Digital Commons Network^™

A Review On Ecosystem Services And Their Threats In The Conservation Of Nyando Wetland, Kisumu County, Kenya, Joseph K. Maithya, Felix L .M. Ming’Ate, Sammy C. Letema

Tanzania Journal of Science

Wetlands are vital ecosystems as they are essential to human health, wellbeing, ecological integrity and national development as well as in the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, despite their contributions to human wellbeing, they have been destroyed and degraded over years. The aim of this paper is to review literature on the ecosystem services in Nyando wetland ecosystem and how they have been helpful to the well-being of its residents and also to determine the threats to the Nyando ecosystem services. A total of 88 documents were reviewed out of 20,400 documents from the Google engine search. It …

Craniometrics Analysis For Ontogenetic Physiognomy And Sexual Dimorphism In Emin’S Silvery Mole-Rats (Heliophobius Argenteocinereus Emini: Bathyergidae) From Tanzania, Jestina V Katandukila

Tanzania Journal of Science

Emin’s silvery mole-rat, the Heliophobius argenteocinereus emini belongs to a family Bathyergidae. The Heliophobius argenteocinereus emini (Noak, 1894) isinformation on ontogenetic physiognomy and status of sexual dimorphism in H. a. emini is missing. The present study intended to fill gaps on ontogenetic characteristics and status of sexual dimorphism in these mole-rats by comprehensively examining 55 skulls. Based on teeth eruption and wear, the dental formula of 1/1, 0/0, 1/1, 3/3 is reported for the first time, and subsequently established eight relative age classes. This information was key to the assessment of ontogenetic variations between sexes and age classes. The multidisciplinary …

Anti-Diarrhoeal Effects Of Aqueous Extract Of Vitex Doniana Stem Bark In Castor Oil-Induced Wistar Rats, Aliyu O. Amuzat, Yakubu Ndatsu, Mohammed J. Adisa, Rukayyah S. Sulaiman, Hadiza Mohammed, Abubakar A. Yusuf, Hauwa M. Ndayako

Tanzania Journal of Science

Vitex doniana is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea-related disorders.  In the present study, aqueous extract of Vitex doniana stem bark was evaluated for anti-diarrhoeal effects. Thirty albino rats of average weight 124 ± 4.35 g were distributed into five groups. Groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were orally administered 2 mL of normal saline, 2.5 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) loperamide, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg bodyweight of aqueous extract of V. doniana stem bark, respectively. The extract was evaluated using feacal characteristics, gastrointestinal motility and enteropooling test. Results for phytochemical screening revealed the …

Sensitivity Analysis And Uncertainty Parameter Quantification In A Regression Model: The Case Of Deforestation In Tanzania, Thadei Sagamiko, Nyimvua Shaban, Isambi S. Mbalawata

Tanzania Journal of Science

In this paper a multiple regression model for the economic factors and policy that influence the rate of deforestation in Tanzania is formulated. Sensitivity analysis for parameters of explanatory variables using one-at-a time and direct methods is carried out and the model is fitted by classical least square (LSQ) and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. Uncertainty quantification of parameters by adaptive Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods is performed. The coefficient of determination indicates that 87% of deforestation rate is explained by explanatory variables captured in the model. Household poverty rate is found to be the most sensitive factor to …

Levels And Exposure Risks Of Lead, Arsenic And Mercury From Selected Lipstick And Nail Polish Cosmetics Marketed In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Gerald S. Kulwa, Matobola J Mihale

Tanzania Journal of Science

Presence of Pb, As and Hg in selected lipstick and nail polish cosmetics sold at different shopping malls and retail outlets in Dar es Salaam was determined by microwave plasma  atomic emission spectrometry due to their public health effects. Pb was detected in 100% (n = 25) of lipsticks and 53.3% (n = 15) of nail polishes. Arsenic was detected in 36% of lipsticks and 86.7% of nail polishes, and Hg was detected in 44% of lipsticks and 80% of nail polishes. All metal levels in both cosmetics were below the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards …

Corn Stover As Substrate For Biogas Generation And Precursor For Biosilica Production Via Anaerobic Digestion, Akinola D. Olugbemide, Lajide Labunmi, Ikhazuagbe H Ifijen, Damilare I. Ogungbemide

Tanzania Journal of Science

Production of fuels and chemicals from renewable biomass is crucial to sustainability of bio-based economy. In this study, anaerobic digestion of corn stover (CS) was carried out to produce biogas under mesophilic conditions. The study also investigated the potential of corn stover digestate ash as a potential source for biosilica production. A cumulative volume of 930 mL of biogas was produced with methane content of 85.87%. Higher and lower calorific values of biogas were calculated to be 36.30 MJ/m3 and 32.70 MJ/m3, respectively. Calcination of raw CS (RCS) and the digestate (CSD) was carried out at 600 °C for 3 …

