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Effectiveness of Bio-control Agents in the Management of Early Blight of Tomatoes
No full textTomato, a major vegetable widely used in Kenya faces a number of production challenges along
with diseases like late blight, early blight and bacterial wilt. In this study, bio-control agents
(BCAs) which are deemed to be environmentally friendly were used for the management of early
blight, a major disease of tomato. BCAs including two Trichoderma isolates coded Tricho 7 and
Tricho 10, two Bacillus subtilis isolates coded CA51 and CB12 and Pseudomonas fluorescens
(from commercial Bio-cure) were tested for their effectiveness in managing Alternaria solani in
vitro. The experiments were carried out in Plant Pathology Laboratory at the Department of Plant
Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi. The dual culture technique was used. The
experimental design was a Completely Randomized Design in five replicates. Diameter of A.
solani colony was measured and used to calculate the percent growth inhibition. Means were
compared using Fisher’s protected least significant difference (LSD) test at 5%. Tricho 7 and
Tricho 10 were the most effective against the radial growth of A. solani with percent growth
inhibition of 80.9 and 82.2% for Tricho 7 and Tricho 10 respectively. These were followed by
CA51 and CB12 with percent growth inhibition of 56.6 and 54.1% respectively. Pseudomonas
fluorescens also hindered A. solani radial growth but with a lower percent growth inhibition of
47.6%. The same BCAs were evaluated for their effectiveness in managing tomato early blight
under greenhouse and field conditions. Water and Tower (Metalaxyl 8% and Mancozeb 64%)
were used as control and standard check respectively. Greenhouse evaluations were carried out
at Kabete Field Station. The experimental design was a Completely Randomized Design in four
replicates. Data were collected on disease and plant parameters. The percent disease index by the
90th day after transplanting was significantly lower in all treatments than in the control. Isolate
CB12 recorded the lowest percent disease index of 28.3% which was comparable to the standard
chemical at 30.5% and both were significantly different from the control at 61.6%. The highest
mean quantity of marketable fruits of 0.21 kg/plant was recorded with Tricho 7, followed by the
standard chemical with a comparable yield of 0.20 kg/plant. Control treatment recorded
significantly lower marketable fruit weight of 0.06 Kg/plant. Field evaluations were carried out
at Kabete Field Station and at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
(KALRO) Mwea. A Randomized Complete Block Design in triplicate was used. At both
experimental sites, on the 90th days after transplanting, the percent disease index was
significantly lower in all the treatments compared to the control. The lowest percent disease
index recorded for the BCAs was with Tricho 10 at 35.0% and was comparable to the standard
chemical at 30.3%. The two were significantly lower than the control at 68.8%. As for yield of
marketable fruits, Tricho 10 recorded significantly higher mean weight at 10.5 tons/hectare
compared to the control which recorded 3.8 tons/hectare. However, the standard chemical
recorded significantly higher yield at 11.7 tons/hectare compared to Tricho 10.
BCAs are effective in managing early blight in vitro and under greenhouse and field conditions
and minimize the effects of early blight on tomato production.
Key words: bio-control agents, management, tomato and tomato early blight
Placental Villous Changes Among Hypertensive and Normotensive Pregnant Women at Kenyatta National Hospital
No full textBackground
Hypertensive pregnancy disease is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Africa, complicates 2.73% of pregnancies in Kenya and is one of the major causes of maternal deaths in Kenyan public health facilities. Hypertensive disease in pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia, has been associated with placental villous histomorphological changes. Few studies have been done elsewhere to demonstrate these changes and have found different and conflicting findings. Additionally, there are still few requests for placental histopathological evaluation by clinicians in Kenyatta National Hospital and in other hospital settings probably due to a perceived low clinical utility. This study hypothesized that established associations between placental villous histopathology and clinical variables such as maternal blood pressure status and neonatal outcomes adds to the available evidence and help sensitize clinicians on the need for histological examination of placentae.
