1150 research outputs found
Sort by
Antimalarialpyronaridine resistance may be associated with elevated MDR-1 gene expression profiles but not point mutation in Plasmodium bergheiANKA isolates
No full textTheselectionofresistance is inevitable whenever chemotherapy isnecessaryforpathogencontrol. Notably, Plasmodiumfalciparum has developed multifacetedmeans to overcomethetoxicityof nearly allantimalarial medicines. To bypass this challenge,not only should novel drugs be developed, but the resistance mechanisms tonewandexisting drugs need should be fullyexplored.Pyronaridine is a companion drug inPyramax®, a blend of artesunate (ASN)-pyronaridine (PRD) whichistheWHOprequalifiedalternative for malariatreatment in the Africansetting. However, half-life mismatch predisposes thePRDto swiftemergence of resistanceespeciallyin high malaria transmission settings. However, there are no well-characterized PRD-resistant parasite lines. Previously, stable PRD-resistant P. bergheiANKA lines were selected by in vivo drug pressure and preliminary results showed cross-resistance with quinolines, therefore, hypothetically theactivityof PRDand chloroquine or other quinolinesmay be comparable, hence, the resistance mechanisms may be parallel. Consequently, genetic polymorphisms and expressionprofiles of PbMDR-1 that could be associated with pyronaridine resistance wereexamined by PCR amplification, sequencingand transcript quantification byRT-qPCR.The transcripts level increased during resistanceselectionwhiletranslated PbMDR-1sequence alignment of PRD-sensitive and PRD-resistant was the same, theexpressionmay be linked toPRD resistance but not mutation
Trend and Variability in Interannual Air Temperature Over South West Mau Forest, 1985 - 2015
No full textDOI: 10.7176/JNSR/11-16-04Globally high altitude forest regions are considered to be more prone to rapid warming. These regions have also shown great seasonal and inter annual temperatures variability. In Kenya mean annual temperatures increased by 1.00C since 1960. Going by global trends it is plausible to argue that high altitude forest areas in Kenya might have shown great seasonal and inter annual temperatures variability over time. This study assessed interannual trend and variability as well as change point detection in average annual air temperature in South West Mau Forest, Kenya between 1985 and 2015. South West Mau Forest is an indigenous montane ecosystem with a tropical montane climate. Annual average air temperature over the South West Mau forest pointed towards climate warming of 0.01880C per year (Kendall’s tau = 0.3677, p value = 0.0033) but with low interannual variability (CV= 0.11%). A shift in the annual average air temperature of 0.3680C at p= 0.0051 was detected between 19851998 and 1999- 2015. There was a weak positive anomaly in the annual average air temperature with a slope of 0.0192 and R2 = 0.3074. Overall the region experienced climate warmin
Moderating effect of social media on relationship between entrepreneurial networking and performance of youth owned agro processing SMEs in Kenya
Get PDFAbstractThis paper was anchored on a pragmatic research paradigm. The study used a cross-sectional survey
where a self-semi structured questionnaire was administered to collect the primary data from the target
population who were youth-owned SMEs. The study was limited to 135 youth-owned enterprises where
357 employees were selected randomly to form the study sample; the key respondents of the study were
limited to owner-managers of small and micro enterprises and top management employees. The
questionnaires were tested for reliability and validity. Data were analyzed using descriptive and
inferential statistics. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between youth-owned.
