With about 1,000 military bases on foreign soils, the U.S. accounts for over 95 percent of all fo... more With about 1,000 military bases on foreign soils, the U.S. accounts for over 95 percent of all foreign-based military bases worldwide. These bases, in return, cost the U.S. taxpayer at least 100 billion dollars annually to maintain and sustain. These include forward landing bases and small strategic islands from which indigenous communities have been forcefully removed or live under continuing oppression. In Africa and former colonized lands, most of these bases were acquired or leased at the peak of the anti-colonial independence wave. The almost constant consequence of these bases has been the displacement of the indigenous peoples, loss of livelihoods, environmental degradation, and massive human rights violations.
While the characteristics of those who seek psychosocial support following an HIV diagnosis have ... more While the characteristics of those who seek psychosocial support following an HIV diagnosis have been well documented in western countries where linkages between HIV-related treatment and psychosocial support programs are well established, little is known about those who become engaged with such services in countries of the world where comprehensive HIV-related care and prevention systems are continuing to develop. Data were collected from 397 individuals who had enrolled in HIV-related psychosocial support groups in western Kenya in November 2005. Demographic and HIV-related characteristics, as well as assessments of psychological distress, were collected from each participant and analyzed by gender in order to document the characteristics of those seeking psychosocial care in conjunction with their participation in an HIV-related treatment and prevention program. Those seeking psychosocial support were primarily female (72%), living with HIV for an average of 2.5 years, and unemployed (70%). Women were younger and more likely to be either widowed or never married; while men were more likely to have advanced HIV disease, including lower CD4 counts and an AIDS diagnosis. Across all participants, HIV serostatus disclosure was rarely reported to sex partners, family members, and friends. Symptoms of psychological distress were more prevalent among women on multiple measures, including depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation, interpersonal sensitivity, and somatization. An increased understanding of the characteristics of those likely to seek psychosocial support groups will help HIV program managers to develop protocols necessary for facilitating linkages to psychosocial support for those enrolled in HIV-related treatment programs. Patient engagement in psychosocial support may facilitate improvements in psychological function and support an individual's maintenance of HIV treatment and prevention behaviors.
Ultra-violet irradiated larvae of Schistosoma mansoni stimulate high levels of resistance to chal... more Ultra-violet irradiated larvae of Schistosoma mansoni stimulate high levels of resistance to challenge infection in experimental animals. In the experiments presented here, the binding patterns of antisera specific for the cercarial glycocalyx, and of various lectins, demonstrate that u.v. irradiation causes a pronounced modification of the carbohydrate antigens expressed at the surface of cercariae and newly transformed schistosomula. These alterations were dependent on the irradiation dose, and on the batch of cercariae used in each experiment. Our results strongly suggest that the changes in carbohydrate antigens consequent upon u.v. irradiation may be important in generating the enhanced immunogenicity of irradiated cercariae.
Plasmodium falciparum malaria is one of the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality with... more Plasmodium falciparum malaria is one of the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality with African children bearing the highest disease burden. Among the various severe disease sequelae common to falciparum malaria, severe malarial anemia (SMA) in pediatric populations accounts for the greatest degree of mortality. Although the patho-physiological basis of SMA remains unclear, dysregulation in inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-10, appear to play an important role in determining disease outcomes. Since polymorphic variability in innate immune response genes conditions susceptibility to malaria, the relationship between common IL-10 promoter variants (−1,082A/G, −819T/C, and −592A/C), SMA (Hb < 6.0 g/dL), and circulating inflammatory mediator levels (i.e., IL-10, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12) were investigated in parasitemic Kenyan children (n = 375) in a holoendemic P. falciparum transmission area. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the −1,082G/−819C/−592C (GCC) haplotype was associated with protection against SMA (OR; 0.68, 95% CI, 0.43–1.05; P = 0.044) and increased IL-10 production (P = 0.029). Although none of the other haplotypes were significantly associated with susceptibility to SMA, individuals with the −1,082A/−819T/−592A (ATA) haplotype had an increased risk of SMA and reduced circulating IL-10 levels (P = 0.042). Additional results revealed that the IL-10:TNF-α ratio was higher in the GCC group (P = 0.024) and lower in individuals with the ATA haplotype (P = 0.034), while the IL-10:IL-12 ratio was higher in ATA haplotype (P = 0.006). Results presented here demonstrate that common IL-10 promoter haplotypes condition susceptibility to SMA and functional changes in circulating IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-12 levels in children with falciparum malaria.