Annual Committed Effective Doses Of Primordial Radionuclides And Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk To The Consumers Of Some Foodstuffs In Lagos, Southwest Of Nigeria, Olusegun Sowole, Sadudeen Kayode Aliyu

Tanzania Journal of Science

Food plays vital role in the survival of man as it provides necessary nutrients to the body in order to carry out the daily activities and also to be in good health. Activity concentrations of 40K, 238Uand 232Th in some foodstuffs from three highly rated markets   in Lagos, Southwest of Nigeria have been determined by gamma spectrometry method using NaI (TI) detector coupled with a pre-amplifier base to a multiple channel analyzer (MCA). Fifteen (15) samples of maize flour, yam flour, beans, cassava flour and rice were randomly purchased from the markets: Ketu, Oyingbo and Ikeja. The highest activity concentrations …

Antibacterial Activities Of The Extracts Of Allium Sativum (Garlic) And Allium Cepa (Onion) Against Selected Pathogenic Bacteria, Sherifat O. Enejiyon, Al-Hassan A. Abdulrahman, Abdulameen S. Adedeji, Ramatu Abdulsalam, Mary U. Oyedum

Tanzania Journal of Science

Although many antibiotics have been developed against bacterial diseases, the problems of antibiotic resistance and toxicity have made the continuous search for newer drugs an existential necessity. This study determined the phytochemical components and antibacterial activities of Allium sativum and Allium cepa against Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard methods. The antibacterial activities of the aqueous, ethanol and acetone extracts of both plants at different concentrations were determined against all the test organisms using agar well diffusion method. All the extracts were found to contain important phytochemicals …

Comparison Of Seaweed Growth, Fish Abundance And Diversity In Deep Water Floating Raft With Tubular Nets And Shallow Water Off-Bottom Lines Seaweed Farms, Batuli M. Yahya, Saleh A. S. Yahya, Aviti J. Mmochi, Narriman S. Jiddawi

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study compared the growth performance of Eucheuma denticulatum, fish abundance and diversity between deep water (using tubular nets) versus shallow water (off-bottom) seaweed farming methods. For each farming method, three plots were set and fish abundance, diversity and seaweed growth rates were measured at intervals of 15 days. Belt transects measuring 10 m x 4 m each, were established on seaweed farms for fish observations. Fish were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level by underwater census. The results showed that the growth rate of E. denticulatum in deep water farms was slightly higher at an average daily growth …

Verification Of Depth Dose Curves Derived On Beeswax, Paraffin And Water Phantoms Using Fluka Monte Carlo Code, Khamis O. Amour, Peane P. Maleka, Khamza Maunda, Mohammed S. Mazunga, Peter K. Msaki

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study aimed on the investigation of depth dose curves from beeswax, water and paraffin phantoms using FLUKA Monte Carlo code. In order to test the validity of FLUKA code, computational values of depth doses in water, beeswax and paraffin have been obtained using this code. The relative average coefficient of variation of percentage depth dose was observed to be less than 0.38% between beeswax and water, below 0.2% between water and paraffin and 0.98% between beeswax and British Journal of Radiology supplement 25 data. The deviations of percentage depth doses within the beeswax phantom material were also calculated and …

Radiation Dose To The Contralateral Breast And Effectiveness Of Superflab In Dose Reduction During Treatment Of Breast Cancer By Cobalt-60 External Beam, Julius S. Chiuyo, Peter K. Msaki, Ismail N. Makundi

Tanzania Journal of Science

Radiation therapy for breast cancer inevitably results in scattered dose to contralateral breast. Breast tissues being highly sensitive to ionizing radiations, the chance of the contralateral breast developing second cancer after radiation therapy is high. This study investigated dose to contralateral breast and its reduction by superflab during the course of breast cancer radiation therapy. A thorax breast phantom constructed from tissue-equivalent materials and diodes (type IVD2 1137) were used to measure surface doses to the contralateral breast. The mean doses received by the contralateral breast were 2.2% and 7.1% of the prescribed dose of 200 cGy for 5 × …

Leveraging The Science Of Learning To Enhance Student Success: An Application Of Syfr Learning’S Principles Of Practice, Jennifer S. Jones, Christopher L. Thomas

Journal of Research Initiatives

The purpose of the current article is to describe a set of empirically validated principles of practice with the potential to enhance student learning and academic performance. Specifically, we provide an overview of Syfr Learning’s principles of practice – a collection of scalable instructional techniques derived from decades of research in the domain of learning science. Further, we provide an illustrative example of the benefits of Syfr Learning’s principles of practice when incorporated into existing curricula in a K-12 setting.

