Ethnicity and ethnic federalism in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is an indigenously diverse and multicultural country. Ethiopia is home to over 81 languages and 86 ethnic groups. The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) implemented ethnic federalism in 1991, reorganizing its regions along linguistic and ethnic lines. Ethnic problems and ethnic conflicts have emerged in recent years. Ethiopia's ethnicity problem is analogous to a pandemic outbreak. Ethnocentrism is spread across the whole country. The problem is getting worse. The relationship between different ethnic groups is deteriorating, and people are dying daily because of their ethnic background. As a result, the peaceful coexistence of communities has been affected. There is a fear that if the problem is not managed urgently, it could drag the nation into disintegration. Therefore, ethnic federalism is blamed for the conflict and tension between different ethnic groups in the country. Now a days, studies are being done on whether ethnic federalism outweighs the benefits of the problems. This becomes the main source of intense debate. In this regard, it is considered important to examine these discussions. The aim of this study is to examine the debates on ethnicity and ethnic federalism in Ethiopia. The ethno-linguistics of Ethiopia were discussed first, followed by Ethiopia's ethnic federalism and its benefits and drawbacks. A literature review was used as the method for this study

The Significance of Peat Deposits in Evaluating the Recent Environmental and Climatic Conditions in the Bangladesh Part of Bengal Basin

Peat is a biogenic deposit which forms under water logged conditions in continental swampy to marshy environments when organic matter is produced by plants and deposited at a faster rate than it is decomposed. Climate controls the rate of plant growth, type of plant growth and to a large extent, depositional rates, all of which ultimately determine whether or not peat will form. Thus, the peat deposits are not only important as fuel resources but also important from an environmental point of view, because peat deposits of an area may provide valuable information about past environments as well as climatic circumstances of the area. At many places in the eastern part of Bengal Basin (Bangladesh) peat occurs randomly at surface to near surface conditions. Generally, the base of the peat deposit is about 15 m below the surface and peat is not found below that depth. As there exists a relationship between the depth of sediment i.e. peat and time, it signifies a sudden change in the depositional environment within the basin in the recent past. This peat forming environment did not exist before that time. The current research discusses the depositional characters of the peat deposits and their significance in interpreting the recent environments and climatic conditions in the Bangladesh part of Bengal Basin. However, the detailed investigation of peat deposits is yet to be completed and should be done to know the past and predict the future climatic and environmental condition

Bireysel Yatırımcıların Yatırım Kararlarını Etkileyen Faktörlerin İncelenmesi: Irak Menkul Kıymetler Borsası’nda Bir Uygulama

Bireysel yatırımcılar sermaye piyasalarında önemli bir role sahiptir. Yatırımcıların yatırım kararlarını etkileyen birçok faktör vardır. Bireysel yatırımcılar, yaşadıkları toplumun kararlarından da etkilenmektedir. Yatırımcıların kararlarına etki eden faktörler alınan yatırım kararları üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahiptir. Bu nedenle bireysel yatırımcıların davranışlarının psikolojik ve sosyolojik faktörler açısından incelenmesi gerekmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, bireysel yatırımların yatırım kararları üzerinde etkili olan faktörleri araştırmaktır. Irak Menkul Kıymetler Borsası`nda yatırım yapan bireysel yatırımcılar üzerinde anket uygulanarak veri toplanmıştır. Veriler SPSS 22,0 programında frekans ve yüzde analizlerine tabi tutularak yorumlanmıştır. Analiz sonucunda bireysel yatırımcıların yatırım kararlarını etkileyen risk, finansal kriz, finansal bilgi ve sürü psikolojisi gibi birçok faktörün olduğu belirlenmiştir

Prevalence and correlates of stunting among the school-age population in North-Central Nigeria