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 2007
The aim of this study was to document what water types were most stimulatory to oviposition by th... more The aim of this study was to document what water types were most stimulatory to oviposition by the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae Giles s.s. In laboratory choice tests, dishes of black cotton and red laterite soils from around Kisumu, Kenya, equally stimulated An. gambiae oviposition when saturated with water. When infused into either soil type, water from Lake Victoria was significantly more stimulatory than any other type of water or infusion tested. Water from natural An. gambiae puddle habitats, borehole water, cow dung infusion, Bermuda grass infusion and distilled water followed in declining rank order. Relative to An. gambiae puddle-habitat water and distilled water, Lake Victoria water appears to provide the strongest chemical cues for An. gambiae oviposition recorded to date. This work suggests that this important vector of human malaria may oviposit in and around Lake Victoria, as well as in its usual puddle habitats. Lake Victoria should be explored for its possible contribution to malaria mosquito populations.
Traditionally the position of women in Tanzania has been low compared to men. Women are poorer, h... more Traditionally the position of women in Tanzania has been low compared to men. Women are poorer, have low education and suffer from traditions and customary laws. Thus, empowerment of women is one of the main issues in Tanzania and beyond. Microfinance services are considered as an entry point or a vehicle toward empowering women. However, it is also considered that Microfinance Institutions are extorting money from poor women through high interest rates, causing higher social pressure and in some cases lead to domestic violence. Using the quantitative and qualitative data from three regions of Tanzania, this study shows that women members of microfinance institutions (MFIs) are more empowered compared to non-members in non-program areas. In total 454 women (305 members of MFIs and 149 non-members) participated in the survey and 10 women in the in-depth interviews. The data obtained are analysed using Mann-Whitney U test. The results show a significant difference between the women members of MFIs and non-members in the dependant variables related to women empowerment. Women members of MFIs have more control over savings and income generated from the business, greater role in decision-making, greater self-efficacy and self-esteem, and greater freedom of mobility and increased activities outside home.
Why We Should Strictly Rely On Solar Power Energy, 2022
Topic: This speech focuses on the benefits of solar energy to households, communities, and nation... more Topic: This speech focuses on the benefits of solar energy to households, communities, and nations. Audience Analysis: The audience of this speech is my classmates. Solar energy is a core part of renewable energy sources, and renewable energy is one of the big trending ideas towards building a sustainable planet. Exploring renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, will help expand my classmates' consciousness since renewable energy will be a vital part of the future world. Besides, understanding the facts concerning solar energy will also equip them with concepts and skills that will enhance their understanding of ideas like global warming, green energy, and environmental sustainability. General Purpose: This speech aims to persuade my classmates to consider solar energy use. Specific Purpose: To persuade my classmates that the benefits of solar power outweigh its downsides; thus, it should be used as the primary source of energy. Proposition Statement & Type of Proposition The proposition statement for this speech is that everyone should strictly rely on solar power energy. This statement is a policy proposition since it advocates for a particular course of action. In this case, I will be asking my classmates to commit themselves to strictly using solar power.
Topic: This speech focuses on the benefits of solar energy to households, communities, and nation... more Topic: This speech focuses on the benefits of solar energy to households, communities, and nations. Audience Analysis: The audience of this speech is my classmates. Solar energy is a core part of renewable energy sources, and renewable energy is one of the big trending ideas towards building a sustainable planet. Exploring renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, will help expand my classmates' consciousness since renewable energy will be a vital part of the future world. Besides, understanding the facts concerning solar energy will also equip them with concepts and skills that will enhance their understanding of ideas like global warming, green energy, and environmental sustainability. General Purpose: This speech aims to persuade my classmates to consider solar energy use. Specific Purpose: To persuade my classmates that the benefits of solar power outweigh its downsides; thus, it should be used as the primary source of energy. Proposition Statement & Type of Proposition The proposition statement for this speech is that everyone should strictly rely on solar power energy. This statement is a policy proposition since it advocates for a particular course of action. In this case, I will be asking my classmates to commit themselves to strictly using solar power.
Stroke, otherwise known as cerebrovascular accident, refers to a group of health conditions that ... more Stroke, otherwise known as cerebrovascular accident, refers to a group of health conditions that occur as neurologic deficits caused by an abrupt interruption of cerebral blood flow. Put differently, a stroke results from a sudden decrease in the blood flow to the brain. An acute stroke is a term used in describing the initial twenty-four hours following a stroke event. Ischemic strokes, which results from embolisms or thrombosis, constitutes the vast majority of stroke cases (87 percent) while the remaining thirteen percent are hemorrhagic (resulting from aneurysm or the rupture of a blood vessel) (Yew & Cheng, 2009, p. 33). An ischemic stroke is usually characterized by a reduction or obstruction of blood supply to the brain due to blocked blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis or a blood clot. Up to twelve percent of ischemic strokes often cause death within thirty days and is among the largest health burdens in developed countries.
