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To analyze pathobiology of ischiocavernosus (IC) and bulbospongiosus (BS) muscles in long-term diabetic male rats and its implication on erectile dysfunction (ED).Male rats were grouped into control and diabetic rats (received single injection of 60 mg/kg bw. of streptozotocin [STZ]). At 120th day, the animals were subjected to various analyses like serum hormone, penile reflex, electromyography of IC and BS muscles, after euthanasia IC and BS muscles were processed for morphological, histology, histometric analysis, immunostaining and immunoblotting synaptophysin, nNOS and NADPH diaphorase histochemistry.Significant reduction in serum hormone level, penile reflex, reduced action potential or activity in both these muscles and wide range of histological alterations were observed in STZ rats. Muscles showed significant reduction in the diameter, volume and numerical density of the fiber in both muscles of STZ rats. Synaptophysin, nNOS and NADPH diaphorase were significantly reduced in diabetic animal IC and BS.Severe neuromuscular circuitry alteration in IC and BS. Study concludes that degenerative changes in IC and BS may play a major role in ED in diabetic condition. Indicating diabetic-induced postsynaptic neuronal degeneration along with impaired motor action of the muscle and severe muscle degeneration affecting ED.

ÖZ Allah’ın Güzel İsimlerini İhtiva Eden Ayet Fasılaları Bu makale, Allah’ın güzel isimlerini ihtiva eden Kur’an ayetlerinin fasılalarında fonetik ahenk, harflerin mahreç ve sıfatlarında benzerlik ve yakınlık açısından müzikal uyumu incelemektedir. Bu husus, Kur’an-ı okuyan ya da dinleyenlerin kalp ve gönüllerini etkileyen ayetler arasında harika bir musikînin oluşmasını sağlamaktadır. Yine bu araştırma Kur’an-ı Kerim’in yeni anlam inceliklerine ulaşmada, fasılalarındaki fonetik ahengin incelenmesinin önemini de vurgulamaktadır. ABSTRACT Verse Passages of The Koran with Excellent Names of Allah This article examines rhythm of phonetics, musical harmony in utterance and in similarities of adjectives in Verse passages of the Koran with excellent names of Allah. This issue supplies a magnificent musicality on the hearts of people who reads and listens to the Verses. This article also stresses of reaching new meanings by studying the importance of rhythm of phonetics in Verse passages.&nbsp

ÖZET Felsefî Değişimler ve Modern Edebî Eleştiri Metotlarına Etkisi Bu araştırma, modern edebi eleştirinin gelişmesine yol açan felsefî değişim ve gelişmeleri ele almaktadır. Bu eleştirinin, uygulama ilkelerindeki metotları bu değişim ve gelişmeler üzerine kurulmuş ve bu kuruluş edebi sanatların önceden olduğundan daha büyük bir dikkatle okunup incelenmesi hususunda büyük bir gelişmeye neden olmuştur. Yapısalcılık, üslupçuluk, algılama teorisi, çözümleme, metin bilgisi ve kültürel eleştiri şeklinde kendini gösteren bu eleştiri metotları gözden geçirildiğinde bu metotların çeşitli edebi sanatları yorumlamasında felsefenin ne kadar geniş bir etkisi olduğu görülecektir. Ancak ben, bu araştırmada, konunun uzamasından endişe ederek, modern edebi eleştirinin gelişmesinde en çok etkisi olan unsurları çıkarıp felsefi değişim ve bu değişimin gelişmesini tartışmayı ve modern eleştiri eğilimlerinin kaynağını teşkil eden bu felsefî temellerle çözümlemeye dayalı uygulamaları başka bir çalışmada ele almayı tercih ettim. ABSTRACT Philosophical Changes and its Effect on Methods of Modern Literary Criticism This study handles philosophical changes and developments that have led to the advancement of modern literary criticism. Practical methods of modern criticism are based on such changes and developments, which have given way to a more detailed reading and examination of literary devices. As for as such critical approaches as structuralism, stylistics, perception theory, text knowledge and cultural criticism are concerned, it will be realized that philosophy has a great effect on these methods’ interpretation of various literary devices on the interpretation of these styles of writing. However, I prefer in this study to discuss philosophical change and its development excluding the most effective factors in the development of modern literary criticism, and to examine the discussion of the development of this change and the methods based on philosophical analyses in modern literary critical tendencies in another study.

