The Chief Information Security Officer: An Exploratory Study

The proliferation and embeddedness of Information Technology (IT) resources into many organizations’ business processes continues unabated. The security of these IT resources is essential to operational and strategic business continuity. However, as the large number of recent security breaches at various organizations illustrate, there is more that needs to be done in securing IT resources. Firms, through organizational structures, usually delegate the management and control of IT security activities and policies to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Nevertheless, there seem to be a number of firms without a CISO and for the ones that do, there is little consensus regarding who the CISO should be reporting to. This exploratory study investigates the organizational security reporting structures using a dataset of all the firms that hired a CISO between 2010 and 2014. The results suggest that the number of firms hiring CISOs is increasing and that the hired CISOs are predominantly coming from outside the firm. Also, CISOs who are hired to fill newly created positions tend to report to the CEO whereas replacement hires for existing positions tend to report to the CIO. These findings have implications for both academics and practitioners

Prevalence of pain symptoms suggestive of endometriosis among adolescents in Kenya

Objective: To determine the prevalence of pain symptoms suggestive of Endometriosis among adolescent Kenyans and their impact on quality of life.Study Design: Analytical cross- sectional studySetting: Dual centered study at Githunguri Girls High School (Rural) and Moi Girls High School Nairobi (Urban).Subjects: Three hundred and thirteen adolescents were interviewed with even distribution between rural (50.8%) and urban (49.2%) schools.Outcome Measure: The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of pain symptoms suggestive of endometriosis.Results: Dysmenorrhea was the most prevalent symptom at 72% with severedysmenorrhea reported at 29%. Regular absenteeism was reported at 4% in those with dysmenorrhea, 1% was due to acyclic pelvic pain and 1% reported intermenstrual pain limiting their daily activities. In the students’ interviewed, 94% had not heard of endometriosis, of whom 70% were interested to know more about it. The dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain that interfered with ordinary chores was most likely due to endometriosis.Conclusion: Majority of adolescent girls with chronic pelvic pain, not corresponding to conventional therapy have endometriosis. Endometriosis appearing in adolescence is more likely to progress and if not treated, may progress beyond pain to infertility. Endometriosis in adolescence is a hidden progressive and severe disease that deserves attention, not just compassion

Plasma and cerebrospinal proteomes from childre with cerebral malaria differ from those of children with other encephalopathies

Journal article published in The Journal of Infectious DiseasesClinical signs and symptoms of cerebral malaria in children are nonspecific and are seen in other common encephalopathies in malaria-endemic areas. This makes accurate diagnosis difficult in resource-poor settings. Novel malaria-specific diagnostic and prognostic methods are needed. We have used 2 proteomic strategies to identify differentially expressed proteins in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from children with a diagnosis of cerebral malaria, compared with those with a diagnosis of malaria-slide-negative acute bacterial meningitis and other nonspecific encephalopathies. Here we report the presence of differentially expressed proteins in cerebral malaria in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid that could be used to better understand pathogenesis and help develop more-specific diagnostic methods. In particular, we report the expression of 2 spectrin proteins that have known Plasmodium falciparum–binding partners involved in the stability of the infected red blood cell, suppressing further invasion and possibly enhancing the red blood cell’s ability to sequester in microvasculature.Clinical signs and symptoms of cerebral malaria in children are nonspecific and are seen in other common encephalopathies in malaria-endemic areas. This makes accurate diagnosis difficult in resource-poor settings. Novel malaria-specific diagnostic and prognostic methods are needed. We have used 2 proteomic strategies to identify differentially expressed proteins in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from children with a diagnosis of cerebral malaria, compared with those with a diagnosis of malaria-slide-negative acute bacterial meningitis and other nonspecific encephalopathies. Here we report the presence of differentially expressed proteins in cerebral malaria in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid that could be used to better understand pathogenesis and help develop more-specific diagnostic methods. In particular, we report the expression of 2 spectrin proteins that have known Plasmodium falciparum–binding partners involved in the stability of the infected red blood cell, suppressing further invasion and possibly enhancing the red blood cell’s ability to sequester in microvasculature

Fungal diversity within organic and conventional farming systems in Central Highlands of Kenya

Open Access Article; Published online: 30 June 2020Fungal diversity in agro-ecosystems is influenced by various factors related to soil and crop management practices. However, due to the complexity in fungal cultivation, only a limited number has been extensively studied. In this study, amplicon sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region was used to explore their diversity and composition within long-term farming system comparison trials at Chuka and Thika in Kenya. Sequences were grouped into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at 97% similarity and taxonomy assigned via BLASTn against UNITE ITS database and a curated database derived from GreenGenes, RDPII and NCBI. Statistical analyses were done using Vegan package in R. A total of 1,002,188 high quality sequences were obtained and assigned to 1,128 OTUs; they were further classified into eight phyla including Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Glomeromycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Kickxellomycota, Mortierellomycota and unassigned fungal phyla. Ascomycota was abundant in conventional systems at Chuka site while Basidiomycota and Chytridiomycota were dominant in conventional systems in both sites. Kickxellomycota and Calcarisporiellomycota phyla were present in all organic systems in both sites. Conventional farming systems showed a higher species abundance and diversity compared to organic farming systems due to integration of organic and inorganic inputs

