85 research outputs found
E-Learning: USIU’s Experience
No full textA Journal article by Dr. Gerald W. Chege,an Assistant Professor, Information Systems & Technolog at United States International UniversityDistance education / distance learning, is a field of education that focuses on the pedagogy, technology, and instructional systems design that are effectively incorporated in delivering education to students who are not physically "on site" to receive their education.
Instead, teachers and students may communicate asynchronously (at times of their own choosing) by exchanging printed or electronic media, or through technology that allows them to communicate in real time (synchronously).
Distance education courses that require a physical on-site presence for any reason including the taking of examinations is considered to be a hybrid or blended course or program.
Types of Distance Education Courses
Correspondence conducted through regular mail Internet conducted either synchronously or asynchronously
Telecourse/Broadcast where content is delivered via radio or television CD-ROM where the student interacts with computer content stored on a CD-ROM
PocketPC/Mobile Learning where the student accesses course content stored on a mobile device or through a wireless serve
IBPP Research Associates: Kenya
No full textThe article - How Moi makes a fool of IMF: Corruption in Kenya has gone into overdrive - was written by Michael Chege, and was recently posted online at Africanews.com (http://www.africanews.com/) in 1999. Dr. Michael Chege, a Kenyan, is Director, Center for African Studies, University of Florida. This article first appeared in a recent Issue of Africa Analise.
The author discusses economic reforms and renewed growth in Africa and the decade-long on-and-off dalliance between the IMF and the Daniel arap Moi government in Kenya.
IBPP Comment. The parallels to Issues between the IMF and Russia seem extraordinary. Opponents of how the IMF does business in Russia might well look to Kenya and yet other nation-states for analytic and operational shortfalls characteristic of the IMF infrastructure.
For more information of the document as published, please contact Africanews.com at http://www.africanews.com/page/contact/
Ideal Matunda Ltd: Investment Challenges
No full textA case study done on Ideal Matunda Ltd by Chege Gerald W. Assistant Professor of Information Systems & Machoka Phillip Gichaba Lecturer of Information Systems and Technology, school of Science and Technology in USIU – Africa.Sitting at her office, the CEO of Ideal Matunda Ms. Beth Mwangi was preparing for the next board meeting which was coming up the following week, 9th Thursday, September 2010. She was contemplating on issues she had discussed in meetings with the finance manager earlier that week and the operations manager that day. She needed to make a decision to present to the board, whether to invest in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system or another production plant for refining oil. . The Operations Manager was passionately rooting for the oil refinery plant while the Finance Manager was convinced the ERP was the priority to improve on organizational operations and to manage costs. Having spent 4 years in the fruit business sub-sector, Ms. Mwangi looked back and realized she needed to move Ideal Matunda Ltd. to the next level. One option would be to diversify the business into refined avocado oils for local as well as international markets. The other would be to improve on operational efficiency of the company through the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The later would cut down costs, enhance its competitiveness and differentiate it from its competitors in the fruit sector. The company could not implement both options due to financial constraints. Ms. Mwangi wondered whether she should invest in another production system for refined oils to diversify, or in ICT to improve on operational efficiency
An investigation of memory T cell phenotypes in peripheral blood of Chacma baboons after immunisation with candidate HIV-1 vaccines
No full textIncludes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.Previous studies from the HIV Vaccine Development Group at the University of Cape Town have reported that immunisation with recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (SAAVI MVA-C) or DNA prime and Pr55 Gag virus-like particle (VLP) boost based on HIV-1 subtype C are able to successfully induce vaccine specific responses in Chacma baboons. The aim of the current study was to characterise the T cell memory phenotype distribution in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from Chacma baboons vaccinated with SAAVI MVA-C/VLP and DNA/VLP prime-boost vaccination regimens by flow cytometry
An investigation of the impact of parasitic worm infection on the immunogenicity of candidate HIV vaccines
No full textDevelopment of effective and affordable HIV vaccines is one of the best and cost-effective strategies for controlling the HIV epidemic and a top priority in endemic areas. Successful future candidate HIV vaccines are expected to elicit effective antibody and T cell-mediated responses. This is envisaged to be attained through induction of potent T cell-mediated immune responses to control viral replication in the tissues and disease progression as well as a durable antibody immune response which comprises of broadly neutralizing antibodies to block virus entry at the mucosal sites. Both types of immune responses are influenced by a T helper cell type 1 (Th1) immune response. In developing worlds such as Sub-Saharan Africa co-infections of HIV and schistosomiasis are common. Helminth infections such as schistosomiasis induce strong Th2 biased immune responses that have been reported to alter HBV, BCG, Tetanus toxoid and some candidate HIV vaccine-specific