With about 1,000 military bases on foreign soils, the U.S. accounts for over 95 percent of all fo... more With about 1,000 military bases on foreign soils, the U.S. accounts for over 95 percent of all foreign-based military bases worldwide. These bases, in return, cost the U.S. taxpayer at least 100 billion dollars annually to maintain and sustain. These include forward landing bases and small strategic islands from which indigenous communities have been forcefully removed or live under continuing oppression. In Africa and former colonized lands, most of these bases were acquired or leased at the peak of the anti-colonial independence wave. The almost constant consequence of these bases has been the displacement of the indigenous peoples, loss of livelihoods, environmental degradation, and massive human rights violations.
While the characteristics of those who seek psychosocial support following an HIV diagnosis have ... more While the characteristics of those who seek psychosocial support following an HIV diagnosis have been well documented in western countries where linkages between HIV-related treatment and psychosocial support programs are well established, little is known about those who become engaged with such services in countries of the world where comprehensive HIV-related care and prevention systems are continuing to develop. Data were collected from 397 individuals who had enrolled in HIV-related psychosocial support groups in western Kenya in November 2005. Demographic and HIV-related characteristics, as well as assessments of psychological distress, were collected from each participant and analyzed by gender in order to document the characteristics of those seeking psychosocial care in conjunction with their participation in an HIV-related treatment and prevention program. Those seeking psychosocial support were primarily female (72%), living with HIV for an average of 2.5 years, and unemployed (70%). Women were younger and more likely to be either widowed or never married; while men were more likely to have advanced HIV disease, including lower CD4 counts and an AIDS diagnosis. Across all participants, HIV serostatus disclosure was rarely reported to sex partners, family members, and friends. Symptoms of psychological distress were more prevalent among women on multiple measures, including depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation, interpersonal sensitivity, and somatization. An increased understanding of the characteristics of those likely to seek psychosocial support groups will help HIV program managers to develop protocols necessary for facilitating linkages to psychosocial support for those enrolled in HIV-related treatment programs. Patient engagement in psychosocial support may facilitate improvements in psychological function and support an individual's maintenance of HIV treatment and prevention behaviors.
Ultra-violet irradiated larvae of Schistosoma mansoni stimulate high levels of resistance to chal... more Ultra-violet irradiated larvae of Schistosoma mansoni stimulate high levels of resistance to challenge infection in experimental animals. In the experiments presented here, the binding patterns of antisera specific for the cercarial glycocalyx, and of various lectins, demonstrate that u.v. irradiation causes a pronounced modification of the carbohydrate antigens expressed at the surface of cercariae and newly transformed schistosomula. These alterations were dependent on the irradiation dose, and on the batch of cercariae used in each experiment. Our results strongly suggest that the changes in carbohydrate antigens consequent upon u.v. irradiation may be important in generating the enhanced immunogenicity of irradiated cercariae.
Plasmodium falciparum malaria is one of the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality with... more Plasmodium falciparum malaria is one of the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality with African children bearing the highest disease burden. Among the various severe disease sequelae common to falciparum malaria, severe malarial anemia (SMA) in pediatric populations accounts for the greatest degree of mortality. Although the patho-physiological basis of SMA remains unclear, dysregulation in inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-10, appear to play an important role in determining disease outcomes. Since polymorphic variability in innate immune response genes conditions susceptibility to malaria, the relationship between common IL-10 promoter variants (−1,082A/G, −819T/C, and −592A/C), SMA (Hb < 6.0 g/dL), and circulating inflammatory mediator levels (i.e., IL-10, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-12) were investigated in parasitemic Kenyan children (n = 375) in a holoendemic P. falciparum transmission area. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the −1,082G/−819C/−592C (GCC) haplotype was associated with protection against SMA (OR; 0.68, 95% CI, 0.43–1.05; P = 0.044) and increased IL-10 production (P = 0.029). Although none of the other haplotypes were significantly associated with susceptibility to SMA, individuals with the −1,082A/−819T/−592A (ATA) haplotype had an increased risk of SMA and reduced circulating IL-10 levels (P = 0.042). Additional results revealed that the IL-10:TNF-α ratio was higher in the GCC group (P = 0.024) and lower in individuals with the ATA haplotype (P = 0.034), while the IL-10:IL-12 ratio was higher in ATA haplotype (P = 0.006). Results presented here demonstrate that common IL-10 promoter haplotypes condition susceptibility to SMA and functional changes in circulating IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-12 levels in children with falciparum malaria.
