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Few Plasmodium falciparum merozoite ligand and erythrocyte receptor pairs show evidence of balancing selection
No full textErythrocyte surface proteins have been identified as receptors of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite proteins. The ligand-receptor interactions enable the parasite to invade human erythrocytes, initiating the clinical symptoms of malaria. These interactions are likely to have had an evolutionary impact on the genes that encode the ligand and receptor proteins. We used sequence data from Kilifi, Kenya to detect departures from neutrality in a paired analysis of P. falciparum merozoite ligands and their erythrocyte receptor genes from the same population. We genotyped parasite and human DNA obtained from 93 individuals with severe malaria. We examined six merozoite ligands EBA175, EBL1, EBA140, MSP1, Rh4 and Rh5, and their corresponding erythrocyte receptors, glycophorin (Gyp) A, GypB, GypC, band 3, complement receptor (CR) 1 and basigin, focusing on the regions involved in the ligand-receptor interactions. Positive Tajima's D values (>1) were observed only in the MSP1 C-terminal region and EBA175 region II, while negative values (1). Both these genes contain multiple polymorphisms, which in the case of EBA175 may counteract receptor polymorphisms and/or evade host immune responses and in MSP1 the polymorphisms may primarily evade host immune response
Portrayal of Disability (Albinism) in Goro Wa Kamau’s Ghost and the Fortune Hunters
No full textThe study investigates the relationship between portrayal of disability in literature and the perception or image created towards characters with disability. Although disabled characters exist in texts ubiquitously, their presence is overlooked or they carry negative connotations as explored by literary scholars who examine recurring stereotypes and misrepresentations perpetuated in literary texts. This research focuses on the impact of negative representation and more especially, on ways of creating new interpretations of disabled characters in literature. In this research therefore, we examine the role of the disabled child character in deconstructing disability in Goro Wa Kamau’s novel Ghost and the fortune Hunters. we explore the strategies employed by the disabled character to deconstruct existing stereotypes and misrepresentations in understanding albinism in the text. These strategies lead to constructions of normalcy and dynamism in perceiving disability. The study further examines how disability is re-imagined to create realistic and positive portrayals in literature.
Since representation in fictional works informs the way we interpret reality, we applied psychoanalysis theory in order to analyze the behaviors and attitudes of characters. Characters’ psyches and actions affect the way they perceive disability. Deconstruction theory was also applied with the aim of challenging existing interpretations of disability, destabilizing myths and beliefs with regard to disability and constructing new or diverse images of disability in literary texts. Drawing on literary styles: metaphor, point of view and symbolism, the study reveals that positive and realistic representations are achieved by analyzing the text using the above forms of style
The January Effect as Evidenced by Foreign Investor Trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (Nse)
No full textThis study aimed at determining January Effect in NSE as evidenced by trading patterns of foreign investors. The study was based on the Efficient Market Hypothesis, the Random Walk Theory and the Behavioral Finance Theory. A descriptive research design was adopted. The population was 63 companies that were listed at the NSE as at the end of the year 2018. Out of this population, 60 companies qualified as they provided the full set of data on prices of stock. The secondary data was sought from the NSE data vendors. The stock prices were then utilized to compute the January mean returns and also rest of the year mean returns. A paired t-test was utilized to establish if there might have been a difference of a significant amount in mean returns. From the paired t-test, there was of significant difference in January mean returns and the rest of the year for the banking, energy and petroleum and the insurance sectors. However, the automobiles and accessories, commercial and services, construction and allied, investment, investment services, manufacturing and allied, telecommunication and technology and real estate investment trust sectors had no significant difference in January mean returns and the rest of the year. The study also concludes that both purchases and sales a strong positive and significant effect on stock prices in NSE. As there is existence of calendar anomalies at the NSE for the three sectors, the study recommends that the Capital Markets Authority need to come up with policies and regulations that will aim at improving efficiency at the NSE
factors associated with stillbirth at banadir hospital, somalia: a case control study
No full texta
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Digitization Of Tax Administration, Technology And Tax Compliance By Small And Medium Sized Enterprises In Nairobi Central Business District
