The involvement of Aβ42 and tau in nucleolar and protein synthesis machinery dysfunction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is distinguished from other dementias by observation of extracellular Amyloid-b (Ab) plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, comprised of fibrils of Ab and tau protein, respectively. At early stages, AD is characterized by minimal neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, nucleolar stress, and altered protein synthesis machinery. It is generally believed that Ab oligomers are the neurotoxic species and their levels in the AD brain correlate with the severity of dementia suggesting that they play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Here, we show that the incubation of differentiated human neuroblastoma cells (SHSY5Y) with freshly prepared Ab42 oligomers initially resulted in oxidative stress and subtle nucleolar stress in the absence of DNA damage or cell death. The presence of exogenous Ab oligomers resulted in altered nuclear tau levels as well as phosphorylation state, leading to altered distribution of nucleolar tau associated with nucleolar stress. These markers of cellular dysfunction worsen over time alongside a reduction in ribosomal RNA synthesis and processing, a decrease in global level of newly synthesized RNA and reduced protein synthesis. The interplay between Ab and tau in AD remains intriguing and Ab toxicity has been linked to tau phosphorylation and changes in localization. These findings provide evidence for the involvement of Ab42 effects on nucleolar tau and protein synthesis machinery dysfunction in cultured cells. Protein synthesis dysfunction is observed in mild cognitive impairment and early AD in the absence of significant neuronal death

ANALYSIS OF MARKET PERFORMANCE: A CASE OF ‘OMENA’ FISH IN SELECTED OUTLETS IN KENYA

The role and contribution of the fisheries sub-sector in Kenya cannot be underestimated. In particular, the contribution of Rastrienebola Argentea, commonly referred to as Omena, or Dagaa is increasingly being recognized and appreciated by several Government institutions and Non-Governmental organizations. Omena production is valued at 200 million dollars while its trade supports more than 2 million livelihoods. Different interventions by the government and the Non-Governmental organizations have resulted to increased production of Omena fish. However, increased production alone is not enough to effectively develop this industry. Information on the marketing functions and the efficiency with which these functions are carried out is lacking. In addition, distribution of costs and benefits along the Omena marketing chain is not known while fluctuations in supply affect price transmission between different markets. The main objective of this study was thus to assess the performance of Omena marketing in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study included: assessing the effectiveness of the Omena marketing channels; evaluating the price spreads along the different marketing channels; and to determine whether the spatially separated markets for Omena are integrated. Primary data was collected in two purposively identified regional markets in Kenya (i.e. Kisumu and Nakuru) while additional secondary data from the Nairobi region was included only for the purposes of analyzing market integration. Selection of markets was based on whether the markets are deficit or surplus regions for Omena. A multistage sampling procedure resulted to a total of 43 fishermen; 42 small scale processors; 20 wholesalers; 31 retailers; 32 domestic consumers; and 7 industrial consumers making a grand total number of 175 respondents. Questionnaires were adopted as the major tools of data collection using one-on-one interviews. To analyze the resultant data, the study utilized gross margin analysis and co-integration modeling. Results indicate that Omena marketing channels are to a large degree effective as it regards to meeting the consumption needs. However, results also indicated that longer marketing channels resulted not only to high costs and thus high retail prices; but also to lower returns to the fishermen. Further, the study identified that there is no integration amongst Omena markets in Kisumu and Nakuru and that a weak degree of integration existed between Kisumu and Nairobi. Information generated by this study is important in guiding policy makers to identify points of interventions as well as in designing effective and efficient Omena marketing channels.Marketing,

Numerical analysis of a micro horizontal axis wind turbine tower under extreme loads