The study revealed that entrepreneurship networking has a significant effect on the performance of the
agro-processing SMEs owned by the youths. However, there is a need for SMEs to further establish
networks outside their business circle and seek networks with other bigger firms in the market. The
study, therefore, recommends that there is a need for SMEs to invest more in social media marketing
and networking of the SMEs for improved performance
Intellectual Property Rights in Digital Libraries: Status, Interventions, Challenges, and Opportunities for Academic Libraries in Kenya
Get PDFThe management of intellectual property rights in digital contexts is increasingly becoming complex. In spite of its benefits, digitisationincreases the vulnerability of digital works, thereby exposing them to violation. This paper discusses the intellectual property rights regime in Kenya; examines intellectual property rights issues academic librarians encounter in the digital information universe; examines how librarians currently safeguard intellectual property rights; and analyses the challenges that hamper the librarians’ efforts to manage intellectual property rights effectively in digital contexts. Data for this paper was collected using the Delphi approach in which a group of 18 purposively-selected academic librarians participated by responding to an online questionnaire. The authors, acting as facilitators, analysed the responses and identified areas for further discussion or clarification, leading to another round of responses. Three rounds were held before consensus was reached. Additional data was obtained through documentary analysis. The findings of the study indicate that there are both local and international legal frameworks for handling intellectual property rights in Kenya. In spite of these, intellectual property violations in the form of plagiarism, piracy, freebooting, and parody are experienced in digital academic library contexts in Kenya. Librarians are making efforts to safeguard intellectual property rights through plagiarism testing; sensitisation of library users on intellectual property rights through comprehensive information literacy programmes; enforcement of citation and referencing styles; and tracking the use of protected information materials. However, these efforts are hampered by versatile technologies making intellectual property infringement easy, lack of landmark convictions in Kenya, inadequate intellectual property rights policies, presence of orphaned works, limitations of anti-plagiarism checkers, as well as lack of coordination and standardisation in violation of intellectual property rights. This is an original study which may contribute to the on-going discourse on how best to manage intellectual property rights while enhancing the access of digital content in libraries
Influence of Intellectual Inspiration and Performance of the National Police Service in Nyeri County, Kenya
Get PDFThe study determinedthe Influence of intellectual inspiration and performance of the National police servicein Nyeri County, Kenya.The specific objectives of the study were to establish the intellectual inspiration and on organizational performance. Descriptive research approach was adopted. The population of the study was 30 National police service stations selected from six constituencies in Nyeri County which included: Kieni, Mathira, Mukurweini, Nyeri Town, Othaya and Tetu Constituencies. The respondents of the study comprised of police officers from top, middle and lower level ranks. Structured questionnaires were used tocollect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical. Data was presented using Table and figures. The study established a positive and significant influence on intellectual inspiration on organizational performance. The study concluded that the organizational leadersattendto each employee needs and act as a mentor, coach or guide them. They listen to the concerns and needs of each employee and provide support and are empathic of each employee’s situation and background. The leadership articulates an appealing vision that inspires and motivates others to perform beyond expectations. They have high standards and expectation for their employees. The leadership recognizes employees through stimulation, creativity and innovation. They support and collaborate with the employees as they try new approaches and develop innovative ways of dealing with organizational issues and leadership become role models for their employees by engaging in high standards of ethical behavior whereby the employees identify with their leaders and desire to emulate them. The study recommended that the leadership of the organization should show willingness and ability to provide nurturing support for each employee as it leads to higher levels of engagement and motivation within the organization. The leadership should set goals so as to give employees meaning in their day-to-day roles through establishing what is expected of them. Provide meaningful feedback to theemployees so as to help them grow and develop. The leadership should make learning a requirement whereby both the leadership and junior staff need to know that learning is their responsibility, both as individuals and as teams and that the leadership should analyze the current work environment and the existing organization values, mission, goals and ethical policies. It should solicit the input of each employee about any ethical issues he or she feels,faces or that others may face