Factors That Influence Emirati Male Achievement In Higher Education, Melvin (Jai) Jackson, Kaitlin M. Jackson

Journal of Research Initiatives

The success of Emirati male students in higher education is one filled with positive interactions between the students, faculty, and staff. The influence of faculty in the success of Emirati males is vital to the overall curricular success of this student population. The strong cultural ties to seeking out elders for guidance and influence is easily replicated on college and university campuses. In this manuscript we examine the history of education in the Middle East from its inception to the meteoric rise of higher education. Through examining the past and present education we will explore how the cultural and societal …

Brain Science And Parent-School Relationships In A Title 1 Elementary School In Massachusetts: A Basic Qualitative Study, Arij Rached, Simone Elias, Linda Wilson-Jones

Journal of Research Initiatives

Bandura's (1977) social cognitive theory contends that people think, learn, and perform based upon a sum of personal (e.g., beliefs, emotions, behaviors), social (home-school relationships), and environmental (school culture). Also, research has already determined that collaboration between home and school leads to better children's social-emotional learning (SEL) (August, Anderson, & Bloomquist, 1992; Cooper & Redfern, 2016; Grant & Ray, 2018). Thus, a basic qualitative research tradition was used to better understand elementary public-school parents' perceptions of the impact of parent-school relationships on children SEL development in a Title 1 school in Massachusetts (MA). Thru the lenses of brain science, a …

Predators As Agents Of Selection And Diversification, Jerald B. Johnson, Mark C. Belk

Faculty Publications

Predation is ubiquitous in nature and can be an important component of both ecological and evolutionary interactions. One of the most striking features of predators is how often they cause evolutionary diversification in natural systems. Here, we review several ways that this can occur, exploring empirical evidence and suggesting promising areas for future work. We also introduce several papers recently accepted in Diversity that demonstrate just how important and varied predation can be as an agent of natural selection. We conclude that there is still much to be done in this field, especially in areas where multiple predator species prey …

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IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

No abstract provided.

Percolation In Carbon Nanotube Networks, William P. Grieder, Will Gannett, Ruth Saunders

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become increasingly useful in different applications since they were discovered in 1991 by Sumio Iijima [1]. One of their many useful qualities is their electronic properties [2]. These CNTs, when formed into a network, can be used as transistors [3] or biosensors [4]. Transistors are devices that regulate either current flow or voltage and act as a switch; they are a crucial component of computers. Biosensors detect the presence of biomolecules. Efficient transistors and biosensors already exist; however, they are expensive to manufacture compared to these CNT networks. The ability of the CNT networks to be …

Differences In Algal, Gastropod, And Arthropod Coverage Surrounding Pisaster Ochraceus And Other Asteroids In Humboldt County, California, Desa Smith, Jana Lott, Savannah Williams, Shayan Farzadpour

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Predation within the intertidal zone, specifically regarding the predator-prey interaction between sea stars in Class Asteroidea and their food source, contributes to a large biodiversity of organisms. In this experiment, we compared the percent coverage of algae and shelled organisms within a quadrat surrounding three types of predatory sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus, Dermasterias imbricata, and Lepasterias hexactis) to determine their habitat based on predatory behavior. Our data showed a significant difference in algae and shelled organism coverage between different species of sea star; shelled organism percent coverage was less than algae percent coverage in all species of sea stars. The …

Exploration Of Antiviral Effects Of Rna-Dependent Rna Polymerases 3, 4 And 5 In Arabidopsis., Eli R. Kallison, Aleksandra Beric, Blake Meyers

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Small RNAs play a number of vital roles in plants, including viral resistance. A particular class of small RNA that regulates plant defense from pathogens, among other functions, is known as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). A key player in the biogenesis pathway of siRNAs are RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases (RDRs). There are six RDR proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana, three of which have well documented roles (RDRs 1, 2 and 6), and three of which have no documented role. Here, we look at the functions of the unstudied RDRs, RDRs 3, 4 and 5, to see whether they affect antiviral resistance.

Analysis Of The Variables Affecting Plant Species Richness In Deserts, Eli R. Kallison, Ellen Thompson, Maddison Keen, Rusty Newman

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

There are many hypotheses that attempt to explain patterns of species diversity in different environments. Deserts are a great place to study changes in species richness because they are relatively nutrient bare and exhibit low precipitation. This barebones environment means that slight shifts in climate and geography may lead to clear changes in species richness. We investigate how temperature, precipitation, water and light availability, latitude, elevation and other variables affect plant species richness in 20 deserts.

Influence Of Pinus Contorta And Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi On The Presence Of Cladonia Portentosa Subspecies Pacifica Within Protected Dune Ecosystems In Arcata, California, Courtney Michelle Harris, Kacia Layman, Jamie Wautlet, Grace Rhoades, Chris Belko

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

No abstract provided.

