An Evaluation of Rural Tourism Potential for Rural Development in Kenya

All over the world, tourism continues to be an integral part of economic development by contributing to countries’ gross domestic product (GDP), earning foreign exchange, creating job opportunities among other significant contributions. There is a need for increased diversification of tourism market away from the traditional ones like coastal and wildlife tourism. Over-reliance on mass tourism especially coastal based tourism also has negative degradation impacts on the environment, destruction and exhaustion of tourism products due to overexploitation. The need to improve tourists’ experiences in the destinations has led to increased calls for diversification of tourism products, thus shifting focus to the rural areas. Many potential tourism products like cultural heritage, archaeological sites and the good natural sceneries in rural areas remain unexploited or underexploited. This proposed study aims to deliberate on whether the sustainable development is possible for rural tourism in Kenya. This study examines the existing strategies employed by the Kenya government and other stakeholders in the tourism sectors, to determine areas of weakness that would require interventions. By conducting a SWOT analysis of the tourism potential in Kenya, this paper seeks to identify the untapped tourism potentials in rural Kenya and make necessary proposals for exploitation, to increase the competitiveness of Kenya tourism sector globally. Finally, the research establishes the general challenges facing the tourism sector in Kenya that have or have the potential to limit optimum operation and development in the sector. The research relies on secondary sources of data including research articles, government reports, academic documents and non-governmental organizations research works for a better understanding of the tourism sector in Kenya. Keywords: Cultural heritage, Tourism destination, Rural development, Rural Tourism, Tourism products. DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/63-05 Publication date: April 30th 202

Value creation by Turkish enterprises

This study focuses on the resurgence of the automotive and appliance sectors in Turkey’s recent years. The analysis of both these sectors reveals some interesting lessons about technology management and investment strategies for companies to invest in Turkey. We discuss the major changes and project the future in both industries. Turkey seems to be a clear winner though there are some factors that could reverse the trend. The research is a joint field study partne rship between Carnegie Mellon and Sabanci Universities

Sürdürülebilir Ulaşımda Bisiklet Kullanımını Engelleyen Sebepler: Manisa Örneği

Manisa, sahip olduğu topoğrafik koşullar ve iklimsel şartlar sayesinde bisiklet kullanımı konusunda Türkiye’deki pek çok kente göre son derece elverişli koşullara sahiptir. Ne var ki, sanayileşme sürecine bağlı olarak gelişen iş olanakları sebebiyle aldığı genç nüfus göçüne, üniversite öğrencilerinin varlığına rağmen bisiklet kullanımı konusunda henüz istenilen seviyeye ulaşamamıştır. Bireysel motorlu araç kullanımına bağlı olarak iş ve okul giriş-çıkış zirve saatlerinde günlük ulaşımda büyük problemlerle karşılaşılmaktadır. Otomobil kullanımı sonucu kentte ulaşım sorunları ve ulaşımdan kaynaklı çevresel, ekonomik ve sosyal sorunlarda giderek atmaktadır. Bisiklet kullanımının artması, sürdürülebilir ulaşım sistemleri için en önemli faktörlerden biridir. Manisa kentinin mevcut olanaklarına rağmen bisiklet kullanıcısı olmayan kesimin bisiklet ile ilgili farkındalıklarını anket çalışması sonucunda belirlemek ve bisiklet kullanımından alıkoyan faktörlerin tespit edilmesi bu çalışmanın amacını oluşturmaktadır. Örneklem grupta, demografik değişkenlere göre de analizlerin yapılması hedeflenmiştir. Yapılan görüşmelerde elde edilen veriler SPSS 22 programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Analizlerde ANOVA testi, Tukey testi ve T testleri yapılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda bisiklet kullanımını etkileyen başlıca faktörlerin bütüncül planlama eksiklikleri, fiziki durum ve altyapı eksiklikleri, güvenlik ve kültürel değerler ve alışkanlıklara bağlı olduğu tespit edilmiştir

The effect of solution and gel forms of sodium hypochlorite on postoperative pain: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of using gel and solution forms of NaOCI during the chemomechanical preparation of the root canals on postoperative pain at different time intervals. Methodology: 114 patients with mandibular molar teeth and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were included in the study. All patients were divided into two groups based on the irrigant used during root canal preparation (n=57): Group 1, 5.25% NaOCI, Group 2, 5.25% NaOCI gel. All groups were filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus root canal sealer using single-cone technique. VAS scale (1-10) was used for postoperative pain assessment. After endodontic treatment, all patients were asked to record their postoperative pain levels at the 6th, 24th, 48th, 72nd hours, and 1 week later. The data were analyzed using Chi-Squared, Independent Samples T, Cochran Q and Friedman tests. Results: Statistically significant difference was not found between the distributions of pain levels at different times according to the groups (p>0.050). A statistically significant difference was observed between the distributions of pain levels measured at different times in the solution group (p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was found between the distributions of pain levels measured at different times in the gel group (p<0.001). In both groups, highest postoperative pain levels occurred in the first 6 hours. Pain levels of the gel group as 38,5% mild, 17.3% moderate, 5.8% severe and pain levels of the solution group were obtained as 46.2% mild, 26.9% moderate, 9.6% severe at the 6th hour. Conclusions: The use of the gel form of NaOCI during the chemomechanical preparation of the root canals showed similar postoperative pain when compared to the solution form

