Digital Commons Network^™

The Awareness Of Copyright Laws At The University Of Venda Library: Student’S Perspectives., Maropene Ramabina, Zawedde Nsibirwa Phd

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This article is based on a Master's study, which investigated the awareness of copyright laws of law students at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) library. The study adopted a quantitative research approach with a few open-ended questions and used the inferential type of quantitative research method. A stratified random sampling method (also called proportional or quota sampling) was used to determine the number of students in the study, which provided a final sample size of 132 final-year and postgraduate law students. This study used questionnaires to collect data from law students. Results of the study show that …

Trends In Application Of Web 2.0 Tools And Social Networking Sites In Libraries Of Higher Education Institutes, Lalitha Poluru, Prabha Vaghora, Pradeep P, Surya Naveen Kantubhuktha

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

An attempt was made to explore the usage of Web 2.0 applications and Social Networking Sites (SNS) for providing information services by libraries at selected higher education institutes in Europe, North and South America. The websites were surveyed through content analysis method that is used for a qualitative approach, as to find the details of the applications of Web 2.0 tools and SNS. Out of 72 library websites visited, only 61 libraries (48 libraries in Europe and 13 libraries in both North and South America) have adopted Web 2.0 tools and SNS. The present study reveals that though the implementation …

Ethanol Extracts From Selected Tanzanian Medicinal Plants Selectively Inhibit Plasmodium Falciparum Growth In Vitro, Robert Christopher, Amina Msonga, Heinrich C. Hoppe, Fabrice F. Boyom

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study aimed to assess the in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extracts from the root barks, leaves and stem barks of seven medicinal plant species growing in Tanzania. The antiplasmodial activities of extracts against chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and multidrug-resistant (Dd2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum were determined using a SYBR green I-based fluorescence assay, while the cytotoxicity of active extracts was determined against the human HepG2 cell line using a resazurin-based assay. Out of twenty-one extracts screened, two of them, namely, DFRE from Dracaena fragrans root bark (IC50Pf3D7 = 2.4 mg/mL) and EHSE from Erythrina haerdii stem bark (IC50Pf3D7 …

Spatial And Temporal Solar Potential Variation Analysis In Uganda Using Measured Data, Daniel N Katongole, Karidewa Nyeinga, Denis Okello, Daniel Mukiibi, James Mubiru, Yeeko Kisira

Tanzania Journal of Science

The paper presents an analysis of spatial and temporal solar potential variations in Uganda. The solar radiation potential distribution was investigated based on measured data from 56 ground meteorological stations across Uganda from January 2015 to February 2022. The data were recorded after every 5-minute interval. The monthly average daily Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) was analysed using the spatial inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation technique in ArcGIS 10.7.1. The GHI distribution was found to have maxima at equinox and minimum between June and July. The average global horizontal irradiation is found to be 1680 KWh per year, with a daily …

Short-Term Energy Load Forecasting Model With Sample Filtering, Ruthbetha Kateule, Lucas A. Sakala, Mahadia Tunga

Tanzania Journal of Science

Short-term energy load forecasting is a crucial task in the power smart grid, which enables the power utilities to understand the future energy demands and plans to attain the demand and supply equilibrium, thereby optimizing power deployment and reducing power losses. Several techniques have been implemented to enhance energy load forecasting. However, the nonlinear nature of the data collected in the smart grid makes it difficult to attain 100% energy load forecasting accuracy. For instance, the Deep Feedforward Neural Networks model based on Input Attention Mechanism and Hidden Connection Mechanism has a mean absolute percentage error of 3.17%; model based …

Predictors Of Attrition From Care And Treatment Centres Among Hiv-Positive Pregnant And Breastfeeding Adult Women In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Felix Elias, Nyimvua Shaban, Edwin Rutalebwa

Tanzania Journal of Science

In Tanzania, poor retention rates among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers continue to be a problem, contributing to a mother-to-child HIV transmission rate of 11% in 2019, compared to a global target of 5%. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of retention on clinical outcomes and identifying predictors of attrition among HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women from follow-up care in Dar es Salaam. A retrospective cohort study included HIV-positive women who engaged in PMTCT services in public and private health facilities between January 2016 and December 2019. Secondary data were extracted from databases used for routine follow-up …