No full textThe main objective of the study was to explore the impact of digitization on tax administration, technology and tax compliance by SMEs in Nairobi CBD. Most SMEs fail to register their businesses for tax reasons and mostly operate without licenses from both national and county governments. Therefore, tax compliance is a matter of great concern for all SMEs. Furthermore, lots of money is generated from SMEs operations on daily basis although majority are considered as hard tax payers. A key tool that could be used to curb and increase tax compliance by SMEs is digitization of the tax administration system. This would increase the efficiency and effectiveness in tax collection. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of digitization in tax administration, technology and tax compliance by SMEs in Nairobi CBD. The specific objectives of the research were; to establish the effect of digitization of tax administration on compliance by small and medium sized enterprises in Nairobi Central Business District, to assess the influence of technology on the association between digitization of tax administration on compliance by SMEs in Nairobi CBD and to determine the impact of digitization in tax administration on tax compliance by small and medium sized enterprises. This research was informed by the innovation diffusion theory, the psychology theory, technology acceptance theory, and fischer tax compliance model. The study used the descriptive research design. The target population was all the 1539 SMEs operating in Nairobi CBD. Stratifies random sampling was used to derive 155 respondents which was used as the sample. Out of the 155 questionnaires issued, 133 were successfully filled and returned translating to a response rate of 85.8 %. The inferential statistics was undertaken by performing on digitization in tax administration against tax compliance. The study found p values of 0.000 at 95% level of confidence on the association between digitization and tax compliance by SMEs. This shows that the model adopted for this study was significant and that digitizing tax administration significantly improves tax compliance. Technology was also found to play a vital role in mediating the relationship between digitization and tax compliance since it was a crucial component of digitization. It can be concluded that an increase in the utilization of the resources in the digitized KRA tax administration tax system such as real time and data analytics enables SMEs to promptly make remittances thus protecting them from potential consequences associated with noncompliance. The study recommends that KRA should develop training programs for SMEs to equip them with additional knowledge on the digitized tax administration system. SMEs should be educated on how to use the KRA portal and sensitized on the different resources available in the platform for full and effective utilizatio
Integrated Logistics and Service Quality at National Housing Corporation
No full textIntegrated logistics is a popular practice within the construction industry in Kenya that various companies currently apply to improve their performance and ensure quality services to the clients. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of integrated logistics on service quality at the National Housing Corporation and by extension the construction industry in Kenya. The study established that transport management, performance strategy, communication, and warehousing management are the most integral components of integrated logistics. Nevertheless, most studies available have not delved into the logistics practices in the Kenyan construction industry. The population of study of the research consisted of 34 people drawn from the National Housing Corporation. It applied case study research design. Additionally, the study mainly depended on primary data collected through structured questionnaire form various people working at the NHC including a manger, estate officers, procurement specialists, finance officers, and administration officers. The response rate was 85%. The collected data was systematically and analyzed the findings using SPSS. The data analysis relied on regression, correlation analysis, and descriptive technique. The results established that the corporation depended on different components of logistics including facility location, logistics ICT, inventory management, warehousing management, and transport management in varying orders of significance. Proper implementation of integrated logistics has the propensity of enhancing company performance, ensuring quality services, and promoting customer satisfaction. It focused on the construction industry in Kenya, and specifically the National Housing Corporation, which may not b applicable in the other sectors of the economy. Therefore, the researcher recommends that the findings be applied in other industries to determine the integrated logistics practices and service quality that may be useful to the Kenyan and by extension the global economies
Total Salivary Protein and Its Relationship to Periodontal Health in an Adult Kenyan Population
