34 research outputs found
Another Appalachia: Neema Avashia in Conversation with Puspa Damai
No full textNeema Avashia is the author of a critically acclaimed memoir, Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place (West Virginia University Press, 2022). Avashia was born and raised in the Kanawha Valley in West Virginia, where her parents arrived in the early 1970s from India
Mechanisms and pathophysiology of mitral valve regurgitation
No full textThe mitral valve (MV) is a sophisticated natural engineering marvel. The MV requires coordinated action of all its interrelated anatomical components: The MV leaflets, the annulus, the left atrium, the tendinous chords and the papillary muscles with its surrounding left ventricular wall for an effective closure of its orifice. Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) is frequently found in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. MR can be secondary to a structural or a functional defect of one or several components of the MV. The mechanism(s) of functional MR is the most complex. A precise understanding of the pathophysiology of MR helps resolving the cardiac status of a patient and choice of therapy for a particular patient. Transesophageal echocardiography can define the underlying mechanism(s) of MR; a thorough understanding of the mechanism(s) helps deciding the surgical procedure needed to repair the MR. In this article, the author reviews the mechanisms and pathophysiology of MR
The generation and application of nanofiber bioscaffolds for neural regeneration
No full textThesis (M.S.)-- Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Biological SciencesSpinal cord injuries (SCI) and peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) present a significant challenge in medicine due to the limited capacity of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) to repair itself. Tissue engineering is an innovative approach to address these limitations by utilizing biomaterial-based scaffolds that mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) and facilitate neural regeneration. Among these, nanofiber scaffolds fabricated through electrospinning have shown potential in guiding axonal growth which could enhance nervous tissue repair.
This study explores the use of aligned nanofiber scaffolds composed of polycaprolactone (PCL), gelatin and chitosan to promote neural regeneration. PCL provides mechanical strength and structural support, while gelatin and chitosan enhance cell adhesion. Electrospinning techniques were optimized to generate aligned nanofibers, characterized for their morphology, diameter, and alignment using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ImageJ analysis. Rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12), a widely used neuronal model, were seeded on the nanofibers loaded with NGF plasmid DNA/FuGENE complex to evaluate gene vector delivery potential. Fetal astrocytes were seeded on aligned and random nanofibers for migration studies to gain insight of the impact of nanofiber composition and pattern on cell migration and cell cycle.
The findings demonstrate that aligned nanofiber scaffolds effectively support neural cell adhesion and proliferation, guiding axonal outgrowth in a controlled direction. Additionally, the study indicates that nanofiber matrices can potentially function as a carrier for gene vector delivery for effective therapy. By bridging the gap between severed nerve endings and promoting directional growth, these scaffolds can offer a different strategy for improving nerve regeneration after SCI and PNI
Improving community water supply management in low income households in Mbagala Kuu Ward, Temeke Municipal-Dar Es Salaam
No full textThe management and dispensation of water supply and sanitation projects is a big problem in Tanzania. Poor operation and management of water supply projects in the communities contributes to problems including increased rate of water related diseases including cholera. Also it contributes to increased rate of poverty as people are forced to spend more of their little income to buy water.
The government of Tanzania in collaboration with different development partners and other stakeholders including CBOs like KIBEDEA are making different efforts to ensure there is not only increased supply of water but also there is good operations and management of the existing water schemes.
Despite all the good efforts that are in place, O & M of the existing water supply schemes is still a big problem. In Mbagala Kuu where there is a community water supply scheme, a CBO called KIBEDEA has been making efforts to assist the communities to properly manage their scheme. However due to lack of proper operations plan and monitoring the problem is still existing hence failing to achieve its goal.
