for education in religions and non-religious worldviews in Finnish state schools (Ubani et al. 2019a). When we refer to Finnish society in a post-secular context, we do not wish to overstate the rising impact of religion in Europe, but acknowledge the resurgence of public religion and the emergence of an increasingly pluralistic public sphere in Finland too. We convey criticism of the secular normativity of schools and of the liberal-secular foundation of the mainstream approaches of multicultural education, which have emerged against a backdrop of the notion of post-secularity (Coulby and Zambeta 2008; Ubani 2013a). In the Nordic context too, scholars have criticised the othering of non-secular and non-Western worldviews in educational thinking and practices (see e.g. Berglund 2017; Poulter et al. 2016).Peer reviewe

Automated Well Test Analysis II Using ‘Well Test Auto’

The use of computers in the petroleum industry is both cost effective and a solution to human errors in carrying out data analysis. In well testing, recent advances in gauge equipments and the need for a timely interpretation of well-test data, to mention a few, have spurred the need for a computer aided approach. The well test interpretation procedure has been completely automated in this work by implementing the approach presented in part I of this paper, in a computer program using Visual Basic Excel; WELL TEST AUTO.  This program was tested on ten (10) data sets. These data sets comprise of eight (8) design/simulated data sets (Using a simulator and lifted from literature) and two (2) actual field data sets (lifted from literature). Although the results of the ten (10) data sets proved successful as the confidence intervals (CIs) of the parameters were within an acceptable range, selected three (3) data sets were analyzed and presented in this work.

Challenges of Religious Literacy in Education : Islam and the Governance of Religious Diversity in Multi-faith Schools

This chapter seeks take part in an emerging research where religion is approached as a whole school endeavor. Previous research and policy recommendations typically focused on teaching about religion in school, but the accommodation of religious diversity in the wider school culture merits more attention. Based on observations in our multiple case studies, we discuss the multi-level governance of religious diversity in Finnish multi-faith schools with a particular focus on the challenges of religious literacy for educators. The three examples we present focus on the inclusion of Muslims in Finnish schools and in particular on the challenges for educator (1) in interpreting the distinction between religion and culture, (2) in recognizing and handling intra-religious diversity, and (3) in being aware of Protestant conceptions of religion and culture. A theme cutting across these examples is how they reflect the tendencies either to see different situations merely through the lens of religion (religionisation), or not to recognize the importance of religion at all (religion-blindness). We argue that religious literacy should be recognized and developed as a vital part of the intercultural competencies of educators.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of adsorption capacity of acetaminophen on activated charcoal dosage forms available in Nigeria by in vitro adsorption studies and scanning electron microscopy

Purpose: To investigate varying dosage forms of activated charcoal obtained from community pharmacy outlets in Nigeria for their adsorption capacity when challenged with acetaminophen.Methods: Equilibruim kinetics of acetaminophen adsorption onto activated charcoal surface was determined via batch studies at different adsorbent: adsorbate ratios. The isotherm adsorption experiment was carried out at 37 oC and langmuir isotherm models were utilized to describe the equilibrium kinetics data with characterization of adsorption site and porosity elucidated via scanning electron microscopy.Results: A preponderance of microporosity was observed on the surface of the powder activated charcoal. Maximum adsorption capacity (MAC) of 299.78 mg/g was obtained using activated charcoal powder (276.11; 321.09) at 95 % confidence interval (CI), allowing for maximum adsorption of acetaminophen at pH 1.2. Mixed pore structures, which were not clearly established, were observed with both the tablets and capsules with MAC of 280.54 mg/g (273.22; 290.08) and 140.01 mg/g (135.32; 153.99), respectively at pH 1.2. MAC data at pH 6.5 showed little variation from those obtained at pH 1.2 (p < 0.05 95 % CI).Conclusion: The presence of excipients in the tablets and capsules caused a retardation in adsorption via intraparticle diffusion especially at basal micropore sites on the activated charcoal surface. Activated charcoal powder is superior to other dosage forms for use in countering acetaminophen poisoning.Keywords: Acetaminophen, Adsorption, Isotherms, Activated charcoal, Scanning electron microcop

Prevalence of Ocular Trauma among Paediatrics and Geriatrics: A Hospital based Study in Abia State Nigeria

Ocular trauma, one of the leading causes of monocular loss of visions especially in children and the elderly, poses a significant public health challenge. This study found the epidemiological characteristics of patients hospitalized in a private eye clinic and a tertiary eye centre in Umuahia, Abia State through a hospital based survey. The study reviewed over 172 injured eyes from 172 patients over a period of 5 years from January 2010 to December 2015. Of the 172 cases of trauma reviewed, 77 (44.8%) closed globe, 39 (19.8%) open globe, 50 (29.1%) lacerations, 5 (2.9%) chemical injuries, 6 (3.5%) thermal injuries were seen. The mean ages of the paediatric and geriatric patients were 9±4.15 and 72±4.27 respectively. The most frequent types of injuries were school-related in paediatrics and domestic-related in geriatrics. The majority (55 cases) of injuries in males and females occurred in the age group of 6-12 in paediatrics and (23 cases) 71-75 in geriatrics respectively. The relationship between final visual acuity (VA) and initial VA was tested using Chi-square test at 5% level of significance (α = 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the initial VA and final visual outcome after trauma since (X2cal = 137.96) is greater than (X2 tab = 28.85). The study reveals the need for adopting proper prevention measures especially for the age group that is mostly affected by ocular trauma. Also more studies are needed to further investigate the effectiveness of the current ocular trauma prevenve or management strategies.Keywords : Paediatrics, Geriatrics, Trauma, injurie

