How Government Policies and Regulation influence the growth of Boda Boda enterprise in Kenya

Boda Bodas form an emerging mode of transport for passengers and light goods all over the world and more so in Africa. Over the past few years, Kenya has experienced a significant increase in use of the Boda Bodas as a means of transport. This paper reviews factors influencing the growth of Boda Boda entrepreneurship and how Government Policies and Regulation affect the Boda Boda enterprise in Busia town. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling was used for key informants while Cluster random sampling was employed for sampling. Questionnaires, interview guides and observational checklist were used to gather primary data while reports and other publications were reviewed for secondary data. Descriptive and inferential statistics and norm thematic evaluation were used to carry out the analysis of the data collected. Data was analyzed using regression, spearman rank order and chi-square test of independence. The findings of the study are useful to other scholars, the government and other stakeholders in their pursuit to reduce accidents in Kenya. Key words: Boda Bodas, Policies and Regulations

The Relationship of Gamma Immunoglobin (IgG) Density and Apgar Score in Normal Term Pregnancy

The transfer of maternal IgG provides the neonate with humoral immunity during early life. The population of transferred IgG or IgG density (IgGρ) was estimated to find out if it has any relevance to the condition of an infant 1-5 minutes after birth or APGAR score which gives an insight into the state of health of the infant and thus its chances of survival and its milestone of development. Ex-vivo, term placenta of forty euthyroid mothers, the maternal serum, and cord blood were used to estimate the IgGρ in both maternal and cord blood by taking blood samples from the antecubital vein of the mother and from the umbilical cord (mixed blood) immediately after birth; having determined the APGAR score within 1-5 minutes post-partum. The findings featured the following: the mean APGAR score (10); mean IgGρ of the neonates (11.94 ± 0.12mg/100ml of blood); mean IgGρ of the maternal blood (10.9 ± 0.29/100ml). The difference however, was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The findings provide evidence suggesting that IgGρ, not only relates to, but determines APGAR score of the neonates.Keywords: APGAR score, IgG density, Term placenta, Cord bloo

The Modulatory Activity of Justicia carnea in Plasmodium Infected Mice

The study investigated the antiplasmodial potency of Justicia carnea in plasmodium infected mice. The aqueous leaf extract of Justicia carnea was subjected to phytochemical screening using GC-FID. The suppressive, prophylactic and curative activity of the studied plant was accessed after oral administration of standard drugs (5mgkg-1 choroquine and 4mgkg-1 artesunate) and 400-800mgkg-1 of the extract. The effect of the aqueous leaf extract of the studied plant was also explored in the activities of liver enzymes, oxidative stress markers and hematological indices of plasmodium infected mice using spectrophotomertic methods and a hematology auto analyzer (BC 5300 Mindray England) respectively. The aqueous leaf extract of Justicia carnea showed considerable dose dependent antiplasmodial activity in the suppressive, prophylactic and curative test conducted. The suppressive activity of (92%) of the aqueous leaf extract of the studied plant at 800mgkg-1 was comparable to the standard drugs used while the mean survival time of plasmodium infected mice at 800mgkg-1 was beyond the mean survival time of the infected untreated group. The aqueous leaf extract of the studied plant also exhibited significant improvements in the activities of liver enzymes, oxidative stress markers and some hematological parameters at 800mgkg-1 of the extract when compared with the infected and untreated group. The results of the study exhibited the antiplasmodial activity of the studied plant, nonetheless, the crude extracts of the studied plant can be further purified for synergistic use with other potent antimalarial drugs to combat and achieve total clearance of plasmodium resistant infections

Causes and Mitigation Measures for Road Traffic Accidents in Public Service Vehicles in Kenya