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 2007
The aim of this study was to document what water types were most stimulatory to oviposition by th... more The aim of this study was to document what water types were most stimulatory to oviposition by the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae Giles s.s. In laboratory choice tests, dishes of black cotton and red laterite soils from around Kisumu, Kenya, equally stimulated An. gambiae oviposition when saturated with water. When infused into either soil type, water from Lake Victoria was significantly more stimulatory than any other type of water or infusion tested. Water from natural An. gambiae puddle habitats, borehole water, cow dung infusion, Bermuda grass infusion and distilled water followed in declining rank order. Relative to An. gambiae puddle-habitat water and distilled water, Lake Victoria water appears to provide the strongest chemical cues for An. gambiae oviposition recorded to date. This work suggests that this important vector of human malaria may oviposit in and around Lake Victoria, as well as in its usual puddle habitats. Lake Victoria should be explored for its possible contribution to malaria mosquito populations.
Traditionally the position of women in Tanzania has been low compared to men. Women are poorer, h... more Traditionally the position of women in Tanzania has been low compared to men. Women are poorer, have low education and suffer from traditions and customary laws. Thus, empowerment of women is one of the main issues in Tanzania and beyond. Microfinance services are considered as an entry point or a vehicle toward empowering women. However, it is also considered that Microfinance Institutions are extorting money from poor women through high interest rates, causing higher social pressure and in some cases lead to domestic violence. Using the quantitative and qualitative data from three regions of Tanzania, this study shows that women members of microfinance institutions (MFIs) are more empowered compared to non-members in non-program areas. In total 454 women (305 members of MFIs and 149 non-members) participated in the survey and 10 women in the in-depth interviews. The data obtained are analysed using Mann-Whitney U test. The results show a significant difference between the women members of MFIs and non-members in the dependant variables related to women empowerment. Women members of MFIs have more control over savings and income generated from the business, greater role in decision-making, greater self-efficacy and self-esteem, and greater freedom of mobility and increased activities outside home.
Why We Should Strictly Rely On Solar Power Energy, 2022
Topic: This speech focuses on the benefits of solar energy to households, communities, and nation... more Topic: This speech focuses on the benefits of solar energy to households, communities, and nations. Audience Analysis: The audience of this speech is my classmates. Solar energy is a core part of renewable energy sources, and renewable energy is one of the big trending ideas towards building a sustainable planet. Exploring renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, will help expand my classmates' consciousness since renewable energy will be a vital part of the future world. Besides, understanding the facts concerning solar energy will also equip them with concepts and skills that will enhance their understanding of ideas like global warming, green energy, and environmental sustainability. General Purpose: This speech aims to persuade my classmates to consider solar energy use. Specific Purpose: To persuade my classmates that the benefits of solar power outweigh its downsides; thus, it should be used as the primary source of energy. Proposition Statement & Type of Proposition The proposition statement for this speech is that everyone should strictly rely on solar power energy. This statement is a policy proposition since it advocates for a particular course of action. In this case, I will be asking my classmates to commit themselves to strictly using solar power.
Topic: This speech focuses on the benefits of solar energy to households, communities, and nation... more Topic: This speech focuses on the benefits of solar energy to households, communities, and nations. Audience Analysis: The audience of this speech is my classmates. Solar energy is a core part of renewable energy sources, and renewable energy is one of the big trending ideas towards building a sustainable planet. Exploring renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, will help expand my classmates' consciousness since renewable energy will be a vital part of the future world. Besides, understanding the facts concerning solar energy will also equip them with concepts and skills that will enhance their understanding of ideas like global warming, green energy, and environmental sustainability. General Purpose: This speech aims to persuade my classmates to consider solar energy use. Specific Purpose: To persuade my classmates that the benefits of solar power outweigh its downsides; thus, it should be used as the primary source of energy. Proposition Statement & Type of Proposition The proposition statement for this speech is that everyone should strictly rely on solar power energy. This statement is a policy proposition since it advocates for a particular course of action. In this case, I will be asking my classmates to commit themselves to strictly using solar power.
Stroke, otherwise known as cerebrovascular accident, refers to a group of health conditions that ... more Stroke, otherwise known as cerebrovascular accident, refers to a group of health conditions that occur as neurologic deficits caused by an abrupt interruption of cerebral blood flow. Put differently, a stroke results from a sudden decrease in the blood flow to the brain. An acute stroke is a term used in describing the initial twenty-four hours following a stroke event. Ischemic strokes, which results from embolisms or thrombosis, constitutes the vast majority of stroke cases (87 percent) while the remaining thirteen percent are hemorrhagic (resulting from aneurysm or the rupture of a blood vessel) (Yew & Cheng, 2009, p. 33). An ischemic stroke is usually characterized by a reduction or obstruction of blood supply to the brain due to blocked blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis or a blood clot. Up to twelve percent of ischemic strokes often cause death within thirty days and is among the largest health burdens in developed countries.
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