Assessment of the Extent to which Productive Sector Policies Mainstream Sustainable Land Management Principles

This paper provides an assessment of the extent to which productive sector policies mainstream sustainable land management (SLM) principles and suggests how mainstreaming of these principles could be strengthened and be more effective in Kilimanjaro region. Primary data was collected using qualitative methods including in-depth interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. Key informants included government officials, SLM project staff, NGOs and representatives of communities. Secondary data was gathered from review of relevant literature including government policies, strategies, project documents and other research materials. The data collected were analysed using content analysis and synthesised to determine the extent to which the productive sector policies mainstream sustainable land management principles. Findings indicate that several relevant NRM sectors have mainstreamed SLM principles, namely improved land productivity, improved livelihood and improved ecosystems. The degree to which these policies have mainstreamed SLM principles vary from adequately, moderately, and slightly. Despite the reported degree of mainstreaming the SLM principles in sector polices several challenges undermine the process, including land scarcity, land tenure, inadequate enforcement of policies, land use conflicts, human and financial resources constraints, and climate change. Various stakeholders are involved in SLM initiatives, ranging from local communities to international organisations. The diversity of stakeholders requires well coordinated efforts so as to maximise synergies and complementarities between the various actors. Also more effort has to be done at policy level to ensure that all sector policies adequately address sustainability in natural resources management to ensure that land productivity, livelihoods and ecosystems are improved.

Assessment of National Natural Resources Policies Implementation in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

The Kilimanjaro landscape provides a range of ecosystem services such as water, local climate modification, tourism and support of local livelihoods. Land degradation has, however, seriously threatened the landscape ability in providing these services, leading to decreased land productivity This paper is based on a study conducted in Kilimanjaro region to provide an understanding of how effectively natural resources-related policies are implemented by land users, and how they practically guide sustainable land management. Data collection involved interviews with purposively selected progressive farmers using a structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews with key informants, mainly district officials, NGOs and CBOs representatives and focus group discussions, as well as review of relevant literature. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS, while qualitative data were triangulated using content analysis. Findings indicated that there are several policies related to natural resource management that are both cross-cutting and cross-sectoral in nature. While majority of respondents were aware of the various policies, male respondents were more aware than females, influenced by customary male dominance in natural resource issues. The policies are implemented at various levels, taking different forms and involve various stakeholders, including individuals, groups, NGOs, CBOs and public institutions. Generally, communities are actively participating in SLM activities though influenced by several pull and push factors in policy implementation in the area. The paper argues that for effective implementation of the natural resources policies there is a need to review and harmonise the sectoral policies with changing internal and external conditions such as economic transformation, globalization and climate change.

Barriers to men who have sex with men attending HIV related health services in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The HIV/ AIDS disease burden is disproportionately high among men who have sex with men (MSM) worldwide. If this group will continue to be ignored they will continue to be the focus of HIV infection to the general population. This study explored barriers impeding MSM utilizing the HIV related health services currently available. The objectives of the study were to: (i) determine how stigma and discrimination affect MSM attendance to HIV related health services; (ii) determine how health care worker’s (HCW’s) practices and attitudes towards MSM affect their attendance to HIV related health service; (iii) learn MSM’s perception towards seeking HIV related health services and other factors affecting accessibility of HIV related health services among MSM in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This was a descriptive study whereby qualitative methods were employed, using in-depth interviews for 50 individuals and focus group discussions for 5 groups which were conducted at PASADA premises, in Temeke district in 2012. After transcription data was read through, codes created were then collapsed into themes which were interpreted. The findings of this study show that majority of the study participants access HIV related health services in Dar es Salaam when they need to. However, they reported stigma and discrimination, lack of confidentiality and privacy, lack of availability and MSM friendly HIV related health services, financial challenges, poor practices and negative attitudes directed towards them by health workers, fears and lack of HIV knowledge among them as barriers for them to access these services. With these findings, there is an importance of enabling MSM to overcome the perceived stigma when seeking for HIV related health services. Also there is a need to conduct further research with regards to how HCW’s treat this group and their understanding on same sex practices