Aflatoxin are transferred from feed to animal products (Eggs, Meats and Milk). There is need to find alternative chemicals that is economically friendly to reduce the impact of aflatoxins. Probiotics additives especially Lactobacillus and Bacillus spp. biodegradation generally decreases aflatoxin residues in milk, egg and meat. They are low cost, economically friendly and accessible additives which could mitigate aflatoxin formation in feed and food. There is need for aggressive public health awareness on the implication of aflatoxin residues and as well as detoxification strategy that can reduce toxin absorption into animal feed.

Over the past decades, there has been significant challenges in the detection and quantification of urban forest biomass due to limitation of traditional methods (e.g. Field survey) which are not only costly but also impractical to monitor large and inaccessible areas. The application of accurate remote sensing data has greatly improved urban biomass estimation and modelling approaches due to development in new satellite sensors to address urban climate dynamics. For example, the launch of Sentinel-2 by the Copernicus programme of the European Union, which provides data down to 10 m, has been quite remarkable. In this study, four vegetation indices (VIs) were derived from the Sentinel-2 data for 2016 (the red and near-infrared bands (10 m)) which were atmospherically corrected by using the “Sen2Cor” tool. The sensitivities of the four VIs to biomass (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), difference vegetation index (DVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI2) were assessed through a predictive modelling approach using thirty sixty (36) plots belonging to eleven (11) different tree species sampled at different locations along the major streets in the study area. All VIs significantly correlate with the field estimated biomass (p

Background. In March 2010, Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders detected an outbreak of acute lead poisoning in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria, linked to low-technology gold ore processing. The outbreak killed more than 400 children ≤5 years of age in the first half of 2010 and has left more than 2,000 children with permanent disabilities. Objectives. The aims of this study were to estimate the statewide prevalence of children ≤5 years old with elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in gold ore processing and non-ore-processing communities, and to identify factors associated with elevated blood lead levels in children. Methods. A representative, population-based study of ore processing and non-ore-processing villages was conducted throughout Zamfara in 2012. Blood samples from children, outdoor soil samples, indoor dust samples, and survey data on ore processing activities and other lead sources were collected from 383 children ≤5 years old in 383 family compounds across 56 villages. Results. 17.2% of compounds reported that at least one member had processed ore in the preceding 12 months (95% confidence intervals (CI): 9.7, 24.7). The prevalence of BLLs ≥10 μg/dL in children ≤5 years old was 38.2% (95% CI: 26.5, 51.4) in compounds with members who processed ore and 22.3% (95% CI: 17.8, 27.7) in compounds where no one processed ore. Ore processing activities were associated with higher lead concentrations in soil, dust, and blood samples. Other factors associated with elevated BLL were a child's age and sex, breastfeeding, drinking water from a piped tap, and exposure to eye cosmetics. Conclusions. Childhood lead poisoning is widespread in Zamfara State in both ore processing and non-ore-processing settings, although it is more prevalent in ore processing areas. Although most children's BLLs were below the recommended level for chelation therapy, environmental remediation and use of safer ore processing practices are needed to prevent further exposures. Patient consent. Obtained Ethics approval. The study protocol was approved by the US Centers for Disease Control Institutional Review Board-A and the National Health Research Ethics Committee of Nigeria. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Apart from infections and physical injuries, victims of rape suffer many psychological and social complications. Available data from hospital-based studies may not be reliable as only a few victims seek medical services for rape-related problems. The study determined the prevalence, pattern and psychosocial effects of rape among female undergraduates in three tertiary institutions in north-western Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional study in which questionnaires were administered to 300 female undergraduates. A woman was considered as a rape victim if she reported a previous experience of any degree of penetration of her vulva or anus with anything at all without her consent. The mean age of the respondents was 22.6±3.7 years. Among them, 56 (19.7%) had experienced rape; 14 (25.0%) before the age of 10 years. Most rape incidents occurred in a hotel, third party’s or public place 21 (38.0%), and the most common mode of subduing victim was physical force 24 (42.9%). The most common psychological effect reported was difficulty in concentrating in academic activities 39 (69.6%), and attempted suicide 7 (12.5%). On the social effects, majority 47 (83.9%) became afraid of a sexual relationship with males, 45 (80.4%) developed a distrust for men, and 9 (14.3%) became ‘dependent’ on alcohol and/or other psychoactive substances. It was recommended that effort is channelled towards increasing public awareness of causes and preventive measures against rape, including lessons on sex education in school and at home.

