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Two Lignans Derivatives and Two Fusicoccane Diterpenoids From the Whole Plant of Hypoestes Verticillaris (L.f.) Sol. Ex Roem. & Schult
No full textBioassay-guided screening of Hypoestes verticillaris whole plant CH2Cl2:MeOH (1:1) extract for anti-plasmodial activity yielded four new compounds: two lignans 2, 6-dimethoxysavinin (1), 2,6-dimethoxy-(7E)-7,8-dehydroheliobuphthalmin (2); and two fusicoccane diterpenoids: 11(12)-epoxyhypoestenone (3) and 3(11)-epoxyhypoestenone (4). The chemical structures were determined using various spectroscopic techniques: UV–vis, IR, CD, 1D, 2D and MS. Two fractions (RAO-43B and RAO-43D) and the isolated compounds were tested for activity against CQ susceptible (D6) and resistant (W2) Plasmodium falciparum parasite strains, in vitro and the IC50 values determined. While the whole extract and some resultant fractions displayed moderate activity, the isolated compounds exhibited mild anti-plasmodial activity against the both strains ranging from IC50 value of 328 μM in 1 to 93 μM in 3 against W2 strain.
Graphical abstract
Hypoestes verticillaris.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Simulating Maize (Zea Mays L.) Performance Using Aquacrop Model Under Varying Irrigation Schedules and Water Depletion Levels in Bura Irrigation Scheme, Kenya
No full textSupplemental irrigation is an important practice in sustaining soil moisture for optimal crop yield especially in ASAL regions, where during the growing season, potential evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation and the available soil water content. To investigate this, two parallel field experiments were done during the 2015 short rain (October - December) and 2016 long rain (April - July) at Bura Irrigation Scheme, Tana River County, to model maize growth and yield, under seven irrigation treatments. Effect of four irrigation schedules of daily (Td), weekly (Tw), bi-weekly (Tbw) and tri-weekly (Ttw) and three levels of depletion of available water capacity (AWC) at 75% (T75), 50% (T50) and 25% (T25) were tested on maize (Zea mays L.) variety PH4. Percentage canopy covers, above ground biomass and grain yield were the parameters used to gauge maize performance. From the results, Tw and Tbw treatments gave 13.9 and 13.7 Tonha-1 of above ground biomass, respectively, which were significantly higher (P≤0.05) compared to Td and Ttw, which gave 7.2, and 8.8 Tonha-1 of above ground biomass, respectively. Grain yield for Tw was significantly higher (P≤0.05) at 5.9 Tonha-1 compared to Tbw at 5.7 Tonha-1. Compared to the other irrigation schedule treatments, Td and Ttw had significantly lower (P≤0.05) grain yield of 2.0 and 2.6 Tonha-1, respectively. T75and T50 treatments gave the highest above ground biomass of 15.8and 15.5 Tonha-1 and grain yield of 6.2 and 6.1 Tonha-1, respectively. This was significantly higher (P≤0.05) compared to T25, which gave 6.2 and 2.7 Tonha-1 of above ground biomass and grain yield, respectively. Irrigation scheduling treatments gave lower grain yield and water use efficiency compared to water depletion level treatments. The lowest (3.21 kgmm-1ha-1) and the highest (13.6 kgmm-1ha-1) water use efficiency were recorded under T75 and Td treatments, respectively. Treatments Tw, Tbw, T75 and T50 were found worth of consideration for testing under the soil and weather conditions of the study area. Aquacrop model was hence used to simulate and predict attainable yield in the irrigation scheme for these four treatments. There was agreement between the model‘s simulated and observed canopy cover, biomass yield and soil water content giving r2 values of between 0.90 - 1.00, 0.94 - 1.00 and 0.84 – 0.98 (P≤0.05), respectively. The model predicted higher above ground biomass and grain yield than what was attained in the field, an indication that yields in the farm can further be improved.