Antipsychotic prescribing for vulnerable populations: a clinical audit at an acute Australian mental health unit at two-time points

Background: Antipsychotics are recognised as a critical intervention for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Guidelines globally endorse the routine practice of antipsychotic monotherapy, at the minimum effective dose. Even in treatmentresistant schizophrenia, clozapine use is endorsed before combining antipsychotics. This aim of this study was to review antipsychotic polytherapy alone, high-dose therapy alone, polytherapy and highdose prescribing patterns in adults discharged from an inpatient mental health unit at two time-points, and the alignment of this prescribing with clinical guideline recommendations. Additionally, associations with polytherapy and high-dose antipsychotic prescribing, including patient and clinical characteristics, were explored. Methods: A retrospective clinical audit of 400 adults (200 patients at two different time-points) discharged with at least one antipsychotic. Preliminary findings and education sessions were provided to physicians between Cohorts. Outcomes (polytherapy alone, high-dose therapy alone, polytherapy and high-dose therapy) were compared between study Cohorts using chi-squared and rank-sum tests. Associations between outcomes and covariates were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Most patients (62.5%) were discharged on a single antipsychotic within the recommended dose range. There was a clear preference for prescribing second generation antipsychotics, and in this respect, prescribing is aligned with current evidence-based guidelines. However, sub-optimal prescribing practices were identified for both Cohorts in relation to polytherapy and high-dose antipsychotic rates. Involuntary treatment, frequent hospitalisations and previous clozapine use significantly increased the risk of all three prescribing outcomes at discharge. Conclusions: In a significant minority, antipsychotic prescribing did not align with clinical guidelines despite increased training, indicating that the education program alone was ineffective at positively influencing antipsychotic prescribing practices. Further consideration should be given when prescribing antipsychotics for involuntary patients, people with frequent hospitalisations, and those who have previously trialled clozapine

Narcissism and the strategic pursuit of short-term mating : universal links across 11 world regions of the International Sexuality Description Project-2.

Previous studies have documented links between sub-clinical narcissism and the active pursuit of short-term mating strategies (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality, marital infidelity, mate poaching). Nearly all of these investigations have relied solely on samples from Western cultures. In the current study, responses from a cross-cultural survey of 30,470 people across 53 nations spanning 11 world regions (North America, Central/South America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and East Asia) were used to evaluate whether narcissism (as measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory; NPI) was universally associated with short-term mating. Results revealed narcissism scores (including two broad factors and seven traditional facets as measured by the NPI) were functionally equivalent across cultures, reliably associating with key sexual outcomes (e.g., more active pursuit of short-term mating, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression) and sex-related personality traits (e.g., higher extraversion and openness to experience). Whereas some features of personality (e.g., subjective well-being) were universally associated with socially adaptive facets of Narcissism (e.g., self-sufficiency), most indicators of short-term mating (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality and marital infidelity) were universally associated with the socially maladaptive facets of narcissism (e.g., exploitativeness). Discussion addresses limitations of these cross-culturally universal findings and presents suggestions for future research into revealing the precise psychological features of narcissism that facilitate the strategic pursuit of short-term mating

Narcisismo y búsqueda estratégica del emparejamiento a corto plazo a través de las culturas: Enlaces omnipresentes a través de 11 regiones mundiales del Proyecto de la descripción de la sexualidad internacional 2