To study the effect of ethanolic seed extract ofThe rats were divided into four groups Young (3 months), Aged (24 - 28 months), Aged + Significant disturbance in hypophysial - gonadal axis was noted in aged rat. With reduced number of myelinated fibers, diameter, vacuolization, indentation of the myelin sheath, and degeneration. nNOS and its cofactor (NaDPH diaphorase) were reduced in aged rat DNP. NCV was slow in aged rats and concomitant poor penile reflex was also noted. AR showed reduced expression in aged rat DNP when compared to young and control groups. TUNEL positive cells were increased in aged rat DNP. These pathological changes were remarkably reduced or recovered inThe results indicate a multi-factorial therapeutic activity in penile innervations towards sustaining the penile erection in the presence of the extract in aged rats and justifying the claim of traditional usage.

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on aging-mediated cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis. The Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 18). Group I: young (3 months), group II: aged (24-26 months), group III: aged + EGCG (200 mg/kg for 30 days), and group IV: young + EGCG. At the end of 30 days, EGCG administration to the aged animals showed significant (P < 0.001) reduction of low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol with concomitant increase of high-density lipoprotein (P < 0.001) when compared with aged rats. Increased (P < 0.001) heart volume, weight with concomitant increase of left ventricular wall thickness, and reduced ventricular cavity were observed in aged rats supplemented with EGCG compared with aged animals. Histology and histomorphometry study of aged animals treated with EGCG showed marked increases in the diameter and volume of cardiomyocytes with concomitant reduction of numerical density when compared with aged animals. Reduced reactive oxygen species (P < 0.001) production with association of increased antioxidant defense system (P < 0.001) in aged hearts supplemented with EGCG when compared with aged animals. TUNEL staining and fibrosis showed a marked increase in apoptotic cell death (P < 0.001) and collagen deposition (P < 0.001) in aged animals treated with EGCG when compared with aged animals. Aged animals treated with EGCG showed a marked increase in protein expression of TGFβ, TNFα, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and significant (P < 0.001) alteration in the gene expression of TGFβ, TNFα, NF-κB, α-SMA, and Nrf2 when compared with aged animals. Taken together, it is evident that EGCG may potentially inhibit aging-induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis, thereby preserving cardiac function. The proposed mechanism would be inhibition of reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of TGFβ1, TNFα, and NF-κB signaling pathway. Hence, the present study suggests that EGCG can be useful to fight against aging-induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis.

This study aims at revealing the changes in nutrition attitude and knowledge levels of football referees. 130 referees actively serving as Candidate, Provincial and Regional Referees in Izmir, Konya, Aksaray and Niğde provinces constituted the sample group of the study. The personal information form was used in obtaining the socio-demographic information and the nutrition knowledge and attitude scale developed by Ertürk (2010) was used in determination of the nutrition attitude and knowledge. The variance and homogeneity of the data were tested, "Independent Samples t Test" was used for binary comparisons, "One Way Anova" for differences between groups in multiple comparisons, and "Tukey" test for the determination of variation sources. The nutritional attitudes of the provincial and district referees were higher than those of the candidate referees and the nutritional information of the candidate referees were higher than the provincial and district referees and this change was statistically found to be significant (P

