The advancement of women in decision-making roles in Nigeria, Tunisia and South Africa [abstract]

Abstract only availableAs democratic systems replaced previous military or single party governments, the social and political environment in Africa presented the opportunity for more gender equal participation in the political realm and women's roles in decision-making became an important issue. However, despite the establishment of democratic governments, in terms of positions and salience, women's progress in this area has failed to reach its potential (Tripp 2001). Pre-colonial and colonial ideas of masculine dominance continue to thrive and men occupy well over the majority of decision-making positions, resulting in the under-representation of women. This study will investigate why women's progress, in light of the establishment of democratic systems, has failed to provide gender-equal representation in the area of decision-making, as stipulated by the Beijing Platform for Action. The Beijing Platform for Action (1995) was the outcome of an international conference that pointed out issues of concern in many areas of women's lives, including political life. On this issue, the Platform for Action called for action on the part of countries and international organizations to implement more gender-equal representation to promote better governance (United Nations 1995). This project examines the responses and progress of three post-colonial African countries to increase women's participation in decision-making in the national politics. There exist in these countries both indigenous institutions and Western-style institutions inherited from colonialism that in many ways disenfranchise women. This project shows that in order to increase women's representation, these countries must modify these systems in the areas of education, laws, policies and women's associations, thereby executing a multifaceted approach to reform these both indigenous and modern institutions so as to bring women forward in national politics.McNair Scholars Progra

Determination of the Dielectric Constants of Carbonated Linear Low Density Polyethylene

Here, we investigated the dielectric constant of carbonated polymer using inductor capacitance resonance circuit. We considered Linear Low Density Polyethylene. The result revealed that the dielectric constant of the polymer increased at the increase in carbon weight. The dielectric constant for linear low density polyethylene is 2.29-7.94 as the percentage carbon increased from 0% to 75%. This showed that charcoal is good for carbonation of polymer

UTILIZATION OF E-LEARNING RESOURCES AMONG LECTURERS IN NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY STUDY CENTERS IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

Despite the effort of the Federal Government of Nigeria to enhance the quality of the learning process in Nigerian universities by introducing the use of ICT resources in schools through which lecturers will acquire knowledge and skills that would enable them source the internet and utilize e-learning resources for qualitative teaching, the attainment of the e-learning objectives in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) appears elusive. The study investigated the utilization of e-learning resources among lecturers in National Open University study centers in South East Nigeria. Three research questions guided the study, while survey design was adopted. The population of the study comprised all the 724 facilitators in National Open University study centers, South East Nigeria. The sample size comprised 84 lecturers obtained through simple random sampling and accidental sampling techniques. Questionnaire was used to collect data. The reliabilities of the clusters in the instrument which were ascertained with Cronbach alpha method were found to be 0.71, 0.80 and 0.77. The data collected were analyzed using mean. The findings of the study revealed that many of the lecturers utilized e-learning resources for instructional delivery, research purposes and evaluation purposes. Based on the findings, it was recommended that University administrators should promote the use of e learning among lecturers by providing technologically enhanced libraries in order to support the use of e learning for the tripartite purposes of instructional delivery, research and evaluation. Article visualizations

Interleukin 4 promotes the development of ex-Foxp3 Th2 cells during immunity to intestinal helminths

Immunity to intestinal helminth infections requires the rapid activation of T helper 2 cells (Th2 cells). However, simultaneous expansion of CD4 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells (T reg cells) impedes protective responses, resulting in chronic infections. The ratio between T reg and effector T cells can therefore determine the outcome of infection. The redifferentiation of T reg cells into Th cells has been identified in hyperinflammatory diseases. In this study, we asked whether ex–T reg Th2 cells develop and contribute to type-2 immunity. Using multigene reporter and fate-reporter systems, we demonstrate that a significant proportion of Th2 cells derive from Foxp3 + cells after Heligmosomoides polygyrus infection and airway allergy. Ex-Foxp3 Th2 cells exhibit characteristic Th2 effector functions and provide immunity to H. polygyrus . Through selective deletion of Il4ra on Foxp3 + cells, we further demonstrate IL-4 is required for the development of ex-Foxp3 Th2 cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that converting T reg cells into Th2 cells could concomitantly enhance Th2 cells and limit T reg cell–mediated suppression

