Evaluating the Effect of a Nurse Navigator in Increasing Colorectal Screening

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse navigator in increasing colorectal (CRC) screening in primary care setting. METHODS: This was a descriptive retrospective study of the effect of nurse navigators in increasing colorectal screening in primary care settings within Jefferson county and its surrounding counties. The sample consisted of 200 patient chart reviews for the period of September 1st through December 31st, 2017. Rates of colorectal screening were compared in those who received a nurse navigator call and those who did not. RESULTS: Overall screening rates were 44.6%. A distinct increase in screening was identified when patients were contacted by a nurse navigator. CONCLUSION: The study findings support the nurse navigator’s role in colorectal screening. These findings may further help clarify the nurse navigator’s role in cancer screening and treatment plans within communities. Further research is needed using a larger study sample to identify a continuous trend

Spermiogenesis and in Vitro Culture of Spermatogenic Cysts in Drosophila Pseudoobscura

Spennatogenesis is a complex process that involves differentiation and morphological changes of diploid stem cells into highly specialized, haploid, motile germ cells. Many of the transformative processes involved in mammalian spermatogenesis are conserved in flies, and their study would be facilitated by the availability of a reliable in vitro culture system. Culture of Drosophila melanogaster spermatogenic cysts is limited in usefulness because of early degeneration of cysts, low yield of elongated spermatozoa, and rare occurrences of motile sperm. We have developed a culture system for studying fly spermatogenesis using isolated spermatogenic cysts from the testes of Drosophila pseudoobscura. This species offers several advantages over D. melanogaster: (!) D. pseudoobscura testes can be easily distinguished in pupal stages due to intense red pigmentation, (2) survival of cysts to the elongated, motile form is easily achieved and highly repeatable, and (3) only minimal media is necessary in order to grow sperm to motility. Cysts containing primary spermatocytes isolated from late-stage pupa developed into motile sperm usually within five days of culture. Cysts underwent meiosis, elongation, individualization and coiling just as in D. melanogaster. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Drosophila sperm cell culture where motility is consistently achieved. This culture system should prove valuable for spermatogenesis studies where cellular transformation processes must be manipulated in vitro

An inquiry into changes in everyday bicycling cultures: the case of Johannesburg in conversation with Amsterdam, Beijing and Chicago

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Johannesburg October 2017This thesis examines shifts in the everyday use of bicycles in the different contexts that are the subject of this study. In doing so it explores how associated symbolic meanings are produced and reproduced and shape everyday cycling. While many studies have shown how meanings and other cultural attributes influence cycling, there has been insufficient focus into their formation in the cycling literature leading to calls for greater understanding into their formation. Other studies shedding light into production processes reside in different scholarly traditions, limiting the possibility of interdisciplinary learning. Understanding how meanings are produced and the role of context in particular, responds to queries in the cycling literature. It can also support context sensitive policy solutions to promote bicycling for transport. To explore these questions and objectives, a historical comparative study into the changing use of bicycles for everyday purposes in Johannesburg, Amsterdam, Beijing and Chicago is undertaken. Using a framework of analysis from transitions theory, the thesis argues that meanings emerge and change through a dynamic interrelated process involving actor activities in building or unravelling a bicycling socio-technical system and alternative ground transport solutions, contextual characteristics and associated changes, and cycling experiences. In these processes, (in)equalities in social relations resident in contexts play an important role in the production of meaning. Moreover, as meanings emerge, they do so together with user practices, technology, infrastructures, social norms, and other elements that constitute transport systems. Since there are multiple co-interacting factors that produce meanings about bicycling, policy efforts could with advantage pay attention to these and in particular how they assume specificities in contexts. The thesis also breaks ground by offering a novel empirical history of everyday cycling in Johannesburg.XL201

Spermiogenesis and in Vitro Culture of Spermatogenic Cysts in Drosophila Pseudoobscura

Spennatogenesis is a complex process that involves differentiation and morphological changes of diploid stem cells into highly specialized, haploid, motile germ cells. Many of the transformative processes involved in mammalian spermatogenesis are conserved in flies, and their study would be facilitated by the availability of a reliable in vitro culture system. Culture of Drosophila melanogaster spermatogenic cysts is limited in usefulness because of early degeneration of cysts, low yield of elongated spermatozoa, and rare occurrences of motile sperm. We have developed a culture system for studying fly spermatogenesis using isolated spermatogenic cysts from the testes of Drosophila pseudoobscura. This species offers several advantages over D. melanogaster: (!) D. pseudoobscura testes can be easily distinguished in pupal stages due to intense red pigmentation, (2) survival of cysts to the elongated, motile form is easily achieved and highly repeatable, and (3) only minimal media is necessary in order to grow sperm to motility. Cysts containing primary spermatocytes isolated from late-stage pupa developed into motile sperm usually within five days of culture. Cysts underwent meiosis, elongation, individualization and coiling just as in D. melanogaster. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Drosophila sperm cell culture where motility is consistently achieved. This culture system should prove valuable for spermatogenesis studies where cellular transformation processes must be manipulated in vitro

