4 research outputs found
Prevalence and Host Resistance to Common Bean Rust Disease in Western and Central Kenya
No full textRust, caused by Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers.) Unger, is among the most devastating diseases of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) worldwide. The pathogen is highly genetically variable, causing severe epidemics under favourable weather conditions. The objectives of this study were to determine the distribution of bean rust in major production areas in Kenya and identify potential sources of resistance for breeding. A field survey was conducted in five counties targeting smallholder common bean farmers in western and central Kenya, where data on the incidence and severity of bean rust and crop management practices by farmers were recorded. Additionally, seeds of the evaluated genotypes were collected from farms visited for further testing. A total of 77 common bean genotypes were subjected to natural infection under field conditions and inoculated with races 29–1, 29–3, 61–1, and 63–1 of rust under greenhouse conditions at the University of Embu. The gene pool affiliation of the genotypes was determined through the phaseolin protein marker analysis. Rust incidence and severity data were subjected to an analysis of variance using GenStat statistical software. The results showed that bean rust occurred in all counties although there were significant differences (P<0.001) in incidence and severity among the surveyed localities. Based on a 1–9 severity rating scale, Bungoma County recorded the highest mean severity of 3.99 and an incidence of 71%. Cultivar grown, use of fungicides, management of residues, and crop spacing had a significant effect on bean rust severity. Under field and greenhouse conditions, the genotypes revealed high variations in response to rust, with 71% of the genotypes being susceptible under greenhouse inoculations. Enclave, MU#13, UN2-Darkgreen, UN6-Nakholo, Kat X56, and KMR-11 genotypes were identified as resistant and can be used as prospective parents in common bean improvement programs in Kenya. This study revealed high occurrence and distribution of common bean rust and thus provides critical baseline information for common bean rust management in Kenya
Informed consent comprehension in African research settings
No full textObjectivePrevious reviews on participants' comprehension of informed consent information have focused on developed countries. Experience has shown that ethical standards developed on Western values may not be appropriate for African settings where research concepts are unfamiliar. We undertook this review to describe how informed consent comprehension is defined and measured in African research settings.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search involving five electronic databases: Medline, Embase, Global Health, EthxWeb and Bioethics Literature Database (BELIT). We also examined African Index Medicus and Google Scholar for relevant publications on informed consent comprehension in clinical studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. 29 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria; meta-analysis was possible in 21 studies. We further conducted a direct comparison of participants' comprehension on domains of informed consent in all eligible studies.ResultsComprehension of key concepts of informed consent varies considerably from country to country and depends on the nature and complexity of the study. Meta-analysis showed that 47% of a total of 1633 participants across four studies demonstrated comprehension about randomisation (95% CI 13.9–80.9%). Similarly, 48% of 3946 participants in six studies had understanding about placebo (95% CI 19.0–77.5%), while only 30% of 753 participants in five studies understood the concept of therapeutic misconception (95% CI 4.6–66.7%). Measurement tools for informed consent comprehension were developed with little or no validation. Assessment of comprehension was carried out at variable times after disclosure of study information. No uniform definition of informed consent comprehension exists to form the basis for development of an appropriate tool to measure comprehension in African participants.ConclusionsComprehension of key concepts of informed consent is poor among study participants across Africa. There is a vital need to develop a uniform definition for informed consent comprehension in low literacy research settings in Africa. This will be an essential step towards developing appropriate tools that can adequately measure informed consent comprehension. This may consequently suggest adequate measures to improve the informed consent procedure.ObjectifLes normes éthiques élaborées selon les valeurs occidentales ne sont peut-être pas appropriées au contexte africain où les concepts de recherche ne sont pas familiers. Cette revue décrit comment la compréhension du consentement éclairé est définie et mesurée dans les cadres de recherche africains.MéthodesDes recherches ont été effectuées sur Medline, Embase, Global Health, EthxWeb, base de données de la Bioéthique Littérature, Index Medicus African et Google Scholar pour des publications pertinentes sur la compréhension du consentement éclairé dans les études cliniques menées en Afrique sub-saharienne. 