Road Traffic Accidents are a worldwide concern as they lead to injury of persons, loss of lives and damage to property. The paper reviews the causes, trends and patterns of RTAs and evaluates the strategies that can be adopted to mitigate or prevent the RTAs within Kakamega Town. The research involved accidents associated with PSVs in Kakamega Town from 2005 to 2012. Descriptive research design was employed in the study. Purposive sampling was used for key informants while stratified random sampling was employed for sampling. Questionnaires, interview guides and observational checklist were used to gather primary data while reports and other publications were reviewed for secondary data. Descriptive and inferential statistics and norm thematic evaluation were used to carry out the analysis of the data collected. Data was analyzed using regression, spearman rank order and chi-square test of independence. The findings of the study are useful to other scholars, the government and other stakeholders in their persuit to reduce accidents in Kenya. Keywords: Road traffic accidents, mitigation measure

Ultrastructural studies of acrosomal formation in the testis of male greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Purpose: In furthering the understanding of the process of spermatogenesis in the greater cane rat, this study describes the ultrastructural spermiogenic transformation and acrosomal formation in the testes of this hystricomorphic rodent that is currently undergoing domestication in parts of West Africa. Materials and Methods: Testicular samples were obtained from ten sexually mature cane rats that were perfused-fixed using Karnovsky\u27s fixative (phosphate buffered 2% paraformaldehyde – 2.5% glutaraldehyde fixative at pH 7.4). The samples were processed for ultrastructural analysis and examined under the transmission electron microscope. Results: The testes of the cane rat showed uniqueness in its cellular associations and the ultrastructure of the spermatogenic cells especially in the formation of the acrosome. The spermatid differentiation and acrosomal formation occurred in 12 steps with the first three steps being the Golgi phase and the next three steps making up the cap phase. While the three steps that follow constitute the acrosomal phase, the last 3 steps make up the maturation phase. At the cap and acrosomal phases, the entire acrosomal system comprising the vesicle and granule covers the head of the spermatids with no clear indentation of the nuclear surface by the formed acrosome. Furthermore, elongated spermatids at the maturation phase contained abundance of nuclear vacuoles. Conclusion: This work has not only provided information that will further the understanding of spermatogenesis but also aid the understanding of acrosomal reaction in the reproduction of the greater cane rat

School Location as a Predictor of Achievement in Reading among Nigerian Learners of English as a Second Language

This study determined whether school location was a predictor of English as a second language learners’ achievement in reading when taught with synthetic phonics using the non-equivalent, non-randomized control group quasi-experimental design. The population of the study comprised 1844 primary one school pupils in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. Out of this population, a sample of 66 pupils from urban location and 52 from rural location was drawn using multi stage sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was Initial Reading Achievement Test (IRAT) which was designed by the researcher. Mean, Standard Deviations and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyse the generated data. The results of the study revealed that school location significantly influenced pupils’ achievement in reading. It also showed that there was significant interaction effect of teaching method and location on pupils’ achievement in reading. It was concluded that in addition to teaching method, school location proved to be a predictor of pupils’ achievement in reading. Hence, it was recommended that pupils from different school locations should be exposed sufficiently to equal literacy-enriched environment to bridge the gap in achievement among learners from urban and rural school environments. Keywords: School location, literacy-enriched environment, achievement in reading, interaction effect, Initial Reading Achievement Test, synthetic phonic

Modern contraceptives discontinuation, method switching and associated factors among clients at the family planning clinic of a tertiary hospital in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Contraceptive discontinuation and switching to less effective methods, often leads to unintended pregnancies and reduces the impact of family planning programs. To understand what drives contraceptive use behavior, it is important to identify factors that influence discontinuation and switching. This study sought to determine the discontinuation rates, reasons for discontinuation or switching, and assess associated factors among women in Port Harcourt.Methods: A retrospective descriptive study, of women 15-48 years who accepted a modern method, over a five-year period from 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2018 was carried out. Information on age, parity, education, contraceptive use intention, method and duration of use, reason for discontinuation, and method switching, were extracted from their hospital records. Coded data were entered into Excel spreadsheet and exported to SPSS version 20 for statistical analysis at significance level of P<0.05.Results: There were 349 women with complete data. Their mean age was 32±56 years and median parity was 3. The all-method discontinuation rate was 29.0% at 12 months and 31.5% by 24 months. Method specific discontinuation at 12 months were injectables 53.3%, IUCD 38.2% and implants 23.8%, the difference was significant P=0.018. Reasons for discontinuation were reduced need-64.5%, method problems-26.8% and expiration-7.2%. Majority 79.7% abandoned further use, 6.5% renewed their method and 13.8% switched to other methods.Conclusions: The discontinuation rate was high, with associated poor switching behaviour. Proper counseling on contraceptive options and reinforcing switching are critical to reduce unwanted pregnancies that might result from poor method use and discontinuation