Keywords: ASALs, Irrigation schedule, water depletion levels and WU
Financial inclusion as catalyst to women’s economic empowerment in dagoretti north sub-county, nairobi city county
No full textThis was a cross-sectional descriptive study on financial inclusion as a catalyst to women’s economic empowerment in Dagoreti Sub-County, Nairobi City County. Women financial inclusion is not only a pathway to women economic empowerment in Kenya and elsewhere in the world but is also a necessity for achieving the sustainable development goals and eliminating inequalities in economic development. This study specifically set out to: examine the trends in women’s uptake of financial inclusion services, establish the determinants of women’s financial inclusion and to examine the relationship between women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment. The study extensively analyzed secondary data from FinAcess and Global Findex database on trends in women’s uptake of financial inclusions services, determinants of financial inclusion and the relationship between women financial inclusion and economic empowerment. The population for this study was women entrepreneurs in the five Wards in the study location and the unit of analysis was the individual woman entrepreneur. The study was guided by the Longwe framework. The study involved 25 women entrepreneurs aged 20 to 60 years sampled through snow bawling method. Purposive sampling was used to select Bank officials, assistant chiefs and chiefs as key informants. Quantitative data collected was analyzed quantitatively using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20 while qualitative data was analyzed thematically in line with the study objectives. The study findings indicate that there has been a positive trend in the uptake of financial services by women over the last few years; women access and usage of financial services and products still trails that of men and this is mediated mostly by socio-economic factors like education level, age, social networks, and ownership of assets. Financial inclusion has a positive impact on the lives of the women as they have improved decision making powers at the household level, many have acquired assets such as land and have acquired positions of leadership within their communities. The women also exhibit increased purchasing power as a result of access to financial inclusion services and engagement in business activities. These businesses and other self-employment opportunities were facilitated by access to credit from different sources including personal savings, friends and family, financial institutions, women groups and mobile money lending apps. The study recommends that the state, county government and other development partners should facilitate training for the informal women group members, particularly on financial access, management, loaning procedures and group management. The study also makes suggestion for a similar but more elaborate study to be conducted covering the whole county and, where possible, disaggregate the population in terms of rural and urban/peri-urban. This will be instrumental in rethinking of women empowerment and enhancement of women’s voices in development
Role Of Media In Political Conflict
No full textThis research project examined media’s role in political conflicts: a comparative study of Kenya and Zimbabwe. The study achieved this by reviewing the theoretical media’s role in triggering political conflicts as well as examined media as a tool for peaceful processes. Media practitioners and media consumers for radio, television, print, and social media were interviewed to enrich and corroborate the findings. The study utilized the agenda setting media theory. Anchored on the general objective of examining media’s contribution in politically oriented conflicts, the study hypothesized that media’s contribution to political conflict is as a result of skewed reporting and media practitioners’ failure to uphold media ethics and journalistic principles. The study was conducted using both desk top review of literature and quantitative and qualitative research methodology with the aim of establishing facts about media engagement in a conflict situation. This study concluded that the media has an input in contributing to political conflicts because both audiences in Kenya and Zimbabwe reported to have been incited by media broadcasts. On the aforementioned, the study found also found out that media contributed significantly in ending conflict although this was later after the conflicts had erupted as was in Kenya 2007-2008 elections and the elections in Zimbabwe. In light with the findings, the study recommends that there is need for self-regulation by media, as well as an independent body that can regulate media without curtailing media liberty and independence of expression
Stay of Legal Proceedings Pending Arbitration in Kenya: Judicial Interpretation and a Call for Legislative Change
No full textThe deviation from the prescribed procedure in Section 10 of the Arbitration Act, 1995 has caused unnecessary intervention by Courts in matters within the purview of arbitration. Legal elucidation of Section 6 (1) seems to clash with the principle of party autonomy causing an upsurge of arbitration disputes in courts.
This study seeks to critique the law as stipulated in Section 6 of the Arbitration Act, 1995. This provision gives party’s leeway to delay arbitration matters through unnecessary court intervention which goes against the principle of non-intervention as stipulated under the Arbitration Act, 1995.