This study aims at revealing the changes in nutrition attitude and knowledge levels of football referees. 130 referees actively serving as Candidate, Provincial and Regional Referees in Izmir, Konya, Aksaray and Nigde provinces constituted the sample group of the study. The personal information form was used in obtaining the socio-demographic information, and the nutrition knowledge and attitude scale developed by Erturk (2010) was used in determination of the nutrition attitude and knowledge. The variance and homogeneity of the data were tested, “Independent Samples t Test” was used for binary comparisons, “One Vay Anowa” for differences between groups in multiple comparisons, and “Tukey” test for the determination of variation sources. The nutritional attitudes of the provincial and district referees were higher than those of the candidate referees and the nutritional information of the candidate referees were higher than the provincial and district referees and this change was statistically found to be significant (P

In this study, the Optimal River Network (ORN) has been determined in a waterlogged area. A dense 3D coordinates obtained from Differential GPS were used to create a Digital Elevation and Digital Terrain Models and their contingents comprising Watershed, Slope, Contours and Aspect. Areas at risk of being flooded are northward, surrounded by lowlying terrain while the south constitute undulating hills with natural river discharge at the centre. The ORN determines an ideal direction of flow of water out of the region, putting into consideration future planning and development. Existing small streams are directed to a permanent flow network to minimise land loss due to erosion and reduce cost of developing building projects in the waterlogged area. It is evident here that Differential GPS and Geographic Information Systems software can be combined to find ideal solutions to natural hazards akin to flood and erosion and even beyond.

Topographic mapping of flood-prone housing estate has been studied using high resolution 3D data from total station. The total station provides an unprecedented accuracy for a 3D data collection than any other traditional surveying techniques and the satellite-based differential GPS. The Digital Terrain Model (DTM) delineates the potential areas required for drainage construction. It is observed that over 80% of housing facilities could be saved from flood water if proper drainages are constructed as indicated by the DTM. Generally, houses to the east and south would be much affected due to their location in low land areas. Supplementary, a spatial database of the housing estate has been conducted to predict loses that may incur during the perennial and climate-forced floods that affect the area. This database can be queried and based on the entity relationships of each house, potential economic loses can be calculated. It is suggested here that additional options, such as flow direction, slope and watershed analyses could be conducted in future flood mapping of the area.

Measurements of the natural radioactivity levels in soil samples from the Pshdar area in Iraq have been carried out. This survey is considered the first scientific assessment of the radioactivity level in the studied area so far. Soil samples were collected in 22 regions across the landscape over an area of 1,339.13 km2. Gamma ray spectroscopy analysis was carried out using the high purity germanium (HPGe) detector in a low background configuration to detect radioisotopes of natural decay chains (226Ra, 232Th), the long-lived radionuclide 40K in the environment. It was found that the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 7.6±1.0 Bq kg-1 to 23.5±1.7 Bq kg-1, 2.50 Bqkg-1 to 31.8±2.2 Bqkg-1 and 77.6±7.8 Bq kg-1 to 554.5±42.7 Bq kg-1 respectively. The results have been compared with other radioactivity measurements in different countries’ soils. The absorbed dose rate (D), the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the external hazard index (Hex) and the internal hazard index (Hin) in the soil samples were also determined. They were found to have ranges of 7.34 ± 0.78 to 45.01 ± 2.37 nGy h-1 with an average value of 33.26 ± 0.39 nGy h-1, 9.01 ± 0.96 µSvy-1 to 55.20 ± 2.91 µSvy-1 with an average of 40.79 ± 0.48 µSvy-1, 15.72 ± 1.6 to 96.12 ± 4.17 Bq kg-1 with an average of 69.83 ± 0.82 Bq kg-1, 0.06±0.003 to 0.27 ± 0.01 with an average of 0.20 ±0.002, and 0.07 ± 0.002 to 0.31 ± 0.01 with an average of 0.22 ± 0.002 respectively. The results indicate that the radiation hazard from primordial radionuclides in all soil samples from the studied area in the current work is not significant, and the natural background radiation of the area is at normal levels.