immune responses. Because Th1 and Th2 are almost mutually exclusive, it is suggested that, in the presence of chronic helminthic infections, Th1 responses elicited by HIV vaccine may be attenuated, hence, reduce vaccine efficiency. On the other hand, vaccination with an effective HIV vaccine might shift the immune bias towards a Th1 response, resulting in worsening of the helminth-associated pathology, thus, making the vaccine unsafe to the recipients. This study aimed at investigating if chronic helminth infection (Schistosoma mansoni: Sm) has a negative impact on the immunogenicity of HIV vaccine candidates (SAAV DNA-C2, SAAVI MVA-C, and Env gp140 protein) previously shown to induce cellular, mixed and antibody immune responses in mice. The objectives of this study were to (i) infect mice with live Schistosoma mansoni infection in order to induce a predominantly Th2 immune response in a mouse model; (ii) evaluate if helminth-induced Th2 immune biasing negatively affects responses to candidate HIV vaccines; (iii) evaluate the ability of ant ihelminthic chemotherapy in restoring normal responses to HIV vaccines in helminth infected mice; (iv) evaluated if HIV vaccine that predominantly induces strong cellular immune responses result in worsening of the helminth-associated pathology and (v) evaluate if helminth eggs in the absence of live helminth infection drives a Th2-dominant response that can affect HIV vaccine responses. The BALB/c mouse model has been used extensively at the University of Cape Town for studying the Smassociated immunology as well as for initial evaluation of candidate HIV vaccines. Female BALB/c mice were either chronically infected with Sm cercariae or inoculated with Sm eggs (SmE) before being subsequently vaccinated twice, 4 weeks apart with three vaccination regimes that elicit cellular (SAAVI DNA-C2 prime + MVA-C boost denoted: DNA+MVA), antibody (gp140 Env protein) and mixed cellular and antibody (SAAVI MVA-C prime + gp140 Env protein boost denoted: MVA+gp140) responses. Some groups of mice infected with live Sm were treated twice with praziquantel (PZQ) prior to vaccination. Spleens, blood and livers were harvested for analysis of vaccine-specific T cell, antibody responses and histological studies using ELISpot, ELISA, CBA, ICS staining, H&E/CAB staining and hydroxyproline assay. Our findings demonstrated that in a mouse model, chronic Sm-infection induces a predominantly Th2 immune biased response marked with elevated parasite-specific IL-4; IL-6 and IL-10 as well as elevated total IgG1 and IgM, while resulting in decreased Th1 markers. Furthermore, chronic infection significantly inhibited cellular responses to the MVA+gp140 vaccine regimen shown by IFN-γ and IL-2 ELISpot; CBA and ICS staining. Similarly, in DNA+MVA vaccinated mice, a significant reduction in vaccine-specific responses was observed in Sm-infected groups compared to uninfected vaccinated groups shown by IFN-γ and IL-2 ELISpot; CBA and ICS against HIV immunogens. antihelminthic treatment with PZQ resulted in the partial restoration of Th1-Th2 balance in the Sm-infected hosts, with the levels of vaccine-induced IFN-γ; TNF-α and IL-2 being partially restored despite the presence of elevated Th2 cytokines after treatment with PZQ. A significant overall decrease in Env gp140 specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b antibody responses was observed in the Sm-infected mice vaccinated with gp140 or MVA+gp140 vaccine regimen compared to uninfected vaccinated controls. Surprisingly, antihelminthic treatment did not restore vaccineinduced antibody responses. Our histology data showed that DNA+MVA vaccinated mice develop increased liver pathology during chronic schistosomiasis compared to unvaccinated Sm-infected groups shown by larger livers; spleen and enlarged granuloma formation. However, no significant difference in collagen content (a marker of fibrosis) measured by hydroxyproline assay in both vaccinated and unvaccinated infected groups was observed. Our findings further demonstrated that in a mouse model, inoculation with SmE also induces a predominantly Th2 immune biased response marked with elevated parasite-specific IL-4; IL-6 and IL-10 while resulting in decreased Th1 markers. No significant impact on cellular responses evaluated by ELISpot and CBA were observed. However, gp140 specific IgG, IgG1 IgG2a and IgG2b antibody responses were significantly reduced in groups challenged with SmE. Overall, these findings show that chronic helminthiasis in the mouse model induces a strong Th2 biasing which is associated with attenuation of both T cell and antibody response to HIV vaccines. Elimination of helminths by chemotherapy may partially restore T cell responses, but not necessarily antibody responses. These findings further suggest that vaccinating helminth infected individuals with HIV vaccines that induce strong cellular responses may increase the pathology induced by the parasites, rendering the vaccine unsafe in helminth endemic areas. Furthermore, this study suggested that in the absence of an active chronic Sm-infection, SmE left trapped in the tissues following antihelminthic treatment, may continue to induce strong Th2 responses which are capable of downregulating vaccine-specific responses, especially the antibody-mediated responses. This study strongly recommends that development of HIV vaccines should also focus on designing vaccines that can overcome helminth-induced immunity
Construction and evaluation of three candidate vaccines expressing HIV-1 subtype-C mosaic Gag