Study Objective
The main objective of this study was to determine placental villous changes among hypertensive and normotensive pregnant women who delivered at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Materials and Methods
This was a laboratory based retrospective cross-sectional analytical study design carried out at the University of Nairobi (UoN) Histopathology Laboratory. The study made use of archived placental tissue blocks obtained from hypertensive pregnant women and their normotensive counterparts who delivered at Kenyatta National Hospital between July and December 2015. All available specimens (n=138) were retrieved, processed and analyzed. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Proportions of villous histomorphological findings were compared between hypertensive and normotensive groups. A Chi square test of association was used to determine association between the villous histomorphological findings and
hypertensive pregnancy disease. Association between villous histomorphological findings and the different clinical groups of hypertension in pregnancy was determined using Fisher’s exact test. Villous histomorphological findings was associated with neonatal outcomes using Chi square test.
Results
Placentae from women with hypertensive pregnancy disease at Kenyatta National Hospital had significantly higher rates of accelerated villous maturity, distal villous hypoplasia, stromal fibrosis, decidual arteriopathy, villous infarction and an increased area (>25%) of intervillous fibrin deposition (p<0.01). The Pre-eclampsia-eclampsia clinical group had placentae characterized by lesions associated with placental ischemia supporting evidence that placental hypoperfusion could be characteristic of pre-eclampsia-eclampsia rather than gestational hypertension. Villous histomorphological findings associated with poor neonatal outcomes include accelerated maturation, villous hypoplasia, villous infarction, stromal fibrosis and decidual arteriopathy.
Recommendation
Sensitization of clinicians in Kenyatta National Hospital on the clinical utility and need for placental histopathological examination in the following clinical scenarios among others: intrapartum management of hypertensive pregnant women, postmortem evaluation of unexplained maternal mortality where hypertensive pregnancy disease needs to be ruled out and evaluation of poor neonatal outcomes for possible aetiology. Future studies should use multiple and variably selected representative sections of the placental disc with equal sampling from all the hypertensive disease groups to enable better comparisons.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Effect of Project Scope Management Practices on Performance of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Firms in Kenya
No full textProject scope management is part of the process groups set out in the practice of project management. This research looked at the effect of project scope management practices on project performance in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas firms in Kenya. The research objectives aimed at determining the effect of project scope management practices on the measurement of project performance as well as establishing the challenges faced by Liquid Petroleum Gas companies in Kenya in adopting scope management practices. The study focused on Contingency Theory, Project Performance Theory and the Resource-based View theories and adopted a descriptive research methodology. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from licensed (LPG) importers and wholesalers in Kenya. Census was carried out as the target population was sizeable and reachable. The data was analyzed, interpreted and findings displayed by tables and graphs. Further, correlation and regression were conducted to gain deeper insights. From the regression equation, project budgets, project quality and environmental factors had a significant positive effect on operational performance. The overall p-value was significant (0.03397, p<0.05), indicating that project scope management practices had a significant association with project performance. The overall coefficient of determination R2 was 0.1437 which means there was 14.37% positive variation in project performance index due to changes in project scope management practices and 85.67% is variation of the dependent variable due to other factors not in the model. The p-value of the correlation test between project budget and product & service quality is significant. The researcher thus concluded that the project budget and product & service quality are positively correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.4211 and p-value less than 0.01. Moreover, the p-values of the running cost and project flexibility are both significant with correlation coefficients of 0.3452 and 0.3160, respectively at p-value < 0.05, thus project quality was found to be positively correlated with both the running cost and project flexibility measures of performance. The most common challenges for adopting Project Scope Management Practices were prerequisite adoption pointers within the industry mainly by EPRA the governing body, Tariff restrictions and customer capability
Effects of Maternal Education on Immunization Adherence Among Under Five Children in Bungoma County