Dosimetric Comparison Between Two And Six Beams Conformal Radiotherapy Plans For Paediatric Wilm's Tumour Patients At Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Tanzania, Rashid M. Mruma, Nazima Dharsee, Christina V. Malichewe, Jumaa D. Kisukari, Geofrey F. Soko, Hemed S. Myanza, Furahini Yoram

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study aimed to compare the dose distributions of three-dimensional conformal treatment planning using two and six radiation beams among paediatric patients receiving radiotherapy for Wilms tumour at Ocean Road Cancer Institute. CT scans of 53 patients were used to generate 106 treatment plans, 53 plans for two beams, and 53 plans for six beams. Planning target volumes and organs at risk parameters were compared between both plans using paired samples t-test.  A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The findings showed that the D95% and Dmean of the target are better with six beams than with the two-beam plans (p ˂ 0.001). The conformity index and monitor unit are significantly better with two-beam plans than with six-beam plans (p ˂ 0.001). No volume of the contralateral kidney received more than 12 Gy for both two and six plans. There were no differences in Dmax for the spinal cord (p = 0.208), while Dmean was observed to be lower in two compared to six beams (p ˂ 0.001) for the liver. Six beam plans have good target coverage, while two beam plans have good conformity index and monitor unit. The observed doses to the organs at risk in both plans were lower than their normal tolerance. Keywords:    Wilm's tumour, Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, whole abdomen radiotherapy, paediatric radiotherapy, Dosimetry

Evaluation Of Image Enhancement Techniques For Electrical Capacitance Tomography Applications, Alfred J Mwambela

Tanzania Journal of Science

The fast generation of images in Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) systems is a desirable feature for many industrial applications. Non-iterative reconstruction algorithms which qualify for this requirement generate poor-quality images. The Linear Back Projection (LBP) is the fastest non-iterative reconstruction algorithm. The challenge is to find a technique to improve the quality of images from LBP at a low computational cost. Image enhancement techniques have been investigated for improving the quality of images reconstructed from the LBP algorithm. Simulated and measured static and dynamic flow data were used in the evaluation. The performance results were benchmarked with results from the …

Recruitment Behaviour In An African Meliponine Bee Species (Hymenoptera, Apidae: Meliponini): Understanding Glandular Origin And Pheromonal Components, Bridget O. Bobadoye, Olaniyi T. Alamu, Jennifer A. George-Onaho, John A. Ete, Ayangbade E. Ayandokun, Ifeoluwa S. Agboola, Olubusola T. Adeoye, Popoola J. Adekola

Tanzania Journal of Science

Meliponine bees are speculated to use a variety of communication mechanisms to effectively recruit workers of a colony to collect sufficient amounts of food to nourish the entire nest population. Mechanisms used to convey such information include thoracic vibrations and trophallaxis within the nest; footprint secretions and pheromone marks deposited in the field, or a combination of these signals and cues. There have been numerous discrepancies about the origin of trail pheromone production from the head, thorax, abdomen and leg regions of meliponine bees. Because the glandular origin of pheromone marks deposited by African meliponine bee’s species has not yet …

Measurement Of Solar Irradiance For Determining The Optimal Tilt Angle For Photovoltaic Panels, Gbadebo I. Olatona, Tolulope J. Fadairo

Tanzania Journal of Science

The challenge of solar panel installers in determining the tilt angle needed to obtain optimal performance from the photovoltaic panels was the focus of this paper. The performances of two 150 W panels under varied conditions of temperature and solar irradiance on a plane at two different heights (1 m and 11.5 m) from the ground surface were determined to find the effects of tilt angle and altitude on their performances. Measurements of solar irradiance, temperature, open-circuit voltage, and short circuit current were made at various tilt angles and compared to one another based on the measured irradiance. The optimal …

Design Of The Combination Effect Of Finerenone And Empagliflozin In Participants With Chronic Kidney Disease And Type 2 Diabetes Using A Uacr Endpoint Study (Confidence), Jennifer B Green, Amy K Mottl, George Bakris, Hiddo J L Heerspink, Johannes F E Mann, Janet B Mcgill, Masaomi Nangaku, Peter Rossing, Charlie Scott, Alain Gay, Rajiv Agarwal

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Despite available interventions, people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remain at risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Finerenone, a potent and selective nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) can reduce both kidney and cardiovascular risks in people with CKD and T2D. Here we outline the design of a study to investigate whether dual therapy with finerenone and an SGLT2i is superior to either agent alone.