Previous studies have documented links between sub-clinical narcissism and the active pursuit of short-term mating strategies (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality, marital infidelity, mate poaching). Nearly all of these investigations have relied solely on samples from Western cultures. In the current study, responses from a cross-cultural survey of 30,470 people across 53 nations spanning 11 world regions (North America, Central/South America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and East Asia) were used to evaluate whether narcissism (as measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory; NPI) was universally associated with short-term mating. Results revealed narcissism scores (including two broad factors and seven traditional facets as measured by the NPI) were functionally equivalent across cultures, reliably associating with key sexual outcomes (e.g., more active pursuit of short-term mating, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression) and sex-related personality traits (e.g., higher extraversion and openness to experience). Whereas some features of personality (e.g., subjective well-being) were universally associated with socially adaptive facets of Narcissism (e.g., self-sufficiency), most indicators of short-term mating (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality and marital infidelity) were universally associated with the socially maladaptive facets of narcissism (e.g., exploitativeness). Discussion addresses limitations of these cross-culturally universal findings and presents suggestions for future research into revealing the precise psychological features of narcissism that facilitate the strategic pursuit of short-term mating.Estudios previos, en primer lugar a través de las muestras de culturas occidentales, han documentado asociaciones sistemáticas del narcisismo subclínico con múltiples indicadores de estrategias del emparejamiento a corto plazo (p. ej. sociosexualidad ilimitada, infidelidad, caza de pareja). En este estudio se han usado respuestas de la encuesta transcultural de 30.470 personas de 53 naciones de 11 regiones mundiales (América del Norte, América del Sur/América Central, Europa del Norte, Europa del Oeste, Europa del Este, Europa del Sur, Oriente Próximo, África, Asia del Sur/Sudoeste de Asia, Asia del Este y Oceanía) para evaluar si el narcisismo (medido por el Inventario de Personalidad Narcisista; NPI) se asocia panuniversalmente con los indicadores del emparejamiento a corto plazo, tanto en la dirección, como en la intensidad. Los resultados sugieren que el narcisismo (incluidos muchos aspectos suyos medidos por el NPI) tiene las mismas asociaciones básicas con los rasgos de personalidad relacionados con el sexo (p. ej. extraversión alta) y con los resultados sexuales claves (p. ej. búsqueda más activa de las estrategias del emparejamiento a corto plazo) a través de las 11 mayores regiones mundiales del PDSI 2. La discusión se enfoca en las implicaciones y limitaciones del estudio actual

Ecotoxicity of Mercury Contaminated Sediment Collected from Mabubi River (Geita district, Tanzania) to the Early Life Stages of African Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus )

The quality of Hg contaminated sediments in artisanal gold mining areas of Tanzania have to date only been assessed through bulk chemical analysis. However, measurement of contaminant levels alone has a limited ability to predict adverse effects on living resources. In this study we investigated the possible effects of Hg contaminated sediments from the river Mabubi which drains the artisanal gold mine on the hatching success, larval survival and growth of the African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ). The tested species is a resident fish whose demersal behaviour keeps it in frequent contact with the sediment. Sediments collected downstream of the mine decreased survival and impaired growth of Clarias gariepinus but did not affect its hatching success. These effects were observed up to six kilometres downstream of the mining activity. The calculated 5 d-LC50 value (larval survival) was 1.75 µg/g Hg dw (95% CL of 0.72 - 2.53), the 5d-NOEC for hatching was >2.3 µg/g Hg dw and that for larval survival and growth was 0.23 µg/g Hg dw. In conclusion, chemistry and ecotoxicity results from this study suggest that sediments collected downstream of the mine adversely affect catfish and probably other fauna and as such present a considerable local environmental risk

Recommendations for a uniform assessment of publication bias related to funding source

Contains fulltext : 125836.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Numerous studies on publication bias in clinical drug research have been undertaken, particularly on the association between sponsorship and favourable outcomes. However, no standardized methodology for the classification of outcomes and sponsorship has been described. Dissimilarities and ambiguities in this assessment impede the ability to compare and summarize results of studies on publication bias. To guide authors undertaking such studies, this paper provides recommendations for a uniform assessment of publication bias related to funding source. METHODS AND RESULTS: As part of ongoing research into publication bias, 472 manuscripts on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with drugs, submitted to eight medical journals from January 2010 through April 2012, were reviewed. Information on trial results and sponsorship was extracted from manuscripts. During the start of this evaluation, several problems related to the classification of outcomes, inclusion of post-hoc analyses and follow-up studies of RCTs in the study sample, and assessment of the role of the funding source were encountered. A comprehensive list of recommendations addressing these problems was composed. To assess internal validity, reliability and usability of these recommendations were tested through evaluation of manuscripts submitted to journals included in our study. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed recommendations represent a first step towards a uniform method of classifying trial outcomes and sponsorship. This is essential to draw valid conclusions on the role of the funding source in publication bias and will ensure consistency across future studies