Local Perceptions of Droughts and Conflicts in Laikipia West Sub-County, Kenya
Get PDFDOI: https://doi.org/10.18533/jah.v9i11.2012Laikipia West Sub County in Kenya experiences frequent droughts and conflicts. This study sought to analyse
local communities’ perceptions of the relationship between drought and conflicts in Laikipia West Sub County, Kenya. The study examined trends in droughts and conflicts in Laikipia West Sub County between 2007 and 2018 and analysed local views on the relationships between droughts and conflicts. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with key informants involving 174 participants. The study also relied on secondary data from the County Government of Laikipia and other government agencies. This study has found that severe droughts in the study area occur in the months of
January to March and this also the period when most conflicts happen. An analysis of narratives from participants in the study showed that local perceptions of droughts and conflicts are mostly influenced by ethnicity and livelihood conditions. Residents of Laikipia West Sub County identified at least ten drought adaptations strategies which can be implemented in their localities. This study has revealed opportunities for collaboration between local communities and governments to address droughts and conflicts in Laikipia West Sub County. The findings of this study will be useful in formulating long term strategies to mitigate
droughts and conflicts in the study area
The Effects of Destination Marketing on Tourism Performance in West Pokot County
Get PDFTourism is an ever
-
growing service industry with great development potential. It has become
one of the mo
st important drivers of socio
-
economic development worldwide and has attracted
interest for research. Many nations rely on tourism industry as a key source for foreign
exchange, private sector growth, infrastructure development, and poverty alleviation in
terms
of employment opportunities and improvement of the welfare of the people in tourist
destinations. According to United Nation World Tourism Organization, development agencies
and policymakers are increasingly advocating tourism as an effective way to
reduce poverty in
least
-
developed countries. However, lack of proper marketing strategies is a challenge in many
county governments, posing further challenge in tourism performance. The general objective
of the study was to assess the effect of destination
marketing on tourism performance in West
Pokot County. Specifically, the study sought to establish the influence of awareness creation,
developing new markets, advertising and branding on tourism performance in west Pokot
County. To achieve these objectiv
es, descriptive research design was used. Target population
consisted of employees of hotels, officials of tour firms and officers in the ministry of tourism
in the County Government of West Pokot. Purposive sampling technique was used and a total
of 41 re
spondents selected. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed
using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that 41.8 % of the changes in
tourism performance in West Pokot County was attributed to destination mar
keting. The P
-
value was 0.000 indicating that destination marketing had a significant influence
on tourism
performance of west Pokot County. The study recommends that destination marketing should
be promoted by all the stakeholders involved and the fund
s allocated to destination marketing
should be increased. This will promote the performance of tourism since destination marketing
increases awareness among domestic and foreign tourist
Influence of Organization Learning on Innovation Output in Manufacturing Firms in Kenya
Get PDFKnowledge entrepreneurship is increasingly becoming important in driving innovation forhigh levels of competitiveness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation-ship between Organization Learning (OL) and Innovation Output (IO) for improved per-formance in manufacturingfirms in Kenya. The theoretical underpinnings on this study arethe Schumpeter’s (1934) innovation theory of and the Gleick (1987) complexity theory. Themethodology used was mixed method research because it provides a more holistic un-derstanding of a thematic area. The research design that was used is cross-sectional designbecause it allows for making observations on different characteristics that exist within agroup at a particular time. The target population was manufacturingfirms across thecountry. Multi-stage sampling strategy was used to sample 303 respondents from 101firms. Primary and secondary data were used to collect both qualitative and quantitativedata. The questionnaire, interview schedule and a checklist of key informants were used tocollect data. Content validity was used to ascertain the credibility of the research pro-cedure and internal consistency technique was used to test for reliability. Correlation andlinear regression were used to determine the relationship between OL and IO. Work dis-ruptions were avoided by making prior arrangements and appointments. Thefindingsindicate that OL has a significant influence on IO. It is recommended that lifelong learning,management support and risk tolerance should be encouraged to improve creativity. Highcreativity is important in raising the capacity to integrate internal and external knowledgefor greater levels of IO. Further research should be carried out tofind how customers andsuppliers information can be utilized to enriched OL