No full textIncludes bibliographical referencesOf the 35 million people living with HIV-1 globally, approximately 71.4% are in the resource-limited sub-Saharan Africa. The immense sequence diversity of HIV-1, even within subtypes, makes it challenging to develop effective vaccines that target a wide range of HIV subtypes. Mosaic immunogens have been computationally designed to specifically overcome this hurdle by maximizing the inclusion of common T cell epitopes. When compared to consensus immunogens, polyvalent mosaic immunogens of HIV-1 group M have shown increased breadth and depth of antigen-specific T-cell responses. More than 90% of HIV positive individuals in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1C). We therefore designed, constructed, and evaluated candidate vaccines expressing HIV-1C mosaic Gag (GagM) in a proof of concept study. Gag was chosen as the most appropriate target for a T cell-based vaccine as there are many studies correlating control of HIV viral load with T cell responses to Gag. The immunogen was designed by Fischer et al., 2007 (1). Three different vaccine platforms were chosen based on their different strengths to be used in prime-boost regimens to determine the immunogenicity of HIV-1C GagM in mice. The first was a pantothenic auxotroph of the tuberculosis vaccine Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG). The second was a DNA vaccine vector with enhanced expression of transgenes due to a novel enhancer element from porcine circovirus type 1, which has been demonstrated to increase gene expression. The third vaccine vector selected was the well characterised poxvirus modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA)
An investigation of the effects of helminth worm infection on the capacity of HIV vaccines to boost vaccine-generated immune responses
No full textTo protect against sexual transmission, successful future HIV vaccines will likely be given to adolescents as a booster subsequent to primary immunization during infancy. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a large proportion of children are chronically infected with a variety of helminths. These infections may suppress the ability of a host to elicit vaccine-induced Th1 responses that are considered important for a successful HIV vaccine. This study investigated the effect of chronic helminthic infection on the boosting capacity of a poxvirus-protein HIV vaccine regimen (SAAVI MVA-C and Env gp140 protein) in a mouse model. Groups of mice were prime-vaccinated with SAAVI MVA-C through an intramuscular injection, and Env gp140 protein formulated in Alum adjuvant which was administered via an intraperitoneal injection. These vaccinations were given concurrently, 2 weeks prior to infection with Schistosoma mansoni (Sm) through a percutaneous route. Control mice were either left uninfected (Naïve) or infected in the same manner (Sm) without vaccination. A booster vaccination was given 8 weeks post helminth infection. HIV-specific immune responses were analysed in the blood and spleens two weeks after booster vaccination. The magnitudes of cumulative IFN-γ ELISPOT responses to HIV Gag, RT and Env peptides were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the vaccinated and Sm-infected (Vaccine+Sm) mice (948 sfu/106) than vaccinated and uninfected (Vaccine) mice (1733 sfu/106), with IFN-γ responses to RT (CD8) being the most dominant for both mouse groups (Vaccine+Sm: 734 ± 221 sfu/106, Vaccine: 521 ± 116 sfu/106). No significant difference was observed in the magnitudes of cumulative IL-2 ELISPOT responses to the vaccine peptides between the Vaccine+Sm and Vaccine groups, however IL-2-producing T cell responses to Env (CD4) dominated in both mouse groups. Vaccine+Sm and Sm groups had similar IFN-γ- and IL-2-producing T cell responses to SEA. Splenocytes from Vaccine+Sm mice secreted less Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF- α) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) cytokines than those from uninfected vaccinated mice in response to HIV vaccine peptides. The total number of activated CD4+ T cells responding to vaccine peptides was greater for Vaccine+ Sm mice than Vaccine mice (p<0.05), however, no such statistical significance was observed in the differences seen between these vaccinated mouse groups for the number of activated CD8+ T cells. The frequencies of central memory activated CD4+ T cells were seen to be greater in Vaccine group (Gag; 34.28 ± 8.35%, Pol; 33.53 ± 6.34%, Env(CD4); 33.92 ± 3.87%, Env (CD8); 38.76 ± 10.52%) as opposed to the Vaccine+Sm group (Gag; 28.09 ± 3.95%, Pol; 26.45 ± 4.66%, Env (CD4); 28.79 ± 6.95%, Env (CD8); 28.65 ± 3.29%). Furthermore, Vaccine+Sm mice had higher titres of HIV-1 gp140- specific IgG1 antibodies (p<0.0001) (a Th2 antibody marker) but significantly less gp140- specific IgG2a (p<0.0001) and IgG2b (p<0.001) (Th1 antibody markers) antibodies. This trend was also observed with total non-Env-specific antibody titres. This study demonstrates that chronic helminthic infection is associated with an attenuated boosting capacity of a poxvirus-protein HIV vaccine in a mouse model, suppressing both T cell cytokine production and Th1-type antibody responses. Since HIV vaccine-induced Th1 responses are considered important for a successful HIV vaccine, these data suggest that chronic helminthiasis may impact negatively on future HIV vaccination outcomes in adolescents living in SSA where helminthic parasites are endemic
EFFECT OF MARKETING OUTSOURCING ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMOTIVE ASSEMBLING FIRMS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