Robot-Aided Fabrication of Materially Efficient Complex Concrete Assemblies

This paper presents a novel approach for the materially efficient production of doubly-curved Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) form-work for insitu concrete construction and a novel application of a patented Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) technology. Research objectives focus on the development of complex form-work generation and concrete application via advanced computational and robotic methods. While it is viable to produce form-work with complex geometries with advanced digital and robotic fabrication tools, a key consideration area is the reduction of form-work waste material. The research agenda explores methods of associating architectural, spatial, and structural criteria with a material-informed holistic approach. The digital and physical investigations are founded on Robotic Hot-Wire Cutting (RHWC). The geometrical and physical principles of RHWC are transformed into design inputs, whereby digital and physical tests inform each other simultaneously. Correlations are set between form-work waste optimization with the geometrical freedom and constraints of hot-wire cutting via computational methods

Fabrication and optimization of 3D printed gelatin methacryloyl microneedle arrays based on vat photopolymerization

Microneedles (MNs) are micrometer-sized arrays that can penetrate the skin in a minimally invasive manner; these devices offer tremendous potential for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic molecules. Although there are many conventional techniques for manufacturing MNs, most of them are complicated and can only fabricate MNs with specific geometries, which restricts the ability to adjust the performance of the MNs. Herein, we present the fabrication of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) MN arrays using the vat photopolymerization 3D printing technique. This technique allows for the fabrication of high-resolution and smooth surface MNs with desired geometries. The existence of methacryloyl groups bonded to the GelMA was verified by 1H NMR and FTIR analysis. To examine the effects of varying needle heights (1000, 750, and 500 µm) and exposure times (30, 50, and 70 s) on GelMA MNs, the height, tip radius, and angle of the needles were measured; their morphological and mechanical properties were also characterized. It was observed that as the exposure time increased, the height of the MNs increased; moreover, sharper tips were obtained and tip angles decreased. In addition, GelMA MNs exhibited good mechanical performance with no breakage up to 0.3 mm displacement. These results indicate that 3D printed GelMA MNs have great potential for transdermal delivery of various therapeutics

Comparison of IMA, YKL-40, EN-RAGE, and AIM levels in maternal blood and cord blood in patients with preeclampsia

Aim: Preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia are among the most significant causes of maternal mortality. Preeclampsia’s pathogenesis is not fully understood, and it is a disease with early diagnosis and treatment possibilities. In this study, we aimed to investigate the levels of IMA, YKL-40, EN-RAGE, and AIM in maternal and cord blood. The results will ideally shed light on preeclampsia’s pathogenesis and early diagnosis. Methods: The study was conducted with the following three groups: a severe preeclampsia group (group 1), a preeclampsia group (group 2), and a control group (group 3). IMA, YKL-40, EN-RAGE, and AIM levels were measured in all patients across the groups using blood taken from the mothers before delivery and from the cords during delivery. Statistically descriptive analyses were performed. Specifically, a one-way analysis of variance was performed on group variables, and a Tukey test was used to determine the differences between the groups. Results: The mean age was similar across all groups. The gestational week at delivery was low for the severe preeclampsia group (p=0.001). The IMA and YKL-40 levels in the maternal and cord blood were the same between the groups. The EN-RAGE levels in the maternal blood were found to be significantly higher in the control group (p=0.000). While the AIM levels in the maternal blood were high in the control group (p=0.001), they were significantly lower in the cord blood in the control group (p=0.029). Conclusion: EN-RAGE and AIM levels are parameters that can be used in the early diagnosis of preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia

Serum Irisin Levels in Patients with Acute Atrial Fibrillation

Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate whether changes in serum irisin levels can represent a marker of altered energy requirements in patients with acute atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing cardioversion (CV). Methods: The research was planned as a randomized, prospective case-control study. Patients presenting to the emergency medicine and cardiology departments of a university hospital due to acute AF were included in the study. Irisin levels were measured from serum specimens collected 24 and 72 hours (h) following restoration of sinus rhythm with CV in patients in AF rhythm. The values obtained were then compared using statistical analysis. Results: Thirty-one patients undergoing CV due to acute AF were enrolled. Mean irisin levels were studied from serum specimens collected 24 and 72 h following restoration of sinus rhythm with CV, and were then compared. No statistically significant difference was determined at comparison of patients’ basal to 24 h, basal to 72 h, and 24 to 72 h mean irisin values (p0.734, p0.958, and p0.643, respectively). Negative correlation was determined between basal serum irisin levels and LDL (r= -0.519, p= 0.002), but no significant correlation was observed with epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness. Conclusion: We determined no change in serum irisin levels studied 24 h and 72 h following return of normal sinus rhythm after CV from basal serum irisin levels in patients with acute AF. No correlation also was determined between serum irisin levels and EAT thickness