The Biocultural Trauma Feedback Loop, Michelle Irvine

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

It is widely known that trauma is repeated throughout a victim’s life, but the biological mechanisms of its recurrence (revictimization), even though understood biologically, are not accepted or discussed in all disciplines. A combination of socio-cultural and biological perspectives is needed to understand this cycle of revictimization and to offer help for sufferers and public health agencies. In order to better understand these issues, I conducted a synthesis of existing scientific research regarding the discrepancies between biological and sociological studies on revictimization. Within my review of sociological research it was revealed that initial trauma and revictimization are clearly understood as …

Everything Is What It Is And Not Another Thing: A Hierarchical Criteria For Evaluation In Informative Persuasion And Communication Analysis, Gary Allen, George Dennis

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

We will focus upon three events that are of particular concern or interest to us -- Informative, Persuasion and Communication Analysis. In doing so, we will discuss problems and trends in evaluation that we perceive in each event, and argue for a hierarchical criteria that ought to be the basis for evaluation and judgement In addition we will present a suggestion for a ballot-form that we believe will help improve the ballots as well as give a boost toward more uniformity of standards.

Distribution Of Crickets (Subfamily: Phalangopsinae) In Caves Of Baratang Island, Andaman And Nicobar Islands, India, Amruta Dhamorikar, Dhanusha Kawalkar, Shirish Manchi

International Journal of Speleology

Cave-dwelling organisms share different ecological and evolutionary relationships with caves. Based on these interactions, they are categorized as troglobites, troglophiles, and trogloxenes. In India, caves are meagerly explored, and thus cave study is in its infancy in India. Through the present study, we attempted to understand and model the distribution of crickets (Family Phalangopsidae), a critical group of insects - being the primary consumers in the cave ecosystems. We sampled seven caves using belt transects (N = 184; total area covered = 1294.9 m²) with 1 m width. During the survey, we encountered 818 individual crickets (116.85 ± …

Adverse Childhood Experiences As Predictors Of Perceived Health: Assessing The Ace Pyramid Model Using Multiple-Mediation, Phillip Hughes, Tabitha L. Ostrout

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been shown to contribute to a litany of mental and physical health problems, including several chronic diseases and death, via a model known as the ACE pyramid. Many of the results of ACEs in the ACE pyramid are known contributors to poor perceived health, which has significant health implications. Despite these results, a possible link between ACEs and perceived health has not been examined to date. Based on the temporal order of the ACE pyramid, we believe any relationship between ACEs and perceived health will be mediated by other components of the model.

Methods: …

Perampanel-Induced Cataplexy In A Young Male With Generalized Epilepsy, Kelsey Kenaan, Mohsin Zafar, Ronnie Bond, Barbara L. Gracious

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Perampanel (Fycompa) is a newer anti-epileptic drug believed to exert its effects in the central nervous system by inhibiting post-synaptic glutamate receptors. However, the precise therapeutic mechanism is unknown. The most common neuropsychiatric side effect is affective dysregulation; there are also reports of psychosis. We describe a 32 year old African American male with recurring generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures, who presented to our hospital with onset of mood lability for several months, after Perampanel was added to his antiepileptic medications. Perampanel administration was temporarily withheld, and subsequently on restarting, noted to be coincident with neuropsychiatric symptomatology, including motor weakness in …

Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism Associated With Varicella Zoster Meningoencephalitis In An Immunocompetent Adult: A Case Report And Literature Review, Alexandra Gillispie, Sofanit Dessie, Rodrigo Aguilar, Kemnasom Nwanwene, Ghassan Bandak, Elie Khalil, Imran Khawaja

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Association of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) with a considerable variety of complications has been well documented throughout literature. Primary infection, most often seen in children, is generally characterized by mild symptoms, as opposed to the more severe presentations in adult and immunocompromised populations. Manifestations of disseminated VZV include dermatologic, pulmonary, neurologic, and ocular involvement. Vascular and hematologic complications are also reported and sometimes pose serious health threat. We present an interesting case of disseminated VZV infection, complicated by meningitis, encephalitis, and bilateral pulmonary embolism in an otherwise immunocompetent 52-year-old man with no prior chicken pox exposure.

Covid19 Perspective From Operation Gotham, Juan R. Sanabria

Marshall Journal of Medicine

No abstract provided.

International Conference On Dental Science, University For Business And Technology - Ubt

UBT International Conference

UBT Annual International Conference is the 9th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make them be aware of the recent …

International Conference Food Engineering And Technology, University For Business And Technology - Ubt

UBT International Conference

UBT Annual International Conference is the 9th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make them be aware of the recent …