Introduction: stunting remains a huge public health concern among developing Nations. However, the burden of this problem among the school-age population appears to have been eclipsed by most nutritional surveys that focus more on the under-fives. This study aimed to demonstrate the prevalence, and identify socio-demographic factors that are associated with stunting among the school-age children in North central Nigeria. Methods: this was a descriptive cross-sectional study that involved 450 pupils, aged 6-12 years from 10 randomly selected primary schools in Jos, Plateau state. Anthropometric indices were measured using standard techniques and the Height-for-age z-scores were generated using the WHO Anthroplus software. Socio-demographic details were obtained using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using EPI infoTM statistical software 7.1.5.2. Results: the mean age of the subjects was 9.3 ± 1.8 years and the male to female ratio was 1:1.1. The prevalence of stunting was 10.5%. The prevalence of stunting was significantly higher among pupils that attended public schools (p<0.0001), those whose mothers had less than secondary level of education (p=0.0427), those between the ages of 10-12 years (p<0.0001), those from the lower socio-economic class (p=0.0021), and those whose family sizes were larger than six family members (p=0.0063). Conclusion: the substantial burden of stunting among the school age population has significant correlation with certain socio-demographic factors. Addressing these factors by alleviating poverty, promoting maternal literacy and encouraging family planning may, perhaps, lessen the burden of stunting among the school-age group in Northern Nigeria

Assessment of probability of pulmonary arterial hypertension among HIV-1 infected patients on haart and its relationship with Cd4 cells Count and viral load

HIV patients are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than the general population and have a 2500-fold increased risk of developing pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). HIV associated pulmonary hypertension was said to be more severe and is associated with higher mortality. Methodology: Across-sectional conducted among consecutive HIV patients age greater than 18 years receiving treatment at the antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic of the Federal Medical Centre Nguru Yobe State Northeastern Nigeria. Results: One hundred and twenty (120) subjects were recruited into the study, thirteen had incomplete data and were excluded from the analysis. There was a significant negative correlation between CD4 cells count with tricuspid regurgitant flow velocity (TRv), pulmonary regurgitant flow velocity (PRv), pulmonary artery trunk diameter (PATd), right ventricular to left ventricular internal diameter (RV/LV) ratio, left ventricular eccentricity index (LVEI), and right atrial area (RAA), while the correlation between CD4 cells count and right ventricular acceleration time (RVAT) was positive and significant. On the other hand, the correlations between viral load and TRv, PRv, PATd, RV/LV ratio, and RAA were positive and significant while that between viral load and RVAT was negative and significant. Conclusions: This study revealed that HIV patients with low CD4 cell count and high viral load had a high probability of developing PAH (significant negative relationship between variables associated with the probability of PAH with CD4 cell count and significant positive relationship with viral load), In HIV patients the probability of developing PAH decreases with adequate treatment (that suppress viral replication and increases CD4 count). We, therefore, recommend routine assessment of the probability of PAH in patients with HIV infection particularly those with low CD4 cell count and high viral load and encourage early commencement of HAART to prevent the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Speciation of Potentially Toxic Metals from the Mine Impacted soils: A Case Study of Riruwai Mining Area, Kano State, Northern Nigeria

Mining and smelting sectors contribute significantly to global growth on a regional and local scale. However, the operations are causing significant environmental damage, particularly pollution of the soil with potentially toxic metals (PTMs).  In this study, the speciation of PTMs (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc) from the mine impacted soils of Riruwai mining area was investigated using a modified Tessier sequential extraction method. The findings of the study revealed that all the PTMs examined are considerably associated with non-residual fractions in all the sampling locations. This indicates that all the PTMs investigated in the study area may be highly mobile in the soils and hence potentially toxic. The concentrations of PTMs in the soil’s geochemical fractions were found to vary with the sampling locations, with active mining sites significantly (p ≤ 0.05) recording the highest value, followed by farmland, while the lowest value was reported at the control site. Therefore, to protect the environment and the health of the local populace, PTMs in the soils of the study area should be regularly monitored and a treatment program should be put in place