DNA2 and EXO1 in replication-coupled, homology-directed repair and in the interplay between HDR and the FA/BRCA network

During DNA replication, stalled replication forks and DSBs arise when the replication fork encounters ICLs (interstrand crosslinks), covalent protein/DNA intermediates or other discontinuities in the template. Recently, homologous recombination proteins have been shown to function in replication-coupled repair of ICLs in conjunction with the Fanconi anemia (FA) regulatory factors FANCD2-FANCI, and, conversely, the FA gene products have been shown to play roles in stalled replication fork rescue even in the absence of ICLs, suggesting a broader role for the FA network than previously appreciated. Here we show that DNA2 helicase/nuclease participates in resection during replication-coupled repair of ICLs and other replication fork stresses. DNA2 knockdowns are deficient in HDR (homology-directed repair) and the S phase checkpoint and exhibit genome instability and sensitivity to agents that cause replication stress. DNA2 is partially redundant with EXO1 in these roles. DNA2 interacts with FANCD2, and cisplatin induces FANCD2 ubiquitylation even in the absence of DNA2. DNA2 and EXO1 deficiency leads to ICL sensitivity but does not increase ICL sensitivity in the absence of FANCD2. This is the first demonstration of the redundancy of human resection nucleases in the HDR step in replication-coupled repair, and suggests that DNA2 may represent a new mediator of the interplay between HDR and the FA/BRCA pathway

Factors influencing smallholder farmers’ inputs use in major bean production corridors in Kenya

This study analysed socio-economic determinants for inputs use in major bean corridors in Kenya. It comprised 417 respondents sampled from four major bean corridors. A structured questionnaire was used in data collection. Probit model was used to assess determinants of input use among the bean-farming households. From the results, 74% of respondents were male with a mean age of 48.6 years. The probability of using agricultural inputs increased with education level and income from crop sales. Fertilizer was mainly used in Bomet (73%) and Narok (74%) counties. Eighty-five percent planted recycled seeds. Education level and Income from crops positively influenced inputs use. It was concluded that education level, incomes from sale of crops, livestock and livestock products, and farm income influenced use of inputs. As a recommendation, Capacity building on merits of input use and promotion of public-private partnerships to strengthen input supply system would enhance increased input use by smallholder farmers.Keywords: Bean, inputs, determinants, Keny

Sanitation and hygiene in Kibera Slums, Nairobi : women´s concerns and nurses promotional tools

The purpose of the study was to review the relevant literature of sanitation and hygiene regarding women in poor urban centres and explore ways on empowering women on sanitation and hygiene. The aim of the study was to describe the typical concerns for women regarding sanitation and hygiene in Kibera as well as providing women with practical suggestions to improve Hygiene and Sanitation in slums. The data collection method involved reviewing relevant literature which consisted research materials from poor urban centres and developing countries. In addition, United Nations publications and educational books for research were referred to. The findings suggest that there are seven sanitation and hygiene concerns that women experience: Toileting, water, poverty, problems caused by poor sanitation, communicable diseases, insecurity and gender inequality. Nurses need to promote hygiene and sanitation practices by advocating, educating, campaigning and participating in designing community projects that affect sanitation and hygiene. Furthermore, nurses need to work within communities, churches, and schools. As a conclusion, the findings of this study give idea on designing a poster for the community health care nurses who are working with women living in under privileged environments.Tämän kirjallisuuskatsauksen tarkoituksena oli käydä läpi asiaankuuluvaa kirjallisuuta koskien puhtaanapitoa ja hygieniaa naisten näkökulmasta köyhissä kaupunkilaiskeskustoissa. Lisäksi tarkoituksena oli tutkia naisten voimallistamisen keinoja puhtaanapidossa ja hygieniassa. Kirjallisuuskatsauksen pyrkimyksenä oli selvittää naisten tyypillisiä huolenaiheita puhtaanapitoon ja hygieniaan liittyen Kiberassa. Samalla kirjallisuuskatsauksen päämääränä oli tarjota käytännöllisiä neuvoja hygienian ja puhtaanapidon kehittämiseen slummialueilla. Aineisto kerättiin käymällä läpi asiaankuuluvaa kirjallisuutta, joka koostui sekä köyhissä kaupunkilaiskeskustoissa tehdyistä tutkimuksista että kehitysmaatutkimuksista. Lisäksi kirjallisuuskatsauksessa viitattiin Yhdistyneiden Kansakuntien julkaisuihin ja kasvatukselliseen kirjallisuuteen. Tutkimustulokset osoittavat, että naisten huolenaiheet näissä ympäristöissä puhtaanapitoa ja hygieniaa koskien voidaan jakaa seitsämään osaan: käymäläkulttuuriin, vesiongelmiin, köyhyyteen, vaillinaisen puhtaanapidon aiheuttamiin ongelmiin, tartuntatauteihin, turvattomuuteen ja sukupuolten väliseen epätasa-arvoon. Sairaanhoitajien tulisi edistää hygienia- ja puhtaanapitokäytäntöjä puoltamalla paikallisia yhteisöjä, opettamalla, järjestämällä kampanjoita ja osallistumalla yhteisöjen projektinsuunnitteluun näiden asioiden taholta. Olisi suotuisaa, että sairaanhoitajat toimisivat paikallisten yhteisöjen, kirkkojen ja koulujen sisällä. Tämä kirjallisuuskatsaus tarjoaa idean julistemallille, jonka tarkoituksena olisi yhteisön omien sairaanhoitajien kautta toimia tämän ongelman lieventämiseksi naisille epäsuosiollisissa ympäristöissä