METHODS: CONFIDENCE (NCT05254002) is a randomized, controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, international, multicenter, three-armed, parallel-group, 7.5 - to 8.5-month, Phase 2 study in 807 adults with T2D, stage 2-3 CKD and a …

2022-2023 Performance Forum - March 31, 2023, Kari Jenks, Olivia Oakland, Lauren Washburn, Nataniel Farrar, Sutton Fransen, Graydon Howard, Clair Ives, Paula Mora Alfaro, Jonathan Dills, William Penn, Weizhen Lai, Aneliya Novikova, Zhanbota Balgabekov, Madison Miller, Shuqi Yang, Juan Diaz Quijano, Sergei Skobin, Isaiah Obey, Manuel Mendes Escobar, Lauren Swartz

Performance Forum

No abstract provided.

Nadph Oxidase 2 Limits Amplification Of Il-1Β-G-Csf Axis And An Immature Neutrophil Subset In Murine Lung Inflammation, Zhimin Song, Sourav Bhattacharya, Guangming Huang, Zev J Greenberg, Wei Yang, Juhi Bagaitkar, Laura G Schuettpelz, Mary C Dinauer

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The leukocyte NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) regulates inflammation independent of its antimicrobial activity. Inherited defects in NOX2 lead to chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), associated with recurrent bacterial and fungal infections, often with excessive neutrophilic inflammation that results in significant inflammatory burden and tissue damage. We previously showed that excessive leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production by NOX2-deficient mouse neutrophils was a key driver of elevated lung neutrophil infiltration in the initial response to pulmonary challenge with the model fungal particle zymosan. We now identify interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and downstream granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as critical amplifying signals that augment and sustain neutrophil accrual …

Drive State Feedback Mechanism For Electric Vehicles (Dsfm For Ev), Axel Unger

Defensive Publications Series

No abstract provided.

Ureca – The Research Ethics And Data Protection Online Review Platform Used By The University Of Malta, Joel Azzopardi

The Journal of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nowadays, research ethics and data protection are given very high importance, and research organizations, including universities, need to safeguard their level of professionalism and integrity by providing the necessary guidelines. Moreover, they need to ensure that these guidelines are being adhered to by their affiliated researchers, including students. This is needed for protection of the research subjects, researchers, and the organization (university) itself. However, care must be taken so that the research ethics review process is streamlined as much as possible to minimize bureaucracy, as such guidelines would then be viewed as a research barrier. This study describes URECA, the …

Remembering Wenonah: Colonialism And The Power Of Representation, Adam Gaffey, Monica De Grazia, Iyekiyapiwiƞ Darlene St. Clair, Jill Ahlberg Yohe

CLASP Lecture Series

This panel explores how the lover’s leap narrative and its representation of Native American figures has been used to forge distinctive visions of public memory both in and beyond Winona, Minnesota. For most, details of the lover’s leap are reduced to Wenonah’s fatal action, specifically how she protested her family’s rigid customs of arranged marriage by jumping to her death from a bluff atop the Mississippi River. The goal of this panel is to offer a fuller account of the purposes this story has served in popular memory and the implications of its persistence for different audiences, past and present. …

From Daunting To Doable: A Practical Approach To Building Inclusive Libguides, Jennifer Elder

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a pedagogical approach that many universities promote to their teaching faculty to help them design courses that are accessible to all learners. After librarians at our library took a course on Universal Design for Learning, we asked, how could we apply Universal Design for Learning principles to create more inclusive LibGuides? At first, we were overwhelmed by the wide range of possible accessibility and UDL features that we could incorporate into our LibGuides. We wondered if there might be a way to identify or prioritize effective UDL elements to include in a LibGuide. We …

