Association between Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 with Prevalent Diabetes Mellitus Among the US Adults: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2016

Background:Infectious diseases are associated with an increase in the risk of developing insulin resistance and subsequent diabetes mellitus due to a possible role of chronic inflammation. While this relationship is well established for viral infections like hepatitis C or hepatitis B, little is known about the association of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) with diabetes mellitus. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the data from the 2007-2016 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants from the age group of 18-49 years with valid diabetes mellitus and HSV-1 and HSV-2 results and who completed the interview and examination were eligible for the analysis. HSV-1 and HSV-2 were defined by type specific enzymatic immunodot assay as positive or negative. Diabetes status was defined by glycohemoglobin level (HbA1c) as euglycemic (≤5.6%), prediabetes (5.7-6.4%), and diabetes (≥6.5%); participants who self-reported being diabetic were considered as having diabetes regardless of their HBA1c levels. We conducted logistic regression analysis to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of diabetes mellitus comparing participants with positive HSV-1 and HSV-2 to those with negative HSV-1 and HSV-2. Results: The prevalence of HSV-1 among participants with diabetes was 67.2% (95% CI 62.3,72.0), and the prevalence of HSV-2 among participants with diabetes was 26.9% (95% CI 23.2,30.7). The prevalence of diabetes among participants with HSV-1 infection was 5.7% (95% CI 5.1,6.3), and the prevalence of diabetes among HSV-2 infection was 7.9% (95% CI 6.8,8.9). After adjusting for confounding factors, the odds of diabetes versus euglycemia among participants with HSV-1 was 1.05 (95% CI 0.9,1.2), and odds of diabetes versus euglycemia among participants with HSV 2 was 1.1 (95% CI 0.9,1.2). Conclusion: After controlling for potential confounders, HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections are not associated with diabetes mellitus in the US population aged 18-49 years, 2007-201

An Assessment of Students' Attitudes towards Peer Counsellors in Student Discipline in Secondary Schools in Kisumu Municipality, Kenya

The attitude of the counselee towards the counsellor is crucial factor in determining the results of the counselling process. Adolescents are readily guided and influenced by one who understands them, listens to them and is of their status. This paper examines the attitude of students on the role of peer counsellors in managing student discipline based on a study of public secondary schools in Kisumu Municipality. Cross-sectional survey design was used in the study. The study population consisted of 28 head teachers, 28 heads of guidance and counselling department, 532 peer counsellors and 3,250 students in 28 public secondary schools. Stratified random sampling was used to select 10 head teachers, 10 Heads of Department of Guidance and Counselling, 110 peer counsellors and 300 form two and three students. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data. Questionnaires were administered to heads of guidance and counselling and students while head teachers were interviewed, face to face. Research instruments were piloted in three secondary schools to determine their reliability and validity. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the quantitative data generated by questionnaires while qualitative data from interviews were transcribed and organized into themes, categories and subcategories as they emerged during the study. The study established that students valued peer counsellors and had a positive attitude towards them. It was thus recommended that that all peer counsellors be trained to effectively, efficiently and ethically handle counselling issues that students consult them about. The findings of this study may help teachers and education stakeholders to appreciate the role played by peer counsellors in managing student discipline and engage them more often. Keywords: Students, Attitudes, Peer Counsellors, Student Discipline, Secondary Schools, Kisumu Municipality, Keny

The sharing economy in the global South: Uber’s precarious labour force in Johannesburg

Submitted in the partial fulfilment for the Degree of Master of Arts in Development Studies Faculty of Humanities University of the Witwatersrand, March 2017The precarious existence of Uber drivers operating within Johannesburg’s metropolitan area is the primary area of study in which this dissertation has undertaken. Driver precarity, defined in the study as the loss of labour market security in various forms, is argued to stem from Uber’s sharing economy-inspired business model. The analysis of Uber’s business model, substantively focuses on the service’s dynamic pricing model of fare price setting, the implementation of a ‘rating’ system in which to evaluate driver performance and the use of ‘independent contractor’ labour. It is argued that each of these three Uber business practices place drivers in a position of precarity in the realm of their income, employment, work and job security. The study mobilises a qualitative research methodology, enlisting the methods of unstructured interviews on eight active Uber drivers, four autoethnographical observations on real-time work behaviour and document analysis to generate data for analysis. The prevailing argument made regarding Uber’s precarity-creation, is aided through a consultation of Guy Standing’s theorisation on precarity (2011), with Harvey’s flexible Accumulation theory (1990), Foucault’s Panopticism thesis (1975) and Hochschild’s emotional labour theory (1983) broadening the scope of the analysis.XL201