Consumer intentions to buy nutrient-rich precooked bean snacks: does sensory evaluation matter?

Precooked bean products have the potential of bridging the common bean demand and consumption gap in Kenya. However, sensory evaluation of novel precooked processed products has been inadequate in determining acceptability. This study assessed the sensory evaluation of precooked bean snacks by 269 rural consumers in Machakos County of Kenya. Descriptive results indicated that less than one-quarter (22%) of the consumers were aware of the precooked bean products. The low awareness is a disconnect from the expectations that farming households were probably going to be aware of processed bean products because of their participation in bean value chain. Sensory evaluation showed that 75% of the consumers evaluated the freshness of the bean snacks positively, with about 90% and 63% of them positively assessing the taste of the precooked bean snacks branded Keroma Delicious and Keroma Fruity, respectively. The taste evaluation of Keroma Fruity brand significantly differed depending on age and level of education of the consumer. Similarly, the taste of Keroma Delicious brand also significantly differed by age and educational attainment of consumers. Furthermore, while consumers liked the taste parameters of the products, less than half of them liked the beany flavour of the two products. Results from the binary logit regression model indicated that freshness, sourness, and flavour positively and significantly predicted the probability of future purchases of Keroma Fruity bean snack brands. Consumer intentions to buy Keroma Delicious brand were positively predicted by flavour and marginally by sweetness. To accelerate the consumption of precooked bean products, product development and marketing strategies should recognise the role of sensory attributes in driving acceptability of the bean snacks, deploy processing technologies that retain and enhance sensory attributes, create awareness of the products, and segment the market from a gender lens in order to satisfy the diverse consumer needs and preferences

Synthesis and review: tackling the nitrogen management challenge: from global to local scales

One of the 'grand challenges' of this age is the anthropogenic impact exerted on the nitrogen cycle. Issues of concern range from an excess of fixed nitrogen resulting in environmental pressures for some regions, while for other regions insufficient fixed nitrogen affects food security and may lead to health risks. To address these issues, nitrogen needs to be managed in an integrated fashion, at a variety of scales (from global to local). Such management has to be based on a thorough understanding of the sources of reactive nitrogen released into the environment, its deposition and effects. This requires a comprehensive assessment of the key drivers of changes in the nitrogen cycle both spatially, at the field, regional and global scale and over time. In this focus issue, we address the challenges of managing reactive nitrogen in the context of food production and its impacts on human and ecosystem health. In addition, we discuss the scope for and design of management approaches in regions with too much and too little nitrogen. This focus issue includes several contributions from authors who participated at the N2013 conference in Kampala in November 2013, where delegates compiled and agreed upon the 'Kampala Statement-for-Action on Reactive Nitrogen in Africa and Globally'. These contributions further underline scientifically the claims of the 'Kampala Statement', that simultaneously reducing pollution and increasing nitrogen available in the food system, by improved nitrogen management offers win-wins for environment, health and food security in both developing and developed economies. The specific messages conveyed in the Kampala Statement focus on improving nitrogen management (I), including the reduction of nitrogen losses from agriculture, industry, transport and energy sectors, as well as improving waste treatment and informing individuals and institutions (II). Highlighting the need for innovation and increased awareness among stakeholders (III) and the identification of policy and technology solutions to tackle global nitrogen management issues (IV), this will enable countries to fulfil their regional and global commitments