One of the major challenges in the development of horizontal axis wind turbine is the selection of appropriate and cost effective tower that will elevate the rotor meters above the ground for wind energy harvest. In this work a tubular structural steel material having an external diameter of 0.1 m, internal diameter of 0.092 m and height of 10 m was selected based on cost, mechanical properties and market availability for the tower. Response of this tower material due to simultaneously applied extreme static, dynamic and aerodynamic loading conditions was analyzed in terms of frequency of vibration, deformation and stress using the numerical code COMSOL Multi-physics 5.2. Three dimensional model of the structural steel tower was developed and boundary conditions defined in the numerical code’s model wizard interface. The tower was considered as a cantilever and a static load of 2128.77 N was applied at 10 m height in the plane. Dynamic load of 413.96 N was applied on the tower in the x,y,z planes and an aerodynamic load of 4967.58 N was applied as uniformly distributed loads in the x plane. Extra fine regular quadrilateral mesh was generated for the computation. Frequency response result of the transfer function at 110 GHz excitation shown in terms of electric field norm was uniformly distributed at the outer boundary layer of the tower with a minimum value of 3.7 x 10-79 V/m. The result of the deformation analysis under the predefined extreme loading conditions shows a maximum deflection value of 197 mm at 10 m height and 0 mm at 0 m height of the tower. Additionally, the stress analysis result shows a predicted maximum value 3.28 x 106 N/m2 between 0 m and 1.98 m height of the tower in the wind direction. The deformation was within the elastic limit of the tower material, because the total exerted extreme loads without the self-weight of the tower (2,397.54 N) was less than the determined safe load of the tower (7,107.96 N). The study has established that the selected horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) tower material was reliable under the predefined simultaneously applied extreme loads, thus the structural steel tower can function in areas this or similar loading conditions

Measuring gender norms about relationships in early adolescence : results from the global early adolescent study

Introduction: Gender norms are increasingly recognized as drivers of health and wellbeing. While early adolescence constitutes a critical window of development, there is limited understanding about how adolescents perceive gender relations across different cultural settings. This study used a mixed-method approach, grounded in the voices of young people around the world, to construct and test a cross-cultural scale assessing the perceptions of gender norms regulating romantic relationships between boys and girls in early adolescence. Methods: The study draws on the Global Early Adolescent study (GEAS), a study focusing on gender norms and health related outcomes over the course of adolescence in urban poor settings worldwide. In-depth interviews were first conducted among approximately 200 adolescents between 10-14 years in seven sites across 4 continents to identify common scripts guiding romantic relations in early adolescence. These scripts were then transformed into a multidimensional scale. The scale was tested among 120 adolescents in each of 14 GEAS sites, followed by a second pilot among 75 adolescents in six sites. We evaluated the psychometric criteria of each subscale using principal component analysis, and parallel analysis, followed by exploratory factor analysis to guide the selection of a more parsimonious set of items. Results: Results suggested a two-factor structure, consisting of an "adolescent romantic expectations" subscale and a "Sexual Double Standard" subscale. Both subscales yielded high internal validity in each site, with polychoric Cronbach alpha values above 0.70 with the exception of Kinshasa for the adolescent romantic expectations scale (0.64) and Hanoi for the sexual double standard scale (0.61). Conclusion: This study reveals common perceptions of gendered norms about romantic engagement in early adolescence, normative for both sexes, but socially valued for boys while devaluated for girls. The findings illustrate that social hierarchies of power in romantic relationships form early in adolescence, regardless of cultural setting

Design and Experimental Testing of a Solar Box Cooker with Paraffin Wax as Thermal Energy Storage Using Maiduguri Weather Condition

The performance of paraffin wax as phase change material (PCM) for thermal energy storage (TES) was investigated using a Solar Box Cooker (SBC) exposed to Maiduguri weather condition. Temperature and energy generated by SBC were experimentally established. The result shows tremendous improvement in energy storage compared to SBCs without TES in existence within Maiduguri and environs. The measured temperature and energy generated by the PCM in the experiment were 118oC and 4164.5KJ respectively, an adequate temperature and energy for cooking during off-sunshine hours and beyond. First figure of merit (F1) and second figure of merit (F2) were deduced to be 0.13 and 0.44 with overall SBC efficiency (ɳ) of 63% qualifying the SBC to grade A based on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS

Application of Stearic Acid for Solar Thermal Energy Storage in a Double Compartment Solar Box Cooker