29 études répondaient aux critères d'inclusion; une méta-analyse a été possible pour 21 études. La compréhension des participants sur les domaines du consentement éclairé dans toutes les études admissibles a été comparée directement.RésultatsLa compréhension des concepts clés du consentement éclairé varie considérablement selon les pays et dépend de la nature et de la complexité de l’étude. La méta-analyse a montré que 47% des participants ont compris la randomisation (IC95%: 13,9 - 80,9%), 48% ont compris le placebo (IC95%: 19,0 - 77,5%), 30% ont compris le concept de méprise thérapeutique (IC95%: 4,6 - 66,7%). Les outils de mesure de la compréhension du consentement éclairé étaient développés avec peu ou pas de validation.ConclusionsLa compréhension des concepts clés du consentement éclairé est faible en Afrique. Il y a une nécessité vitale d’élaborer une définition uniforme pour la compréhension du consentement éclairé dans les cadres de recherche avec un faible niveau d'alphabétisation en Afrique.ObjetivoLos estándares éticos desarrollados basándose en valores occidentales podrían no ser apropiados para emplazamientos Africanos en donde los conceptos de investigación no son familiares. En esta revisión se describe como la comprensión del consentimiento informado se define y mide en un centro de investigación Africano.MétodosSe buscaron publicaciones relevantes sobre la comprensión del consentimiento informado en estudios clínicos en África subsahariana en Medline, Embase, Global Health, EthxWeb, Bioethics Literature Database, African Index Medicus y Google Scholar. 29 estudios satisfacían los criterios de inclusión y el metaanálisis era posible para 21. La comprensión del consentimiento informado por parte de los participantes se comparó directamente en todos los estudios elegibles.ResultadosLa comprensión de conceptos claves del consentimiento informado varió de forma considerable entre países, y dependía de la naturaleza y de la complejidad del estudio. El meta-análisis mostró que un 47% entendía la aleatorización (IC 95% 13.9-80.9%); un 48% entendía el placebo (IC 95% 19.0-77.5%); y un 30% entendió el concepto terapéutico errado (IC 95% 4.6-66.7%). Las herramientas para medir la comprensión del consentimiento informado se desarrollaron con poca o ninguna validación.ConclusionesEn África, la comprensión de conceptos claves del consentimiento informado es pobre. Existe una necesidad vital de desarrollar una definición uniforme para la comprensión del consentimiento informado en lugares con bajos niveles de alfabetización en África
On the Problem of Vague Terms: A Glossary of Clearly Stated Assumptions & Careful, Patient, Descriptions
No full textCoase 1930 endures through the decades as one of the most-cited papers in economics due to the fact that it highlights a fundamental and equally enduring problem: "Economic theory has suffered in the past from a failure to state clearly its assumptions. Economists in building up a theory have often omitted to examine the foundations on which it was erected. This examination is, however, essential not only to prevent the misunderstanding and needless controversy which arise from a lack of knowledge of the assumptions on which a theory is based, but also because of the extreme importance for economics of good judgement in choosing between rival sets of assumptions." In 1944 Von Neumann and Morgenstern offered the simply, yet invariably rejected solution: "In… economics the most fruitful work may be that of careful, patient description; indeed this may be by far the largest domain for the present and some time to come….Economic problems [have been and are often] not formulated clearly and are often stated in such vague terms as to make mathematical treatment a priori appear hopeless because it is quite uncertain what the problems really are. There is no point in using exact methods where there is no clarity in the concepts and issues to which they are to be applied. Consequently the initial task is to clarify the knowledge of the matter by further careful descriptive work." This paper offers a stone along the path to the solution to this problem by offering a glossary in this spirit, a glossary germain to some of the most fundamental, open problems in economics. As the fate of the human race may lay in the balance to finding solutions to these problems, this glossary may be a steop in the right direction.economic terms; methodology; scientific method; coase 1930; Von Neumann & Morgenstern 1944; definitions; careful, patient descriptions
On the Problem of the Island of Earth: Introducing a Universal Theory of Value in an Open Letter to The President of the United States
No full textThis paper introduces a unified theory of value.theory of value; evolutionary stable solution; economic power; military power; national security; global threat mitigation; extinction; human evolution; ideological environmentalism; the problem of induction; karl popper; F.A. von Hayek; austrian economics