The purpose of the project is essentially to work with KIBEDEA and water users to assess water situation and plan on how to operate and manage community water supply scheme in a sustainable way. Good O & M will ensure reliable water supply hence improved livelihood of the communities. (Author abstract)Neema, D. G. (2007). Improving community water supply management in low income households in Mbagala Kuu Ward, Temeke Municipal-Dar Es Salaam. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)School of Community Economic Developmen
The study of differentiated dental pulp stem cells on electrospun PCL gelatin nanofiber matrices
No full textPresented to the 23rd Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 12, 2024.Regeneration of damaged cartilage tissue can be slow due to its avascular nature and challenging due to the complexity of the cartilage tissue structure. Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) have been used to differentiate into a variety of cell types such as chondrocytes. DPSCs are an attractive source of stem cells due to their similarity in differentiation abilities to Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and can be ethically sourced from canine baby teeth or extractions of adult molars. Nanofibers have been used in supporting cells as scaffolding in addition to being used in drug delivery and wound dressings. Determining the ability of DPSCs to differentiate into chondrogenic cells on nanofibers can assist in enhancing the recovery of damaged cartilage tissue. Using the co-axial method on an electrospinning machine, core-sheath nanofibers were spun from a PCL core and gelatin sheath dissolved from separate solutions of 50:50 (v/v) acetic acid and acetonitrile. DPSCs were cultured on top of nanofibers in a well plate. The cells were maintained for two weeks before imaging was conducted using an actin filament and DAPI staining technique. SEM was performed in addition to the visualization of cell surfaces on scaffolding. A separate combined solution of PCL and gelatin was dissolved in a 50:50 (v/v) of acetonitrile/acetic acid and spun at various speeds on a collecting drum. An SEM was conducted on samples for visualization of fiber patterns. Imaging of DPSCs revealed successful proliferation and cell differentiation on fibers. Collection of nanofiber scaffolding appeared more random at slower speeds and more aligned at faster speeds. Nanofiber technology can be used in enhancing differentiation of DPSCs into chondrogenic cells to aid in tissue repair
Teaching Abroad in the Age of American Empire
No full textThe following paper discusses the benefits and challenges associated with teaching abroad. The proliferation of American-style universities, branch campuses, and other hybrid institutions is accelerating. As such, the Globalization of the American model of education has created new employment opportunities for social scientists trained in the US. The author draws from personal experience teaching at an American-style university to elaborate on how teaching at one of these institutions can influence one’s academic career
Be a Member: Redesigning the portfolio of a professional association around member involvement
No full textAssociations have been around for centuries but for the last decade they are struggling with recruiting and retaining the younger generations. This thesis focusses on a specific type of association, namely a professional association. The organization that is the subject of this thesis is the BNO, the professional association for Dutch designers. The goal of this project is to find a way for the BNO to attract and retain more members. It is no longer self-evident for professionals to join a professional association. Where the Baby boomer generation became members for life because that is ‘just what you did’, the younger generations tend to continually ask “What’s in it for me?” and act like members not clients. An important classification for the types of members used in this thesis is the one given by Sladek (2011). She classifies members into givers and takers. Givers willingly pay dues and volunteer their time as they see it ‘as the right thing to do’ (are often from the Baby boomer generation). Takers on the other hand say “I will show up if you can show me value”. In this thesis Frame Innovation is used as the method. Problems that are characterised as being open, complex, dynamic and networked are analyse, explore and redesign with the nine steps of this method. To understand the problem, six paradoxes where developed that lead to the definition of a new problem statement: there seems to be a lack of overview and purpose in the BNO portfolio which makes the portfolio seem like a patchwork of services. This problem was translated into a design goal where the patchwork is transformed into a coherent portfolio with a clear purpose and overview in order to establish the value of the BNO more clearly. Later a core paradox was added to better understand why the problem was hard to solve: The BNO is an association, however at the same time it calls itself a professional organization. These two roles contradict each other on some important aspects. Subsequently, the context was established which represents the inner circle of stakeholders and the interpersonal relationships and value exchanges between them. The same was done for the field but then with potential stakeholders. The Context and Field helped discover the factors that underlie the needs, motivation, and experiences which are necessary to define the themes for this project. There are three main themes for this project: Representation, Value and Responsibility. These main themes are supported by four sub-themes: Sense of identification, Recognition and acknowledgement, Relationship and Centralisation versus decentralisation. What follows is the development of frames that allow for the reframing of the problem. In this thesis six frames were defined. These frames were: The BNO as 1) an educational institute, 2) a polar expedition, 3) a National Park, 4) a café, 5) a travel agency and 6) a solar system. With the themes and frames six potential futures for the BNO portfolio were developed. From this, one final frame was chosen to redesign the BNO Patchwork: the solar system. This frame allows to focus on building an emotional connection with members as the solution. It emphasizes the BNO’s whish for members to see the membership as relational based and not transactional. The solution is a portfolio framework where, by actively involving members, responsibilities are taken both by the BNO and its members. This is done through three zones of the framework that are translated into three sub-portfolios: the Team portfolio, Collective portfolio and Member portfolio. This division defines clear roles for both the BNO and its members. With the framework the BNO is able to establish a portfolio with the motto ‘An association is something you build together’ leading to more a more sustainable approach to memberships.Strategic Product Desig
Cashew apple in Tanzania: status of utilization, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable development
No full textThis research article was published by F1000 Research, 2022Home Browse Cashew apple in Tanzania: status of utilization, challenges, and opportunities...