Editorial: Embodying an Anti-Racist Architecture

field: Issue 8 Embodying an Anti-Racist Architecture responds to two appeals. The first is a demand. In September 2020 our students at the Sheffield School of Architecture, University of Sheffield published the ‘Anti-Racism at SSoA: A Call to Action’, a document condemning the ways in which the school and university institution are complicit in systemic racism in architecture, and demanding ‘immediate action and concrete change’. The second appeal is less explicit. In 2007 Renata Tyszczuk and Doina Petrescu launched the inaugural issue of field: a new journal intended to create an open forum for the practice and research of architecture. The first issue was appropriately dedicated to exploring indeterminacy, recognising the difficulty of defining the contours of architectural practice and research. As the name of the publication suggests, the journal emerges from the conviction that research into spatial practices involves, by necessity, ‘interlocking yet distributed fields of knowledge’

Adaptation and validation of the Nigerian (IGBO) version of the WHOQOL-OLD module

Objective: To adapt and validate the original English version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-version for older adults (WHOQOL-OLD) in Igbo language, culture, and environment. Participants: Community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) from Nnewi community in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-cultural adaptation and validation study. The original English version of the WHOQOL-OLD was translated into Igbo language, synthesized, backward translated into the English language, subjected to expert panel review, and pretested. The Igbo and English versions of the WHOQOL-OLD were then used to assess the quality of life among consecutively recruited 109 older adults through interviewer-administration. Findings: The structure of the Igbo version of the WHOQOL-OLD differed from that of the original WHOQOL-OLD. The Igbo version of the WHOQOL-OLD displayed acceptable internal consistency (0.63–0.95), known-group validity (0.60–0.99), convergent validity, and ceiling and floor effects. Conclusion: The I-WHOQOL-OLD is a reliable and valid tool and thus can be used as an outcome measure among Igbo-speaking older adults

Transcriptomics identified a critical role for Th2 cell-intrinsic miR-155 in mediating allergy and antihelminth immunity

Allergic diseases, orchestrated by hyperactive CD4^(+) Th2 cells, are some of the most common global chronic diseases. Therapeutic intervention relies upon broad-scale corticosteroids with indiscriminate impact. To identify targets in pathogenic Th2 cells, we took a comprehensive approach to identify the microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA transcriptome of highly purified cytokine-expressing Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, and Treg cells both generated in vitro and isolated ex vivo from allergy, infection, and autoimmune disease models. We report here that distinct regulatory miRNA networks operate to regulate Th2 cells in house dust mite-allergic or helminth-infected animals and in vitro Th2 cells, which are distinguishable from other T cells. We validated several miRNA (miR) candidates (miR-15a, miR-20b, miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-200c), which targeted a suite of dynamically regulated genes in Th2 cells. Through in-depth studies using miR-155^(−/−) or miR-146a^(−/−) T cells, we identified that T-cell–intrinsic miR-155 was required for type-2 immunity, in part through regulation of S1pr1, whereas T-cell–intrinsic miR-146a was required to prevent overt Th1/Th17 skewing. These data identify miR-155, but not miR-146a, as a potential therapeutic target to alleviate Th2-medited inflammation and allergy

High Response Rate With Extended Dosing of Cemiplimab in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Cemiplimab (Libtayo METHODS: In this open-label, phase II trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02760498), the cohort of patients ≥18 years old with advanced CSCC received cemiplimab 600 mg intravenously Q4W for up to 48 weeks. Tumor measurements were recorded every 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was objective response rate by independent central review. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients with advanced CSCC were treated with cemiplimab. The median duration of follow-up was 22.4 months (range: 1.0-39.8). An objective response was observed in 39 patients (62%; 95% CI: 48.8% to 73.9%), with 22% of patients (n CONCLUSIONS: Extended dosing of cemiplimab 600 mg intravenously Q4W exhibited substantial antitumor activity, rapid and durable responses, and an acceptable safety profile in patients with advanced CSCC. These results confirm that cemiplimab is a highly active therapy for advanced CSCC. Additional data would help ascertain the benefit-risk profile for the 600 mg intravenous dosing regimen compared with the approved regimen