A library for Bukoba. Addressing the divide in Tanzania

The Bukoba, Tanzania community is embarking on an extraordinary journey – its first library. This paper was written to document Community Solutions for Africa’s Development’s (COSAD) story and experience, a non-profit organization working to bring a library to Bukoba. It is a qualitative case study, completed through discussion, online research, a semester long independent study, and library consultation, exploring the following: sustainability for libraries and community programs; electronic access and its challenges (including available access programs, such as HINARI and AGORA); and the very foundation of this library’s aim and purpose – addressing the vast information and digital divide, both of which influence the current standard of living in Tanzania

The Health Internetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) in eligible American countries: Benefits, challenges and relationship to Internet use

The Health Internetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) aims to reduce financial and legal barriers to scholarship by providing Internet access to full text biomedical and health research articles for scholars in economically developing countries. In this study citation data was used to evaluate if HINARI journals have had greater use since the initiation of the program in eligible American countries. Also considered was if a relationship exists between the use of HINARI journals and Internet user statistics. While an increase of journal use is apparent in two of three sub-regions (Caribbean America and Central America), only one of three sub-regions (South America) suggests a correlation between Internet use and HINARI citation frequency. The benefits, challenges and future considerations for HINARI are discussed, as they pertain to scholars and program administrators

Effects of Prairie Management on Soil Characteristics and Bees

This research involves four prairie management types: burning, haying, and patch burn grazing (new/old). These management types have the potential to affect certain soil characteristics such as bulk density, pH, and soil type. Our goal was to determine whether these management types affected these soil characteristics between each management type and between top and bottom soils within each type. This study was a part of a larger project which also examined whether prairie management affected bee abundance in these areas. We found significant differences between management types and between top and bottom soils within each type in terms of both bulk density and pH. Despite the fact that 80% of bee species nest in the soil, this topic is under-researched. Although our results regarding bee abundance in prairies employing these management types were not significant, they may provide insight into certain trends for these ground-nesting bees.Ope

Selective Binding of Borrelia burgdorferi OspE Paralogs to Factor H and Serum Proteins from Diverse Animals: Possible Expansion of the Role of OspE in Lyme Disease Pathogenesis

The binding of Borrelia burgdorferi OspE, OspF, and family 163 (Elp) proteins to factor H/factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1) and other serum proteins from different animals was assessed. OspE paralogs bound factor H and unidentified serum proteins from a subset of animals, while OspF and Elp proteins did not. These data advance our understanding of factor H binding, the host range of the Lyme spirochetes, and the expanding role of OspE in pathogenesis

Relating Stool Microbial Metabolite Levels, Inflammatory Markers and Dietary Behaviors to Screening Colonoscopy Findings in a Racially/Ethnically Diverse Patient Population

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States, yet it is treatable and preventable. African Americans have higher incidence of CRC than other racial/ethnic groups, however, it is unclear whether this disparity is primarily due to environmental or biological factors. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolites produced by bacteria in the colon and are known to be inversely related to CRC progression. The aim of this study is to investigate how stool SCFA levels, markers of inflammation in stool and dietary intake relate to colonoscopy findings in a diverse patient population. Stool samples from forty-eight participants were analyzed for SCFA levels and inflammatory markers (lysozyme, secretory IgA, lactoferrin). Additionally, participants completed the National Cancer Institute’s Diet History Questionnaire II (DHQ II) to report dietary intake over the past year. Subsequently, the majority of participants underwent screening colonoscopy. Our results showed that African Americans had higher total levels of SCFAs in stool than other racial/ethnic groups, significantly lower intake of non-starchy vegetables and similar inflammatory marker expression and colonoscopy outcomes, compared to others. This work is an initial exploration into the biological and clinical factors that may ultimately inform personalized screening approaches and clinical decision-making to improve colorectal cancer disparities for African Americans

DeWitt Wallace Library Annual Report 2018-2019

Summary of Macalester\u27s DeWitt Wallace Library activities for 2018-2019. Theme: Diversity, Equity, Inclusio