No full textThe countdown to 2030 aims at monitoring progress towards achieving healthy lives and promoting prosperity for all ages of the population. The countdown has mainly focused on measuring evidence-based interventions across continuum of care from antenatal to postnatal care. Globally, countries are aligning themselves towards achieving the global countdown; Kenya has not been left behind. The country has made immense progress in increasing coverage of basic vaccines. However, despite this, there is still reported a high number of unimmunized children among under-five children. Prediction of immunisation coverage rate indicates a downward trend for basic vaccines. In addition to that, existing regional disparities in coverage and inequities on immunization within the country have contributed immensely to recurring problem. In view of this challenge, the study sought to find out effects of maternal education on immunization adherence in Bungoma County. The study employed cross-sectional county-level data from MICS, 2014 for Bungoma County to analyze immunization adherence. The study employed probit regression model to estimate Polio and DTP immunization adherence among under-five children. Results indicated mother’s age at birth significantly impacted on immunization adherence for DTP and polio but in a negative way. Mother’s education, Mother’s age at first birth, birth order of the child and household wealth index are statistically significant to immunization adherence both DTP and Polio. In view of the findings, the study implicates the need to educate women on importance of immunization beyond the classroom knowledge. Finally, the findings suggest needing to design policies that promote utilization of public health intervention at community level which can be easily be understood and embraced by the community
Effect Of Corporate Governance On Firm Performance For Audit Firms In Nairobi City County
No full textThe research was conducted in order to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance of audit firm industries in Nairobi City County. The study aimed at establishing how the board size, frequency of holding meetings, board composition and board independence affect the audit firm’s financial performance in Nairobi City County. The study has utilized a cross-sectional survey research design of audit firms operating within Nairobi City County since this research design is used to establish the relationship between two or more variables. In this study, there was one dependent variable namely firm performance and four independent variables board size, frequency of holding meetings, board composition, and board independence. The population of interest was all the 394 audit firms operating within Nairobi County, but the study covered 15% of the target population of 59 firms, and this was selected as our sample using random sampling technique and data was analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. From the study, we note that the independent variables all are positively correlated with financial performance. The independent variables contributed up to 32% of audit firms’ performance, implying that other factors other than the ones analyzed contributed the remaining 68% of the financial performance of the audit firms. The current study found out that board size had a correlation coefficient of 0.455, frequency of board meetings was found to be 0.483, composition of the board members was found to be 0.519 and board independence was found to be 0.563, indicating a positive influence on the performance of audit firms. Board size, frequency of board meetings, board composition and independence of board members all were established to be the main determinant of the audit firm’s performance. The larger the board size members the better the performance since large board members will bring in expertise and variety of strategies to improve the performance of the firms. Therefore, the study recommends that audit firms should have a sizeable number of board members so as to help improve on its performance. The study further recommends that, firms should have a regular board meeting to enable internalizing the strategies aimed at improving the operations of the company hence improved performance. The study was mainly limited by the cost to collect data due to movements from one firm to another and the fact that the study was based on a sample size thus as certain section preferred for the study. Further study should be carried out to include one on one interviews so as to compare the results from the interviews data with the current ones of the closed ended questionnaires. Both secondary data and primary data should be explored in the subject under study to make sure that the topic of corporate governance is well covered. The study recommends further studies to be done on the other sectors other than audit firms on the corporate governance and firm performance. Sectors such as banking, telecommunications, manufacturing, retail, transport, agricultural among other should be explored
Note Taking and Directionality: an Investigation of the Effect of Language Choice in Note Taking by Trainee Interpreters