The properties of the ground, beta and negative parity state bands of 146Nd–156Nd isotopes have been studied. The ratio of gamma energy over spin has been calculated and drawn as a function of spin (I) to show the ground-state evolution for each isotope. The ratio between the excitation energies of successive (I+2) and (I) states as a function of spin (I) has been calculated and drawn to determine the property of the ground-state bands of 146Nd–156Nd isotopes. The odd-even staggering has been drawn to determine the energy difference of the states of the ground-state bands and the negative-parity bands. The energy levels for the ground-state band of 146Nd–156Nd have been calculated using the Bohr-Mottelson Model, the Interacting Boson Model, the Interacting Vector Boson Model and the Doma–El-Gendy Relation. The energy levels of the beta band for the measured experimentally levels of 148Nd, 150Nd and 152Nd have been calculated using the Interacting Boson Model. The energy levels of the negative parity band of the 146Nd, 148Nd, 150Nd, 152Nd and 156Nd isotopes have also been calculated using the Bohr-Mottelson Model and the Interacting Vector Boson Model. The calculated energy levels compared with the experimental data indicate the quality of the fit presented in this paper.

This paper investigates the spatial distribution of health facilities and their attribute information by creating a database and producing a visual map of these facilities in Yola town. Twelve facilities were mapped consisting of hospitals, clinics, maternities and dispensaries using handheld Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and satellite imageries provided by Google Maps TM . Additional information comes from questionnaires issued to the facility management and that serves as attribute data for both the database and visual map. Both attribute and spatial data are linked in AutoCad and ArcGIS environments to allow querying of information. Results show that 12 health facilities exist, of which 10 are public and 2 are private. Although the facilities are fairly distributed, their standards differ and that ignores the pattern of distribution. We hereby used the population data of 1993 and 2006 and the World Health Organisation (WHO) criterion for location of new health facilities in developing countries to propose 2 new sites. It is suggested here that, only if the standards are improved and the proposed ones built that Yola town can have adequate health facilities to the standard of WHO. The database produced would undoubtedly assist in management, planning and fostering new directions to health administration. The visual map produced shows locations of health facilities, road linkages and capacity of each is also an important source of information on health matters. The visual map if provided to the public can reduce the risk of taking patients to wrong hospitals due to not having prior knowledge of their capacities or opening hours. The satellite and information technology therefore can provide ease in management of health facilities and planning for future.

This paper focuses on flood-prone unplanned built-up areas to determine suitable drainage network. A comprehensive method of data collection involving topographic maps produced from aerial photography, satellite image and Total Station were employed. Three-dimensional (3D) coordinates were collected using Total Station and these were used to produce a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and its contingents, comprising Watersheds, Aspects and Slopes to obtain suitable drainage sites. Two results were obtained, the Optimal Drainage Network (ODN) and the Suitable Drainage Network (SDN). The former however, has advantage for future and sustainable development in the area over the later. However, SDN is cheaper when it comes to compensation of demolished buildings during drainage construction. Results suggest that a combination of surveying equipment, aerial photogrammetry and satellite images can provide ideal solutions to environmental problems.

In this paper a mixed-mode (input and output signals can be current or voltage) Kerwin-Huelsman-Newcomb (KHN) biquad with low/high input impedance and high/low output impedance depending on the type of the corresponding signal (current/voltage) is presented. The circuit is constructed using three differential voltage current conveyors (DVCCs), two grounded capacitors and three grounded resistors. The circuit simultaneously provides bandpass (BP), highpass (HP) and lowpass (LP) responses when the output is current and notch, BP and LP responses when the output is voltage. The notch and allpass responses can be obtained by connecting appropriate output currents directly without using additional active elements. Because of the low input and high output impedance of the circuit for current signals and the high input and low output impedance for voltage signals, it can be used in cascade for realizing higher-order filters. SPICE simulation results are given to verify the theoretical analysis.