Screening of Napier Grass (\u3ci\u3ePennisetum purpureum\u3c/i\u3e Schumac.) Clones for Stunt Disease in Western Kenya

Napier stunt disease (NSD) is a threat to Napier grass farming in the smallholder dairy industry in east and central Africa. NSD in Kenya is caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma oryzae (Ns-phytoplasma) belonging to the 16SrXI group; vectored by a leaf hopper Maiestas banda. The objective of the study was to determine the incidence (proportion of diseased leaves) and severity (proportion of leaf area diseased [PLAD]) of stunt disease in Napier clones by screening in Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia Counties in Western Kenya. The Napier clones were germplasm collections maintained at KALRO Kitale and Muguga nurseries and in farmers’ fields. Data were collected from twenty farmers’ open fields and eighteen Napier clones were planted in a replicate per farm. A total of 360 (n) observations were done within the Counties in 2013. Five cuts were done and each cut was done every eight weeks at each farm. Low stunt disease severity with mean PLAD of 0.084 (n=126) and low disease incidence with mean of 0.008 was observed in Kakamega county. This showed that there were few new infections in the farmers sites. Low severity with mean PLAD of 0.002 (n=126) and high stunt disease incidence with mean of 0.047 was observed in Bungoma county. Low severity was attributed to soils high in humus. Higher severity with mean PLAD of 0.408 (n=108) and high incidence with mean of 0.101 was observed in Busia county with songor and the farmer clones having high disease Incidence. The severity and incidence were attributed to a high exchange rate of the planting materials within Busia County and across border exchange. The Napier clones with the lowest incidences and severity indices after five cuts can be multiplied using either clonal or micro-propagation methods to supply to farmers

Mindfulness Meditation and Brain Signals: A Review

Medical science is already started to spread various effects of meditation on the brain using different tools and techniques like FMRI, brain mapping technology, EEG. This allows the researchers to be able to determine the outcome of meditation on the brain and brain rhythms. In clinical problems also the meditation plays the main role in solving the many mental and physical problems like chronic pain. In this paper, we see different types of meditation like yoga, TM, sahaji yoga, raj yoga, zen meditation their effects on the physical and psychological health of human being. Also, study the basics of EEG signals and the brain rhythms and behavioral states. Acknowledge the effect of meditation on brain through EEG signals

A STUDY ON IMPROVEMENT OF IQ LEVEL IN BORDERLINE MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN BY THE USE OF BRAHMI GHRITA AND JYOTISHMATI TAIL

Ayurveda is a life science having Prayojana (ultimate aim) prevention is better than cure and if patient is suffering from any disease then cure early. Health of body totally depends upon mind health. In Ayurvedic texts certain medications are prescribed for mental health and to treat underlying diseases such as Jadatva, Mandabuddhitva (mental retardation), which comes under the category cognitive deficit. Among various cognitive deficits, borderline mental retardation is an important entity which is a part of the cognition. In Ayurveda, there are some drugs which are more effective in mental retardation especially in the borderline mental retardation. The present research work has been planned to study only borderline mental retarded children with the use of Brahmi ghrita & Jyotishmati tail. In IQ level, the mean score before treatment was 80.06 which were increased to 81.56 after treatment showing 1.92% improvement. The result found was statistically highly significant with p value <0.001. This may be due to the Medhya prabhavas of drugs like B. monnieri and C. paniculatus which increases grasping and intellectual ability. Past studies also supports this data. B. monnieri, C. pluricaulis have proven improved learning and memory enhancing activity (intellectual functions)

ROLE OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL PLANTS IN CHILDHOOD NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS: AN EVIDENCE BASED APPROACH

The concept of mental health has been dealt in Ayurveda with great emphasis. In our classical texts, the equilibrium of Satva-Raja-Tama is considered as foundation for perfect health status. The principles of Ayurveda still hold very true in managing childhood neuropsychiatric disorders.Medhya drugs has been used since antiquity for the effective management of the disorders. But in this era of scientific aptitude, it is the need of hour to practice evidence based medicine by the use of various Medhya drugs described in Ayurvedic texts for the management of neuropsychiatric disorders.Medhya herbs provide special nourishment to neuronal tissue and are thus used to enhance memory, cognition, and help in coping various neuropsychiatric problems. In this context, the present paper will focus on scientific exploration of Medhya dravyas like Brahmi (Bacopa monneri), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pleuricaulis), Jatamansi (Nordostachys jatamansi) and Vacha (Acorus calamus) to validate the ancient views regarding effective management of neuropsychiatric disorder