No full textThis study set out to investigate language choice in note taking by trainee interpreters, errors arising from poor note taking and and the impact of directionality in faithful rendition. To do so, the study analysed renditions by four respondents working into their A languages. From the analysis of collected data it was established that trainee interpreters prefer taking notes in their A language. The study found that trainee interpreters encounter difficulties when reading back their notes during reformulation. They therefore commit errors such as repetition, omission, replacement and addition which affect the accuracy of the message. Another observation was that directionality in note taking to a large extent affects performance. Although trainers and scholars recommend that trainee interpretes take their notes in the target language, most of the students will take notes in their A language. The study concluded that indeed that the choice of language in note taking not only affects rendition in terms of accuracy and faithfulness but the quality of delivery as well. Among the recommedations is that trainee interpreters should be encouraged to work into their other languages apart from the A language to give them a broader picture of the profession. While working into the A language is most comfortable, it should not be assumed that occasions will not arise in real life where one would be required to work into other languages
Effect Of Digital Banking Strategies On Growth Of Commercial Banks In Kenya: At Kenya Commercial Bank
Get PDFThe1aim1of1this1study1was1to1investigate1effect1of1digital1banking1on1growth1of1 commercial1 banks1 in1 Kenya, at Kenya commercial bank. The study was addressed by the following objectives, the effect1 of1 internet1 subscription on1 the1 banks1 loan book, and the1effect1 of1 mobile subscription on customer deposits and lastly what is the effect of branchless banking1 on1 the1 banks1 operational costs. The study1 adopted1 a descriptive case1 study1 research1 design1 as it sought to describe the characteristics related to digital banking and growth of commercial banks, estimate the influence and make predictions. The study targeted 200 branch managers of Kenya commercial1 banks1 in1 Kenya1 as1 at1 31st1 December1 20171 (KCB yearly report, 2017). The study adopted a census approach. Data collected was first coded as per the variables, then data entry done for every research tool filled. After this, descriptive statistics was carried out and presented in pie charts and frequency tables then interpreted to derive meaning with regards to the study objectives. Multiple1 regression1 analysis1 was used to measure the nature, magnitude and relationship1 among1 variables. 1 From the regression analysis it can be observed that1 internet1 banking1 has an average effect1 on1 loan1 book, 1 it is also certain that customers are quite aware and have the knowledge1 of1 how1 to1 use1 internet1 banking1 and1 are1 willing1 to1 embrace1 the technology. Despite these results, the study concludes that the technology is not widely accepted due to safety and security issues which respondents think affect customers greatly. Therefore, the uptake of this platform is greatly dependent in safety measures to avoid losses on the customer’s side. Based on the information that was analyzed in regard to the study objectives, it is clear that mobile banking has empowered clients to access to supports whenever they need, and they additionally think of it as a financially savvy approach to give banking services to the unbanked. It likewise empowers the clients to save money on exchange cost. For the information investigation finished as to the target it very well may be reasoned that mobile banking penetration in commercial banks has been made easier by many Kenyans being owners of mobile phones. From the regression analysis there is over and above 50% significant influence of branchless banking on the banks operational cost. Digital banking has been a key significant aspect of the organization that has helped in monitoring and controlling bank cost. Despite this finding, there was an average consensus on the issue of whether digital banking has minimal maintenance and operating costs, since the cost of infrastructure might be high in some case
The Effectiveness Of Digital Anal Dilatation In Preventing Anal Strictures After Anorectal Malformation Repair
No full textBackground: Anal dilatation is performed after repair of anorectal malformations(ARMs) and is vital in prevention of anal stricture formation. The ideal protocol utilizes Hegar dilators. In our setup, few parents will acquire Hegar dilators for home based anal dilatation but majority will use fingers as an alternative. The basis of this study was to determine the effectiveness of digital anal dilatations in preventing anal strictures.
Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) which recruited children post ARM repair undergoing digital anal dilatation. The diameters of the digits used for anal dilatation were assessed for adequacy using the desired anal size as a reference point. The main outcome variable was the presence of anal strictures. Data were entered in a data collection sheet and analyzed by use of SPSS (V.21.0 Chicago, Illinois). Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to ascertain association among variables. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: 50 patients with ARM post repair were recruited in the study. The rate of occurrence of anal stricture was 22%. Among the participants with anal strictures, only 27% were compliant to the dilatation regimen while 73% reported noncompliance. The mean diameter(mm) of the dilating digits at the level of the middle phalanx was Index finger (15.4 ± 0.58), middle finger (15.2 ± 0.61), ring finger (14.2 ± 0.71), small finger (12.5 ± 0.91) and thumb (17.6 ± 0.78). 46% of the participants were dilated with appropriately sized digits. The remainder had dilatations done with larger (22%) or smaller digits (32%). Notably, anal strictures occurred in participants who were dilated with inappropriately sized digits (P = 0.001).