The effects of Quercus (Oak) acorn on cutaneous wound healing in rats

Quercus spp. (Oak) has been used in traditional medicine due to its medicinal properties for centuries. However, its effect on wound healing in the skin is well unknown. This experimental trial was performed to evaluate in vivo wound healing of Oak acorn in the skin of rats. In the present trial, 24 Wistar albino rats were allocated to three groups equally, control (n = 8), Madecassol® (n = 8), and Oak acorn (n = 8). The circular excision wound models by biopsy punch device were applied in the interscapular region in rats. Oak acorn and Madecassol® pomade have been applied to experimental groups per day and normal saline solution and glycerin have been given to the control group locally as placebo. Blood and skin tissue were collected to evaluate histopathological and biochemical alterations on days 7th and 15th. In comparison with the control group, the topical administration of Oak acorn showed definite effects on epithelization, proliferative impacts on fibroblast cells, and enhancing effect on collagen formation by reducing inflammation and edema. Biochemical investigations of skin and blood tissues exhibited that fluctuated malondialdehyde and antioxidant defense system components were rehabilitated in the Oak acorn group. This experimental study revealed that pomade obtained from the Oak acorn displays remarkable wound-healing activity

IN-VITRO COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-ARTHRITIC EFFECTS OF FLEMINGIA STRICTA ROXB AND NYMPHAEA NOUCHALI LEAF

Objective: To evaluate the comparative study of anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic activity of methanol extract of Flemingia stricta and Nymphaea nouchali leaf.Methods: Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity. Anti-denaturation method was performed by using Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) to evaluate the anti-arthritic potential.Results: The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extracts of Flemingia stricta and Nymphaea nouchali showed 81.85±0.67% (P<0.01) and 85.59±0.58% (P<0.01) of membrane stabilization at 1000µg/ml conc. and 51.85±0.49% (P<0.01) and 70.63±0.50% (P<0.01) at 31.25µg/ml respectively. All the results were compared with standard Diclofenac which showed 93.15±1.03% protection at 1000µg/ml conc. The in vitro study on both leaves also showed the presence of significant anti-arthritic activity. Here the extracts showed 70.43±1.42% (P<0.01) and 83.33±0.54% of protein denaturation at the highest conc. (1000 µg/ml) and 39.25±1.08% (P<0.01) and 38.71±0.93% (P<0.01) at the lowest conc. (31.25µg/ml), in where the standard drug displayed the 86.56±2.15% at 1000ug/ml and 51.08±1.42% at 31.25 µg/ml.Conclusion: These results suggest that both the methanol extract of Flemingia stricta and Nymphaea nouchali possess significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity.Â

Peat Resources, its Quality and Condition of Deposition, Bijoynagar Upazila, B’Baria District, Bangladesh

The report is prepared on the basis of peat exploration at 4000 hectre areas of Bijoynagar Upazila at B’Baria district which is in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh. It has been studied extensively for the exploration of peat resources, particularly areal extent, reserve, quality and their condition of deposition. Nine peat bearing areas were identified in the studied area are covering six unions of Paharpur, Haraspur, and Chompoknagar and Uttar Singair beel. Peat was randomly found in surface to near surface at different places of investigated area. The total reserve of peat is about 32.61 million tons in wet condition or 13.044 million tons in dry condition. The chemical analysis of the peat shows average fixed carbon-20.5%, Ash content-32% and calorific value-7000 B.T.U. The quality of this peat is good. Geology, tectonics and environment of any area are controlling parameter for peat deposition. Fluvial and deltaic plain with area of active subsidence are suitable for peat deposition. The peat of the area may deposit from plant material that accumulated insitu (Autochthonous) and transported from short distance (Hypoautochthonous). The peat layers of the study area are found at surface or at shallow depth ranging from few centimeters to 7 meters below surface. Present of clay and silt of the upper part of the deposits indicating that the sediments are deposits usually in the winter season when the current of the water become weak. Moreover, the sediment may also be laid down in stagnant water after the recession of the flood