Contribution of teacher preparedness in the provision of student safety in emergency incidents in public secondary schools in kisumu county, kenya

Parents expect a safe learning environment for their children while in teachers’ custody, yet threats to student safety are increasing globally, and Kenya is no exception. In Kisumu County, media and official reports on incidents from floods, criminal activity, community conflicts, fires and strikes continue to be noted. Due to legal responsibility, preparation and their position as first responders in school emergency, teachers have a crucial role in ensuring student safety, yet little has been done to explore teacher preparedness. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine contribution of teacher preparedness in the provision of student safety in emergency incidents in public secondary schools in Kisumu County. Objectives of the study were to; examine contribution of teacher knowledge; establish the contribution of teacher attitude; determine contribution of teacher practices; and establish the contribution of teacher demographic factors on teacher preparedness in the provision of student safety in emergency incidents in public secondary schools in Kisumu County. The study adopted survey research design. The study population was 42 principals, 324 teachers, and 6 Sub County Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (SCQASOs). Purposive sampling was used to select principals, while SCQASOs teachers were selected by saturated sampling. Study sample consisted of 37 principals, 299 teachers and 4 SCQASOs. Questionnaire for teachers and principals, and interview schedule for SCQASOs, were used to collect data. Piloting was done to establish reliability of instruments; where 5 principals, 25 teachers and 2 SCQASOs were included in piloting. Test-retest was used to determine reliability of the questionnaires. Reliability coefficient of 0.86 and 0.81 were attained for teachers’ and principals’ questionnaires, respectively. Validity was determined by experts in Educational Administration and Policy studies. Quantitative data was analyzed using mean, t-test, correlation and multiple regression while qualitative data was coded, transcribed and organized thematically. Ethics was observed during both data collection and reporting of findings. It was established that; teacher knowledge and practices moderately contributed to student safety with overall mean ratings of 3.21 and 2.93 respectively, while teacher attitude highly contributed with overall mean rating of 3.54. Teacher demographic factors moderately contributed to teacher preparedness with overall mean rating of 3.35, and all aspects considered. In all, teacher demographic factors moderately influenced teacher preparedness, and had a positive and significant relationship (r=0.438, p<.05). Findings of this study are important to educational administrators, policy makers and planners in understanding how teacher preparedness contributes to, and how demographic factors contribute to teacher preparedness as well as contribute to the body of knowledge on teacher preparedness in the provision of student safety in emergency in schools, and to researchers interested in pursuing student safety in future

A COMBINED EXPERIMENTAL AND COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH TO STUDY THE BIOLOGIC EFFECT OF HEMODYNAMICS IN END-TO-SIDE VASCULAR BYPASS GRAFTS

A diseased artery often becomes blocked, compromising blood flow to downstream tissues and organs. One common surgical intervention is to bypass this blocked region with a vascular graft. However, these grafts can fail due to an overhealing response, known as intimal hyperplasia (IH), which occurs at the graft/artery junction (i.e., anastomosis). The goal of this research was to determine if a quantitative correlation exists between the hemodynamic phenomena at the distal anastomosis of a vascular bypass graft and carefully selected, acute biological precursors of intimal hyperplasia.To accomplish this task, we perfused porcine, artery-artery, end-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses ex vivo and developed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models incorporating the reconstructed geometry and perfusion conditions present in each experimental anastomosis. The perfusion experiments allowed us to assess the levels of immediate early gene (IEG) proteins and vascular cell apoptosis at various regions along the anastomoses. Since the pressure and flow rate in the ex vivo perfusion model were precisely known, the CFD models utilized this information along with the 3D reconstructed anastomotic geometries to accurately estimate wall shear stress (WSS) and WSS gradient (WSSG) in the same regions of interest. This process allowed for a distinct and unique coupling between the perfusion experiments and the computational simulations that has not been achieved previously. Through linear and nonlinear regression analyses on this directly-coupled data, we found that low levels of WSS and WSSG cause upregulation of IEG proteins. Because increased levels of IEG expression leads to IH formation, our results suggest that low levels of WSS and WSSG correlate with increased IH formation. Our coupled experimental and computational approach has allowed us to evaluate IEG protein expression by vascular cells in response to the hemodynamics present in vascular anastomoses. Based on the correlations we found between low levels of WSS and WSSG and the subsequent increase in IEG protein expression, treatments such as graft geometry optimization or targeted gene therapy may improve the clinical success rate of vascular bypass grafts. However, some issues need to be addressed before the results of this study can be applied clinically