Conclusion: Digital anal dilatation is safe and effective as a mode of anal dilation in the setting of compliance to a strict dilatation protocol, daily frequency of dilations and use of appropriately sized digits. Owing to the variability in the finger size, we recommend that digits be calibrated and education given to the caregivers on the use of the appropriately sized digit.
Level of evidence: Treatment study. Level III
Private Saving-investment Nexus In Rwanda (1980-2016)
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to empirically examine the nature of the relationship between
private saving and private investment in Rwanda. To achieve this purpose, we adopted the longrun
generic model of saving and investment initiated by Feldstein and Horioka (1980) which was
later modified in order to come to an improved specification that captures the study variables.
Previous studies focused just on the aggregate domestic saving-investment relationship and no
attempt was made to the disintegration of the total domestic saving-investment relation into their
sub-components. Such analyses are critical as they would guide the possibility for countries to
reassess their policy framework for investment. Hence, the contribution of this study was to fill
this gap by investigating the nexus between Private Gross Domestic Saving (PGDS) and Private
Gross Fixed Capital Formation (PGFCF) in Rwanda using the lately developed bounds test
approach to cointegration. Cointegration test statistics showed that PGDS and PGFCF were cointegrated
for Rwanda when PGFCF served a responding-variable. The ARDL technique
indicated a tiny little correlation (0.08) between PGDS and PGFCF for Rwanda implying heavy
dependence of PGFCF on foreign private saving, in the period under study. VECM tests statistics
showed unidirectional long-run influence running from PGDS to PGFCF. The long-run empirical
findings indicated that PGDS matters for PGFCF and therefore, this study suggests that
government should implement policies aimed at removing obstacles to PGDS acceleration in
order to influence PGFCF in Rwanda
Influence of Miraa Business Management on Students’ Participation in Secondary School Education in Marsabit Central Sub-county, Marsabit County, Kenya
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of miraa business management on students’ participation in secondary school education in Marsabit Central Sub-County, Kenya. The study sought to determine the influence of demographic information, miraa business activities, school governance strategies, parental involvement and Ministry of Education Policies on students’ participation in secondary school education in Marsabit Central Sub-County, Marsabit County, Kenya. The study was guided by Walberg’s theory on educational productivity and Individualized (Eclectic) Theory. The study employed descriptive survey design. The study target population comprised 72 parent representatives, 3000 students, 144 teachers and 12 principals of secondary schools and sample consisted of 106 teachers, 61 parent representatives and 353 students in Marsabit central Sub-County. Stratified random sampling was used to select 106 teachers, 61 parent representatives and 353 students in Marsabit central Sub-County. Census technique was used to select all the 12 principals in Marsabit central Sub-County. Primary data were collected using three sets of questionnaires administered to teachers, parent representatives and students. Interview guide was also held with school principals where responses were handwritten. The output of the regression coefficient showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between miraa business activities and students’ participation in secondary school education, school governance strategies and students’ participation in secondary school education, parental involvement and students’ participation in secondary school education, Ministry of Education Policies and students’ participation in secondary school education in Marsabit Central Sub-County. The study recommends that school management need to create awareness on dangers of engaging students in picking miraa and transporting miraa to business centres. Parents need to be vigilant on how their children go about their daily school activities as far as miraa business activities are concerned. There is need for proper school governance strategies that include involving checking things students carry, motivational speakers by Board of management, during morning assemblies, engaging students through a guiding and counselling session on miraa use and engaging all students in enforcing school policies on miraa use. The study further recommends for active parental involvement that includes counselling students on miraa use and guiding students on miraa use, parents need to maintain close monitoring of their children. Though there are Ministry of Education Policies on drug use, there are no clear laws on miraa use. There is need for the creation of policies in support by the Ministry of Education to mitigate use of miraa among students. Based on the study findings, the study made suggestions for future research that include to: determine the effects of miraa business management on students’ academic performance, establish a comparison study on benefits of miraa business activities and its harmful effects on educational outcome and determine the relationship between miraa use, use of other drugs and substance and students’ delinquency in school