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Cashew apple in Tanzania: status of utilization, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable development [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]
Noel Dimoso https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5536-3437, Neema Kassim, Edna Makule https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3077-8932
Author details
This article is included in the Agriculture, Food and Nutrition gateway.
Abstract
Cashew apples, although widely available and rich in nutrients are still underutilized after harvest in Tanzania. Approximately 2,327,000 metric tonnes of cashew apples are lost each year. Their counterpart, the cashew nut is highly appreciated and successfully contributes to the national economy. The huge underutilization of cashew apples is a challenge that requires urgent attention in order to achieve both national and global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Improvement of the cashew apple sector could have a positive impact on global SDGs 1, 2, and 3 targets of no poverty, zero hunger, and good health and well-being respectively. At national level, this sector could contribute to the goals of the Tanzania Development Vision (TDV) 2025, namely: high quality livelihood, particularly food self-sufficiency and food security; and a strong and competitive economy, particularly a diversified and semi-industrialized economy with a substantial industrial sector comparable to typical middle-income countries. In addition, the country’s Third Five Year Development Plan III (FYDP III) 2021/22 – 2025/26 has established key strategic interventions, notably those related to competitive industrialization, energy, and food and nutrition security to ultimately achieve the goals of the TDV 2025. To be effective, however, these strategic interventions require continued strong central and local government support and active involvement of stakeholders to ensure program effectiveness yielded towards efficient utilization of widely available natural resources such as cashew apples which has cross-cutting benefits in food, agriculture, health, energy, and economic perspectives. Therefore, the work provides evidence on the utilization status, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable development in Tanzania
Electro-extraction of Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Baker’s Yeast using Aqueous Two-phase Systems
No full textThis Dissertation / Report is the outcome of investigation carried out by the creator(s) / author(s) at the department/division of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore mentioned below in this page
Integration of total quality management in the management of Universities in Uganda
No full textThis study was occasioned by the phenomenon that the existential environment calls for improved managerial effectiveness and a qualitative transformation of the academy. Hence the author set out to examine this stance at Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Uganda Martyrs University. The study – conducted during the months of April to June 2002 – was a cross sectional survey based on a total of 1010 respondents consisting of 90 administrators, 90 members of the academic staff, 800 students and 60 members of the support staff – selected through stratified-probability sampling techniques at the selected Universities. Data was collected mainly through a set of questionnaire and an interview schedule. Owing to triangulation purposes, both instruments were the same for all categories of respondents at all the sampled Universities. Raw data was thereafter presented and analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency distribution. It was found out in the light of a three-fold specific research question that Universities in Uganda are basically bureaucratic. Notwithstanding, conducive factors to integration of Total Quality Management – though not fully operational – are in the offing and to this effect the said institutions are in some aspects endeavouring to tread the path of TQM culture, latent though this might be. The author, thereafter, recommended that institutions of higher learning in Uganda should fully embrace people-based management systems, be committed to the perennial imperative of change, and strive to involve all for a qualitative achievement of the organisation's objectives. Makerere Journal of Higher Education Vol. 1, 2004: 121-13