#Goals: Library Partnerships For Instruction Strategic Planning Success, Melissa Dennis

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The Research and Instruction Department of UM Libraries has worked closely with campus units to create a longstanding partnership of library skills embedded into first year classes called the First Year Instruction Initiative (FYII). Incorporating information literacy and critical thinking skills into these curriculums has allowed us to expand our reach to teaching students, both synchronously and asynchronously. In particular, the Center for Student Success and First Year Experience and the campus Qualitative Enhancement Plan became library partners for inclusion in the classroom. Through academic advising, academic support services, first-year initiatives, military and veteran support and all things student success …

Canvas Research Modules: Meeting Students Where They Are, Denise Woetzel, Lynn Riggs

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Since Fall 2020, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College librarians discovered some new post-COVID realities for our college including: more online asynchronous classes being offered; short semester sessions; the declining number of instructors requesting information literacy sessions for their classes; and fewer students visiting our campus libraries. During the Fall 2020 semester, librarians started to discuss how we could create research modules in our Canvas learning management system. Instructors could then request to be added to a specific Canvas research module so they can copy over the module into their course sections in Canvas. Considering the fact that the our librarians …

Applying Acrl’S Framework “Scholarship As Conversation” To Teach Undergraduates Article Anatomy Through Active Learning, Jessica Varsa, Justin B. Ingels

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

In Fall of 2022, UGA Libraries Faculty conducted IL instruction for hundreds of undergraduate First-Year Odyssey students. As part of this required course, library faculty are faced with the challenge of conducting workshop-style instruction through a one-shot format, focusing on both integral library skills and how to interpret a research article. R&I Librarian, Jessica Varsa worked with Dr. Justin Ingels, Public Health faculty, to develop a lesson plan on reviewing and interpreting academic journal articles through the lens of the ACRL’s’ Framework that embraces active learning strategies.

This presentation will provide a critical reflection about active learning techniques used in …

Screening Genes For Association With Loci For Nitrogen-Use Efficiency In Perennial Ryegrass By PyrosequencingTm, O. Dolstra, D. Dees, J. -D. Driesprong, E. N. Van Loo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The application of marker-assisted selection to improve quantitative traits in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is cumbersome. It requires a priori knowledge on the association of markers and genes. The knowledge on the chromosomal location of major genes for quantitative traits as well as on gene sequences is rapidly growing. However, determination of the genetic constitution of parents prior to their use in breeding still is impractical. More realistic is to collect association data along with the testing activities needed for breeding new varieties. This study uses changes in allele frequency due to selection as a criterion for gene-trait …

Gene-Associated Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (Snp) Discovery In Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne L.), J. W. Forster, N. O. I. Cogan, A. C. Vecchies, R. C. Ponting, M. C. Drayton, J. George, J. L. Dumsday, G. C. Spangenberg, K. F. Smith

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is the most important grass species for temperate pasture systems world-wide. Varietal improvement programs for this obligate outbreeding species are based on polycrossing of multiple parents to produce heterogeneous synthetic populations. The complexity of breeding systems creates challenges and opportunities for molecular marker technology development and implementation. Previous research has led to: the generation of a comprehensive suite of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, reference genetic map construction, comparative genetic studies, QTL identification, and population structure analysis. Emphasis has now shifted from the use of anonymous genetic markers linked to trait-specific genes to the …

Isolation Of Candidate Genes Involved In Cold Temperatures Response In Festuca Pratensis Huds., Using Suppression Subtractive Hybridisation And Microarray Approaches, H. Rudi, V. Alm, L. Opseth, A. Larsen, O. A. Rognli

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this work was to isolate candidate genes which are differentially expressed following cold-acclimation and develop SNPs to test for associations between candidate genes and frost tolerance. The ability to develop sufficient levels of tolerance against freezing temperatures through cold-acclimation (hardening) is crucial for survival of grasses and winter cereals in temperate climate. Meadow fescue (Festauca pratensis Huds.) is one of the most important forage grass species in Northern Europe. The preference of Festuca instead of Lolium in Norway is due to its superior combination of winter hardiness and forage quality.