The study seeks to give credence to Arbitration as a mode of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Kenya by ensuring that the judicial process is not initiated as a basis of undermining arbitral proceedings; by proposing specific amendments to that effect and to bring the Arbitration Act, 1995 in conformity with the Constitution of Kenya, 2010
An analysis of Manyatta Housing and Community wellbeing - a case for Kajiado County
No full textSince time immemorial, housing has been singled out as one of the key enablers of an empowered society. Though the patriarchal system in most communities in Kenya have engaged men as main change agents in housing development, Maasai women play a big role in the construction of Manyatta houses. The objectives of the study seek to examine the Maasai traditional housing in promoting community wellbeing, assess the implications linked to Manyatta housing construction and to discuss article 43 of the Kenya constitution 2010 towards addressing the basic right of the Kenyan people. These rights include the health, sanitation, privacy, security, decent and affordable housing that empowers community wellbeing. The research methodology was guided by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, (2009) and Kenya National Demographic Health survey, (2014) reports that provided detailed data on housing conditions and amenities both at national and county level. Descriptive statistics were applied in data analysis which comprised of percentages, cross tabulations, and averages. The data was presented through graphs, charts, tables, photographs and maps. Theories guiding the study are the African feminism which discusses complementary gender responsibility and the communal values while the housing adjustment theory elaborates how to maintain housing equilibrium in accordance with the norms of both society and the household itself. The local Maasai community had their own architectural design of house construction that was informed by environment, mobility, and geographical location. The analysis of manyatta housing identified critical issues related to the traditional role of women and the wellbeing of themselves, their families and community. This included health care, where the materials used for the construction led to long term respiratory illness, promoted infection of jiggers, and inadequate security of girls and women hence possibility of gender-based violence when least expected
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the anatomical variants of the left colic artery.
No full textPURPOSE:
To provide a comprehensive evidence-based assessment of the anatomical variations of the left colic artery (LCA).
METHODS:
A thorough systematic search of literature up until the 1st April 2019 was conducted on the electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science (WOS) to identify studies eligible for inclusion. Data were extracted and pooled into a meta-analysis using the Metafor package in R. The primary outcomes of interest were the absence of the left colic artery (LCA) and the anatomical variants of its origin. The secondary outcomes were the distance (mean ± SD) between the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery (OIMA) and the origin of the left colic artery (OLCA).
RESULTS:
A total of 19 studies (n= 2,040 patients) were included. The pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) of LCA absence was 1.2% (95% CI 0.0- 3.6). Across participants with either a type I or type II LCA, the PPE of a type I LCA was 49.0% (95% CI 40.2- 57.8). The PPE of a type II LCA was therefore 51.0%. The pooled mean distance from the OIMA to the OLCA was 40.41 mm (95 CI% 38.69- 42.12). The pooled mean length of a type I LCA was 39.12 mm (95% CI 36.70- 41.53) while the pooled mean length of a type IIa and type IIb LCA was 41.43 mm (95% CI 36.90- 43.27) and 39.64 mm (95% CI 37.68- 41.59) respectively.
CONCLUSION:
Though the absence of a LCA is a rare occurrence (PPE 1.2%), it may be associated with an important risk of anastomotic leak as a result of insufficient vascularization of the proximal colonic conduit. It is also necessary to distinguish the variant I and II of Latarjet, the frequency of which is identical, with division of the LCA being technically more straightforward in variant I of Latarjet. Surgeons should be aware that technical difficulties are likely to be more common in the variant II of Latarjet, as LCA ligation may be more difficult due to its close proximity
Analysis Of The Factors That Influence Housing Affordability In Kigali City
Get PDFRwanda is one of developing countries facing the challenges associated with housing. Those
challenges include among others, inadequate provision of housing especially for low income earners,
infrastructure development, scarcity of land loans and mortgage availability.
The main objective of this research project was to analyze factors that influence housing
affordability in Kigali City while specific objectives were to determine the level of housing supply
and demand in Kigali City, to identify significant factors that influence housing affordability in
Kigali City and to determine the contribution of each factor to housing affordability in Kigali City.
The methodology was based on a questionnaire survey distributed to households to collect primary
data. A sample size of 93 households within the 3 Districts of Kigali City was targeted. A semistructured
questionnaire was administered to selected respondents of 93 heads of households.