Comparative Antibiotic Activities of Ethanol Extracts of Leaves and Inflorescences of Mitracarpus villosus from two different Geographical Regions in Nigeria in Synergy and Antagonism with Conventional Antibiotics

Ethanol extracts of leaves and inflorescences of Mitracapus villosus from Ikom and Nsukka in the South-South and South-East geographical regions of Nigeria respectively, were analyzed for bioactivity using agar well diffusion method against four test organisms: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aereus. Results obtained revealed that the geographical location of the plant as well as its soil composition affects the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites produced by the plant. Results of quantitative phytochemical and soil analysis showed an inverse relationship between certain soil parameters and constituent phytochemicals. Ikom sample has higher nitrogen: 0.160±0.001MEQ/100g compared with Nsukka sample with nitrogen content of 0.065±0.007MEQ/100g. The constituent cyanide in Ikom sample: 0.078±0.000mg/100g is lower than that of Nsukka sample which is 0.127±0.000mg/100g. Also alkaloid of Ikom sample: 1.620±0.004mg/100g is lower than Nsukka sample: 2.107±0.003mg/100g. Soluble carbohydrate in Ikom sample, 0.955±0.000mg/100g is lower than Nsukka sample containing 1.915±0.000mg/100g.  Inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) of Ikom extracts and Nsukka extract showed that Nsukka extract with IZD 27.5±0.07mm has higher bioactivity than Ikom extract with IZD= 14.5±0.07mm against K. pneumonia at concentration of 100.000mg/ml. At concentration of 12.500mg/ml, Ikom extract had no inhibition on all test organisms, but Nsukka extract had IZDs of 12.000±0.000mm and 7.000±0.000mm against E. coli and S. aereus respectively. The MICs for Nsukka extract against E. coli = 12.500mg/ml and S. aereus = 12.500mg/ml are lower than that of Ikom extract: E. coli = 50.000mg/ml and S. aereus = 25.000mg/ml. These imply that Nsukka extract is more potent than Ikom extract against E. coli and S. aereus. In this in vitro study, synergism and antagonism have been consistent with the plant extracts against different test organisms. Nitrofurantoin10µg, had synergy with both extracts against E. coli. Ceftriaxone30µg had synergy with both extracts against S. aereus while Ciprofloxacin10µg had synergy with both extracts against K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. However, antibiotic antagonism was observed with different conventional antibiotics: Ceftriaxone30µg showed antagonism with both extracts against E. coli, K. pneumonia and P. aeruginosa. Gentamycin10µg also showed antagonism with extracts against S. aereus and P. aeruginosa. Keywords: Bioactivity, metabolites, phytochemicals, synergy, antagonism, inhibition

INFLUENCE OF AWARENESS OF DIETARY CHOLESTEROL ON CONSUMPTION OF CHICKEN EGGS IN ZARIA

Structured questionnaires were administered on 228 respondents within Zaria and its environs to evaluate the acceptability of chicken egg as food despite its cholesterol content. The study was conducted between May and June, 2009. The questionnaires were retrieved; collated and data analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The data were analyzed for frequencies and correlated relationships between the measured attributes. The results indicate equal distribution between male (49.6%) and female (50.4%) respondents. The highest percentage of the respondents was between the active age group of 20 to 50 years of age. Most of the individuals interviewed were either single (59.2%) or married (33.3%). About 70% of the respondents had tertiary education while the rest had secondary (27.2%) and primary (3.1) education. The respondents were mainly students, civil servants, academics and private business people and their corresponding respective frequencies were 98, 60, 19 and 51, respectively. Almost all (93.4%) the respondents liked chicken egg as food. 63.2% of the respondents ate an egg per meal while 7% of them did not eat egg at all. Age and profession of respondents significantly (P<0.05) affected respondents’ likeness for chicken egg. This study therefore, shows that the higher the level of education the more the fear of the cholesterol in chicken eggs

Encountering religious diversity : multilevel governance of Islamic education in Finland and Ireland

Recent decades have witnessed a change in European governments’ policies from benign neglect to active management of religious diversity, where Islam is often seen as the most challenging for the European social order. However, the ways that this “management” is justified and undertaken varies from country to country and depends on the issues at hand. This paper will take up the issue of Islamic education in Finland and Ireland where it is incorporated into the public school system and where the state has taken an active role in order to control Islam in the field of education. The main argument of this article is that the “management” of Islamic education in both of the above-mentioned countries is ridden with contradictions arising from the difficulty to balance between an emphasis on particular national traditions, on the one hand, and public policies concerning religious diversity, on the other hand. Theoretically, the article will employ the perspective of multilevel governance which helps to widen the perspective from the state as a primary explanatory to different agents of the civil society in encountering religious diversity.Peer reviewe