INSTITUTIONAL COMPETENCY MAPPING, FIRMS’ CULTURE AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE AMONG INSURANCE COMPANIES IN KENYA
Get PDFFULLTEXT THESISKenyan insurance companies do constantly face many challenges such as mispricing of insurance policies, lack of the required human resource capacities, and changes in interest rates among others. This study sought to determine the influence of institutional competency mapping on the performance of insurance companies in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the influence of relationship management, emotional intelligence and innovativeness on the performance of insurance companies in Kenya. In addition, the study sought to determine the moderating influence of firm’s culture on the relationship between institutional competency mapping and performance of insurance companies in Kenya. The study was anchored on competency theory, resource-based view theory, theory of comparative advantage, the balanced score card model and institutional theory. The research philosophy adopted was positivism. Descriptive and correlational research designs were adopted with the study population comprising all the 453 management staff in the 55 registered insurance companies in Kenya as at 28th February 2017. A sample size of 208 participants was drawn from the lower, middle, and the top level management using stratified sampling technique. Primary data was collected via semi-structured questionnaires while secondary data on organisation performance was collected using data collection sheet. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics where the mean and standard deviation were determined. Multiple regression analysis and correlation analysis were used to aid in inferential analysis of the data. Results shows that most Kenyan based insurance firms undertake to map relationship management, emotional intelligence, and innovativeness among their employees during the selection process to a moderate extent. Correlation results shows that there was a significant positive correlation between organisation performance and relationship management (r=0.282; P=0.000), emotional intelligence (r=0.094; P=0.000), innovativeness (r=0.096; P=0.000) and firm’s culture (r=0.840; P=0.000). The regression model results indicated that institutional competency mapping predicted 72.8 percent of the variations in performance of insurance companies in Kenya. Relationship management, emotional intelligence, and innovativeness significantly influenced firm performance. Firm’s culture significantly moderated the relationship between institutional competency mapping and organization performance. The conclusion made was that relationship management, emotional intelligence and innovativeness influenced performance of insurance companies in Kenya while firm’s culture significantly moderated the relationship between institutional competency mapping and organizational performance. The study recommends that management of insurance companies should cultivate, create, and maintain good rapport with stakeholders, develop programs designed to offer training and enhancement of self-awareness and promote high levels of adaptability to remain productive in the changing environment. The results of the study will be beneficial to the managers of insurance firms, their employees and the government as it shows the significance of competency mapping in stimulating performance of insurance companies in Kenya
Influences of Human Activities on Tree Density and Diameter Distribution in Museve and Mutuluni Dryland Forest Fragments; Kitui County, Kenya
Get PDFForest fragments in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands are key water catchment areas and provide important ecosystem services. However, uncontrolled human activities are fast altering their stem density basal area and diameter structure resulting into forest degradation. Besides, information regarding tree density and diameter size-class distribution of dryland forest fragments such as Museve and Mutuluni is lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study was to document key human activities in Museve and Mutuluni forest fragments in Kitui, Kenya and comparatively investigate their influences on stem density, basal area and stem diameter size-class distribution. Two belt transect of 20 m wide and 500 m long, with contiguous sample plots of 20 m by 20 m and subplots of 10 m by 10 m were established in each forest. Evidence of human activities, abundances and diameter measurements for mature trees were assessed in the 20 m by 20 m plots while abundances and diameter measurements for saplings were in the subplots. Mann-Whitney, t-test and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Mutuluni forest exhibited significantly (p<0.05) high stem density compared to Museve however, basal area density was not different (p<0.05). Introduction of exotic species enhanced basal area and stem density (p<0.05) in Museve forest. Tree cutting reduced both basal area and stem density in Museve forest and only stem density in Mutuluni. Stem-density diameter distribution in both forests followed a reverse J-curve but with more fluctuations and irregularities observed in Museve compared to Mutuluni forest. Diameter size-class distribution did not differ (p<0.05) across the two forests. Therefore human activities significantly impacted on tree density in both forest fragments with high impacts in Museve. This study recommends formulation of appropriate protection and conservation strategies, especially for Museve, to control tree cutting and increase tree density