No full textIntroduction: Periodontal disease is highly prevalentand is one of the highest contributors to global oral health burden.Diagnosis of active periodontal disease provides a challenge for clinicians because the traditional periodontal diagnostic parameters are not very easyto use and they mostly only measure disease history. Advances in oral and periodontal disease diagnostic research is moving towards more objective measures such as biomarkers which can identify and quantify the presence of disease. Saliva is a mirror of oral and systemic health and a valuable source for biomarkerswhich are specific for the unique and physiological aspects of periodontal diseases. Changes in quality and quantity of salivary proteins occur in different physiologic and pathologic states therefore measuring these may act as biomarkers for the periodontal phenotype. The aim of this study is to analyze total salivary protein as a potential diagnostic biomarker for detecting inflammation of the periodontal tissues using simple biochemical methods. Study objective: To determine the total protein content of saliva in a Kenyan adult population and investigate its relationship with periodontal health status. Study population and sample size: one hundred and sixty-one study participants were selected from a pool of people attending University of Nairobi Dental Hospital. Study area: The study was carried out at the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital (UNDH).The subjects were recruited from the OralDiagnosis and Periodontology clinics. Study design: This was a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study. Materials and Methodology:one hundred and sixty-one participants were selected from a pool of individuals attending the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital during the period of study via systematic random sampling. Saliva was collected from each participant using the spit method followed by a periodontal examination. Total salivary protein was quantified using bicinchoninic acid assay. Results: A total of 161 participants were recruited. The male to female ration was 0.85. The age of the participants ranged between 18 – 80 with a mean of 38.34 years (+ 13.44 SD) and a median of 37.00.
The total salivary protein ranged between 0.11mg/ml to 12.17mg/ml (mean = 2.03mg/ml + 1.97 SD and a median =1.38). Males had a statistically higher salivary protein levels (mean = 2.39+2.16SD) than females (mean = 1.72+1.75SD), t (140.220) = 2.156, p = 0. 033.Generally, the mean levels were higher in patients with periodontitis with statistically significant association between salivary protein levels and mild periodontitis levels (r = 0.594*, p = 0.020). However, onlya moderate, positive and non-statistically significant association was found between salivary protein levels and severe periodontitis levels (r = 0.359, p = 0.278). Conclusion:The findings of this study suggests that total salivary proteinlevels could serve as biomarkers of inflammation in the periodontium. Recommendation Total salivary protein should be considered as a potential adjunctive diagnostic tool for evaluating inflammatory periodontal diseases. However, there is need for more salivary proteomic studies with larger sample sizes and evaluation of individual proteins and their specific role in periodontal diseases and randomized controlled trials in Kenyans to fully exploit the potential of these biomarkera
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
The Role Of Social Enterprise In The Empowerment Of Households
No full textThe socio-economic empowerment of households in Kibra, in Nairobi County and the rest of urban slum areas in Kenya are declining. There is need for individuals and the community to be socio-economically empowered in order to handle the current hard economic situations. This study examined the role of social enterprise in the empowerment of households supported by Riziki Kenya in Nairobi county, Kibra sub-county. Multi-stage sampling was employed. Purposive sampling method was used to select 6 key informants predominately from Riziki Kenya managers and staff members. Purposive sampling was used to select 12 groups, supported by Riziki Kenya. A sample size of 84 members of the sampled groups were selected using simple random sampling. Findings are presented in tables, graphs, charts and narratives. The study found that Riziki Kenya had enhanced the access of households to financial services with which to operate their businesses, thus improving the growth of their enterprises. The findings revealed that the percentage of respondents who generated profits between Kshs 20,000 to Kshs 30,000 increased from 8% to 20%. The findings also revealed that 49% of the respondents said that their sales grew between 30% and 50% on average after intervention. This in turn helped many households to improve their socio-economic life. The study established that there was need for capacity building for households to continue being trained on basic entrepreneurial and business management skills in order to improve their enterprises. There was also need for the government to support social entrepreneurs to operate at greater scale through organizational growth. The study also found out that there are many details left out on the intervention strategies. Thus, the study recommends that more focus should be directed to the effect of savings, credit and training on the growth of households’ businesses. The study also recommends that Riziki Kenya should collaborate with other organisations which have similar goals for networking