Household survey, field observation, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were
used to complement questionnaire data. A desk-review was used to review documents at both global
and country levels related to housing affordability for secondary data. The analyses were done using
qualitative and quantitative approaches with the aid of the (SPSS) Statistical Package for Social
Sciences software.
The study results revealed that the level of housing supply in Kigali City is low while the level of
housing demand in Kigali City is high. Fifteen significant factors that influence housing affordability
in Kigali City were identified and those are institutional structure affecting housing finance, cost
and availability of finance for housing, income, household growth, interest rates and mortgage
availability, property related taxes, child care, wealth, employment, infrastructure costs, costs and
availability of land, cost of professional services and house price and rental costs, shopping facilities
and finally tax concessions for both owner-occupied and rental housing.
The contribution of each factor to housing affordability in Kigali City was analyzed by a correlation
analysis that indicated that there are 11 factors which contribute to housing affordability in Kigali
City with respect to their relationship between those factors and housing affordability and those are
wealth, household growth, cost of interest rates and mortgage availability, employment,
infrastructure costs, property related taxes, income, cost and availability
v
According to the research findings, recommendations for policy makers were drawn whereby policy
makers should promote the use of modern methods and construction materials which will contribute
to providing high quality housing in a short time and for Kigali City managers, they should contribute
in providing housing cooperatives to increase availability of finance for housing for low income
earners. For further research, it would be necessary to do studies on whether homeowners and renters
perceive their housing costs as affordable or unaffordable. This could be compared to quantitative
data on housing cost and income to provide further insight in to the various housing affordability
measures
Influence of Soil Moisture Levels on Yield and Seed Quality Parameters of Biofortified Common Bean Varieties
Get PDFCommon bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is mostly cultivated in different areas where
seasonal rainfall is inconsistent and soil moisture stress limits grain yield production .
This study aimed at identifying biofortified common bean varieties with high seed weight
and high seed quality performance under different soil moisture levels. Two trials
comprising of five biofortified common bean varieties (PVA, HM21-7, RWR21-54,
RWR22- 45 and CDBIOB27) were subjected to 5 soil moisture levels (20; 40; 60; 80 and
100% of the pot capacity) in a split-plot arranged in a complete randomized design at
Kabete Field Station, University of Nairobi. At harvest time, data on pod number and
number of seeds per pod were taken. Pod weight, seed weight and the rate of seed weight
decrease due to water stress were also detemined. Seed lots from greenhouse experiments
were used in the laboratory conditions to evaluate seed quality parameters such as
germination rate, thousand seed weight, seed vigor index, seed moisture content, seed
health, Iron and Zinc content for different biofortified common bean under various soil
moisture levels. Variety CDBIOB27 performed poorly for all yield components while
variety RWR21-54 performed better than other varieties followed by variety RWR22-45
and HM21-7. No significant differences in seed weight were observed under 100%, 80%
and 60% pot capacity while 20% and 40% pot capacity gave the poorest lowest seed
weight. All other yield components had significantly low performance under 20% pot
capacity followed by performance under 40% pot capacity. The germination rate, seed
vigor index and thousand seed weight differed significantly depending on the different
biofortified varieties and soil moisture levels. There was no correlation between soil
moisture and the seed moisture content. The Iron and Zinc content differed significantly
depending on the common bean varieties and soil moisture levels. There was an
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interaction between soil moisture levels and variety on seed Zinc and Iron content.
Overall, variety RWR21-54 performed well and gave the highest seed weight per plot
(161.64g), 1000 seed weight (626.53g) and highest Iron content (66.64mg/kg) at 60% pot
capacity. The fungus incidence ranged from 14.5-52.5% (Aspergillus spp), 6-36%
(Rhizoctonia spp), and 0-9.5% (Penicillium spp) depending on the varieties and soil
moisture level. Incidence of Aspergillus spp decreased with decreased soil moisture
content. The study demonstrates that the soil moisture level can be maintained at 60%
without compromising the seed quality, Iron and Zinc content for the investigated
biofortified common beans. The general performance indicates that variety RWR21-54
performed better than other varieties at 80% and maintained this performance at 60% soil
moisture level. Field trials should be done in different climatic conditions to evaluate the
adaptation of variety RWR21-54 and RWR22-45 to different regions