Positive Effect Of Increased Aflp Diversity Among Parental Plants On Yield Of Polycross Progenies In Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne L.), R. Kölliker, B. Boller, F. Widmer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In outbreeding forage crops such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), genetic diversity among parental plants may greatly influence the success of a cultivar through mechanisms such as heterosis and inbreeding depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to select polycross parents with contrasting levels of genetic diversity and to analyse genetic diversity and agronomic performance of first and second generation synthetic progenies (Syn1, Syn2).

Ryegrass Astra: A Web-Based Resource For Lolium Est Analysis, G. C. Spangenberg, T. Sawbridge, E. K. Ong, C. G. Love, T. A. Erwin, E. G. Logan, D. Edwards

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a major grass species of temperate pastoral agriculture.

Genomic Constitution Of Festulolium Varieties, D. Kopecky, V. Cernoch, R. Capka, J. Dolezel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Hybrids between species of ryegrass (Lolium) and fescue (Festuca) combine useful agronomical characteristics such as rapid establishment from seed and fodder quality from ryegrass and tolerance against abiotic and biotic stressses from fescue. The superior potential of hybrids has stimulated breeding programs generating so called Festulolium varieties. While the varieties have been evaluated extensively for their agronomic characteristics, little information is publicly available on their genomic constitution. The aim of our study was to analyse genomic constitution of a representative set of commercially available European Festulolium cultivars. To do this, we have employed genomic in situ …

Genetic Changes Over Breeding Generations Of Festulolium, M. Ghesquière, P. Barre, L. Barrot

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Festulolium hybrids are a valuable breeding source for tolerance to abiotic stress and to make grass more persistent under drought and in cold environments. In 2004, the EU Commission enlarged the definition of Festulolium which may now include all hybrids between Lolium sp. and Festuca sp. and not only those between L. multiflorum and F. pratensis. We here report allele frequencies at two unlinked PCR-based marker loci in populations derived from tetraploid (2n=4x=28) L. multiflorum x F. glaucescens hybrids where breeding history enables us to test the effects of selection vs that of genetic drift.

Development And Testing Of Novel Chloroplast Markers For Perennial Ryegrass From De Novo Sequencing And In Silico Sequences, S. Mcgrath, T. R. Hodkinson, S. Barth

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Chloroplast DNA is uniparentally inherited and non-recombinant in Lolium perenne. These properties make the chloroplast genome a useful tool for studying inter- and intra- specific relationships. Previous genetic studies on L. perenne have used chloroplast sequence data. However, the relative lack of variation in the chloroplast genome limits its usefulness for analysis at the single individual level within a species. However, chloroplast SSR markers have recently been shown to have high levels of polymorphism (Provan et al., 2004). This is the first study to design and employ such markers for L. perenne. The objectives of this study …

Genetic Analysis Of The Interaction Between Perennial Ryegrass And The Fungal Endophyte Neotyphodium Lolii, E. Van Zijll De Jong, A. C. Vecchies, M. P. Dobrowolski, N. O. I. Cogan, K. F. Smith, G. C. Spangenberg, J. W. Forster

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The fungal endophyte Neotyphodium lolii is widely distributed in perennial ryegrass pastures, especially in Australia and New Zealand. The presence of the endophyte is associated with improved tolerance to water and nutrient stress and resistance to insect pests, but is accompanied by reduced herbivore feeding. The molecular mechanisms responsible for these endophyte-related traits are in general poorly understood. Comparisons of different grass-endophyte associations show that endophyte-related traits are affected by both endophyte and host genotype, and environmental interactions.

Microarray-Based Transcriptome Analysis Of The Interaction Between Perrenial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne) And The Fungal Endophyte Neotyphodium Lolii, S. Felitti, P. Tian, T. Webster, D. Edwards, G. C. Spangenberg

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Neotyphodium lolii, Neotyphodium coenophialum and Epichloë festucae are common symbiotic fungal endophytes of the temperate pasture grasses perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and red fescue (Festuca rubra), respectively. A genomic resource of 13,964 expressed sequence tags (ESTs), representing 7,585 unique endophyte genes, has been established for Neotyphodium and Epichloë fungal endophytes.