Decolonising Sex: Fifty Shades of Rape

This article explores how ideas of patriarchy have shaped the nature and effect of rape law. It argues that rape law reinforces patriarchy, and because of the inherent inconsistencies between the male roles of aggressor and protector, it has remained ineffective. Taking Kenya as its springboard, it analyses how ideas of sexual relations within and outside marriage are transplanted through colonialism; and how they morph and merge with analogous indigenous conceptions to entrench and formalise the continued subjugation of the female body. It explores the unintended consequences of the internationalisation of English Monogamy; and rape law reform and its continuity/discontinuity with the Civilising Mission

Determinants of Sustainability for Fish Farming Project Initiative under the Economic Stimulus Programme in Kenya. A Case of the Central Constituency of Kirinyaga County

This study explored the determinants of sustainability for fish farming project initiative under the economic stimulus programme in Kenya. The specific objectives for this study were: project strategies, implementation process, a availability of capital and support services. A descriptive research design was used and both qualitative and quantitative were explored in this study. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select this sample from each stratum and data was collected using instruments which were open and closed-ended questionnaires. A pilot test was conducted on 10% of the respondents to test the instruments for reliability and validity. Data was analyzed with the help of SPSS version 21 To ensure sustainability of fish farming, this study recommends that only areas with enough water resources and enough raw for the manufacture of fish feeds should be considered for fish farming. Fish feed is the most expensive component in fish farming the world over and this study also reaffirmed that it was among the major determinants of sustainability of fish farming. This study therefore recommends that the national government may partner with County governments and address how to make fish feeds affordable and readily available to farmers. Keywords: Project strategies, implementation process, availability of capital and support service

Land use and tenure: entitlement rights for community-based wildlife and forest conservation in Taita Taveta, Kenya

This paper, discusses land use and tenure in terms of entitlement rights. Land is viewed as the basic resource through which other biological resources - in this case, wildlife and forests - are owned, used managed and contested. In this regard, key issues in the concept of entitlement rights are highlighted. In this context the paper then discusses briefly land, land use and tenure in Kenya. It narrows down to analyse land use and tenure in Taita Taveta District, describing the present tenure status with the aim of identifying 'who owns which land and what use they make of it'. The rationale for the establishment and subsequent demarcation of the conservation areas (Tsavo National Park, existing and planned sanctuaries and various forest reserves) is also reviewed, with a focus on entitlement rights. Finally, the paper demonstrates that there is competition for land between the local communities, and between them and wildlife and forest conservation. This competition is viewed as the main reason for biodiversity loss and human-wildlife conflict Therefore, clear entidement rights to land -ownership, use and interventionism - would lead to fewer contestations and competition, ameliorate loss of biodiversity, human-wildlife conflict and facilitate socio-economic development

The mineral composition of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea(L) Verdc) grown in Southern Africa

The mineral content of nine landraces of bambara groundnut cultivated in Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland respectively was investigated. The raw seeds were analysed for Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Cu, Fe and Zn. The ranges (mg/100 g dry matter) obtained for the macro minerals are: Ca 37-128, K 1545-2200, Mg 159-335, Na 16-25, P 313-563, and for the micro minerals (ppm): Cu 3.0-13.2, Fe 23.0-150 and Zn 13.9-77.0. There were similarities and differences in the components determined in the landraces grown in a particular country and between the same landraces grown in different countries. This legume is a goodsource of, Ca, K, Mg, P and Fe. The Mg and P contents are similar to those of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea, P 376 and Mg 168). Landraces grown in Swaziland seem to have higher mineral contents than those grown in Botswana and Namibia. The concentration of the minerals in this legume indicates that they could be useful in the diets of consumers in Botswana, Swaziland and Namibia

PARENTING STYLES AS PREDICTORS OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG SELECTED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN EMBU COUNTY, KENYA

The role of parents in helping their children to face the adolescence challenges and specifically the challenge of drug abuse cannot be underestimated; however, the extent to which parenting styles predetermine secondary school students’ involvement in drugs is not well understood. This study investigated parenting styles, as predictors of drug abuse among public secondary school students in Embu County, Kenya. A population of 8820 (4886 girls and 3934 boys) form two and three students distributed in 132 public secondary schools in Embu County was targeted. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 15 schools which had reported more cases of drug abuse for the last three years in the county. Stratified random sampling and systematic random sampling were used to select 399 participants (221 girls and 178 boys). Purposive sampling was used to select 15 Guidance and counseling teachers and 70 secondary school dropouts from the 15 schools. Reliability for the parenting styles questionnaires and risky behaviours were calculated an average Cronbach alpha (α) of α = 0.82 for parenting styles questionnaires was reported and for risky behaviours α = 0.78. Multiple linear regression showed that parenting styles significantly predict drug abuse among secondary school students, and that parenting styles accounts for, 64.4% (R2=0.644, p< 0.05) of students’ drug abuse, The study, therefore, recommends that the government through the Ministry of Education should   train   the teacher counselor, to identify and counsel drug abusing students and train parents on how to handle drug abusive children   Article visualizations