Energy storage in some form is the need of the hour to even out the mismatch between energy supply and demand. Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system employing a phase change material (PCM) has been widely considered as an effective way to store and retrieve energy due to its high heat storage capacity at almost constant temperature during the phase change. In this work, an energy storage system was designed to study the heat transfer characteristics of stearic acid (as a phase change material in a double compartment solar box cooker (DCSBC) fabricated using wooden materials with high thermal energy storage system. In order to analyze the various characteristics of the PCM, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) was used throughout the experiment. Investigations were performed to determine the first and second figure of merits (F1 and F2) of compartments 1 and 2 (C1 and C2) simultaneously. The results for F1 were found to be (C1= 0.14 and C2= 0.15) and F2 were (C1=0.47 and C2= 0.4) while the overall thermal efficiency of the cooker after water boiling test for C1 with 2.5kg and C2 with 3kg of water were deduced to be 77% for C1 and 92% for C2 after six hours of the load test, showing considerable temperature increase and extension of heat retention making possible to cook the dinner and even breakfast the next day

Multiple Discourses On Sexuality Implications For Translating Sexual Wellness Concept Into Action Strategies In A Kenyan Context

This Paper attemps to map, drawing mainly from HIV and AIDS prevention interventions, the multiple discourses on sexuality. The aim is to provide a picture of the challenges and opportunities in transforming the concept of sexual wellness currently being articulated. This is a move from the commonly held view of sexuality as a threat to health, to one promoting sexual wellness or positive view of sexuality. A postcolonial conceptual perspective is used to help grasp the multiple-realities emerging from the historical influences on Africa and for reflexivity on the ambivalences and representations of Africa and African culture including sexuality.Key words: sexuality, complexity, moral sensitivity, postcolonial, HIV and AI

An Empirical Study of Household Energy Use and the Negative Externality of Co2 Emission in the North-East Region of Nigeria

This study empirically analyzed the link between household energy use and the negative externality of CO2 emission in the North-East Zone of Nigeria. Secondary data was used for the study, obtained from NBS on general household survey (2013). The study employed CLA and OLS model. The results revealed that petrol was the major CO2 emitter with the total amount of 5139.367kg but charcoal was the dirties energy source because it emitted four times more CO2 than its actual kg that was used. Also, household monthly income, age, family size and rural-urban dichotomy were found to influence negative externalities (CO2) positively at 1% level of significance each. The policy implication of this study implies that electricity and LPG are the cleanest fuel. The study therefore, recommended policies to improve electricity and LPG production and supply at subsidized rate and to tax any energy source that is environment unfriendly. Keywords: Household, Energy, Negative Externalities, CO2, Emissio

INSECTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF GARLIC (Alium sativum (L.)) OIL ON Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) IN POST-HARVEST COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata (L.) WALP.)

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of garlic oil on Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) in three cowpea varieties (Borno brown, Mubi white and Iron beans).  Ten grams in 3 replicates for untreated (check) and 4 levels of garlic Alium sativum (L.) seed oil treatments (0.1, 0.2,0.4 and 0.6 ml) were infested with 3 pairs of 0 - 3 days old C. maculatus for pre and post oviposition.  Experiments were conducted under ambient conditions of 25- 30oC and 27 - 56% relative humidity.  Data on number of eggs laid and progeny emergence were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA).  Significantly different means were separated using the Least Significant difference at 5% level of probability.  Result showed that the number of eggs laid and adults that emerged from untreated grains of the varieties were each significantly  (p<0.05) different from the number of eggs that were laid and adults that emerged from all treated grain of the varieties.  The study also showed that cowpea grains infested with 1 - 5 day old eggs of C. maculatus can be prevented from damage by the bruchid.  Grain treatment with garlic oil before oviposition drastically suppressed oviposition, egg-hatch and development by the cowpea bruchid consequently the emergence of few to zero adults.  Both pre and post oviposition grain treatments were effective in the management of the beetle. However, treatment before oviposition appeared to be more effective in protecting cowpea grains against infestation and damage.   Key words: Damage, C. maculatus, garlic oil, varieties, pre-oviposition, post-ovipotio