No full textAbstract: Automotive Assembling firms in Nairobi County, Kenya, have faced significant challenges over the last 15 years, including lack of supporting standards, low-capacity building, a huge influx in second-hand motor vehicles, which account for 80% of motor vehicles, these challenges contributed to decline in the organizational performance. Most of them have embraced Outsourcing Strategies to improve their organizational performance. However, they are still facing stagnant operational performance. Organizational performance in this study was measured using sales, profitability and market share, therefore most of the firms experienced low sales, non-profitability and reduced market share. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the effect of marketing outsourcing on organizational performance of automotive assembling firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study applied a descriptive survey design. The research narrowed to Procurement staff in managerial positions at 13 automotive assembling firms. This research focused on official staff in the procurement department in automotive assembling firms totaling 114 employees to collect the relevant data. A census of 114 respondents was done. Data was collected using questionnaires. Pilot Study was conducted where the questionnaire was administered to a few selected respondents from the automotive assembling firms in Nairobi Kenya. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive analysis. Multiple regression model inferential statistics was applied to obtain the correlation between variables. The study concluded that customer relations and follow-up are conducted on a regular basis through different public media outlets in the automobile assembling firms. The study recommended that the firm management must develop partnerships with the suppliers, and they should not be taken as contractors, which will help share value and missions over the long term.
Keywords: Marketing outsourcing, Organizational Performance, Outsourcing strategy.
Title: EFFECT OF MARKETING OUTSOURCING ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF AUTOMOTIVE ASSEMBLING FIRMS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
Author: Josephine Mwende, Dr. Wambui Chege
International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations
ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)
Vol. 10, Issue 2, October 2022 - March 2023
Page No: 169-174
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 07-November-2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7298841
Paper Download Link (Source)
https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/effect-of-marketing-outsourcing-on-organizational-performance-of-automotive-assembling-firms-in-nairobi-city-county-kenyaInternational Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations, ISSN 2348-7585 (Online), Research Publish Journals,
Website: www.researchpublish.co
Pre-clinical assessment of novel candidate HIV-1 vaccines using the Chacma baboon
No full textIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 176-221)
Factors that affect uptake of contraceptives at Garissa Provincial Hospital in Kenya
No full textBackground: Family planning is one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century. Worldwide acceptance has risen to three-fifths of exposed couples. In many countries however, uptake of modern contraception is constrained by limited access and weak service delivery and the burden of unintended pregnancy is still large. Family planning is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and treatment of involuntary infertility.
Objective: To determine factors that affect uptake of contraceptives by mothers attending Maternal Child Health clinic at Garissa Provincial Hospital.
Methods: A hospital based cross sectional design was used. Two hundred and ten mothers were conveniently selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire.
Data analysis: Data was analyzed using statistical package of social sciences version 21, whereby descriptive analysis were determined and p value were used to determine statistical significance of the association between independent variables and contraceptive use determined at 0.05 level of significance. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis.
Results: The uptake of contraceptives by women attending Maternal Child Health clinic at Garissa Provincial Hospital was found to be 49% in comparison with the national average which was 58%. The factors that were associated with contraceptives uptake were level of education, place of origin, partner support and comprehensive contraceptive counseling all statistically significant (p value<0.0001). Barriers to contraceptive uptake included culture, religion, distance to the hospital and failure to offer contraceptive counseling during pregnancy and discharge from maternity. Other barriers were lack of involvement of clinicians and pharmacists in family planning and contraceptives.
Conclusion: Contraceptive use is low in the study area compared to the current national average. Culture, lack of formal education, low empowerment of women, distance to the hospital and lack of multidisciplinary approach to contraceptive use counseling specifically low involvement by Pharmacist and clinicians were among the identified factors behind the low level of use.
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Recommendations for policy and practice: The County Government to Incorporate mobile clinics offering family planning services among other Maternal Child Health services as part of the counties family planning services outreaches and to decongest Garissa Provincial Hospital, a multidisciplinary approach on FP service provision to include clinicians and pharmacist should be encouraged to improve uptake of FP, community outreaches to raise awareness of contraceptives targeting both men and women and clinical Pharmacist to come up with standard operating procedures for contraceptive services.
Recommendation for further studies
A study on perception of the local men and religious leaders on family planning matters will give more insight into some of the reasons behind their opposition to contraception.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
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