Astrocyte morphology, heterogeneity, and density in the developing African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus)

Astrocyte morphologies and heterogeneity were described in male African giant rats (AGR; Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) across three age groups (five neonates, five juveniles, and five adults) using Silver impregnation method and immunohistochemistry against glial fibrillary acidic protein. Immunopositive cell signaling, cell size and population were least in neonates, followed by adults and juveniles, respectively. In neonates, astrocyte processes were mostly detected within the glia limitans of the mid and hind brain; their cell bodies measuring 32 ± 4.8 μm in diameter against 91 ± 5.4 μm and 75 ± 1.9 μm in juveniles and adults, respectively. Astrocyte heterogeneity in juvenile and adult groups revealed eight subtypes to include fibrous astrocytes chiefly in the corpus callosum and brain stem, protoplasmic astrocytes in the cortex and dentate gyrus (DG); radial glia were found along the olfactory bulb (OB) and subventricular zone (SVZ); velate astrocytes were mainly found in the cerebellum and hippocampus; marginal astrocytes close to the pia mater; Bergmann glia in the molecular layer of the cerebellum; perivascular and periventricular astrocytes in the cortex and third ventricle, respectively. Cell counts from twelve anatomical regions of the brain were significantly higher in juveniles than in adults (p ≤ 0.01) using unpaired student t-test in the cerebral cortex, pia, corpus callosum, rostral migratory stream, DG, and cerebellum. Highest astrocyte count was found in the DG, while the least count was in the brain stem and sub cortex. Astrocytes along the periventricular layer of the OB are believed to be part of the radial glia system that transport newly formed cells towards the hippocampus and play roles in neurogenesis migration and homeostasis in the AGR. Therefore, astrocyte heterogeneity was examined across age groups in the AGR to determine whether age influences astrocytes population in different regions of the AGR brain and discuss possible functional roles

Geotechnical and Geochemical Properties of Lateritic Profile on Migmatite-Gneiss along Ogbomosho-Ilorin Highway, Southwestern Nigeria

Lateritic soils are very important in the construction industries and activities as construction material and foundation support for engineering structures in the tropical regions. This research tends to focus on the influence of position of horizon within the laterite soil profile and the resultant geotechnical and geochemical properties of soils developed over migmatite gneiss rock and also examine their suitability as construction and /or foundation material. A total of twenty three (23) soil samples and two rock samples were obtained from 8 different locations along Ogbomosho – Ilorin Highway, Southwestern Nigeria and considered under this study. The area is underlain by Basement Complex rock and migmatite gneiss is the most widely spread rock type. The laboratory test carried out includes specific gravity, grain size analysis, Atterberg limits (liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index and linear shrinkage), Standard proctor test, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and Shear test. Geochemical analysis for major oxides and thin sectioning of rocks for petrological analysis was also carried out. The oxides are SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, K2O, Na2O, TiO2, CaO and MnO while SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 constitute about 70-80 % of the soils chemical composition. Petrology reveal strongly foliated rock that composed of mafic mineral such as biotite, hornblende, and felsic mineral consisting of quartz and feldspar. Quartz, biotite and feldspar constitute about 77% of the minerals with quartz having 40% of the total mineral composition. The position of the horizon within the soil profile was found to have varying influence on the plasticity, moisture density relationship, CBR, and shear strength. This study showed that the influence of the parent rock on engineering properties and the position of the horizon within the lateritic profile determine the engineering properties and behaviour of residual soils. Keywords: Assessment, Laterite Soil, Migmatite-gneiss, Ogbomosho-Ilorin Highway, Southwestern Nigeri

Non-puerperal uterine inversion due to huge submucosal uterine myoma: a case report

Uterine inversion is a rare clinical entity with challenging diagnosis and management. Reports of successfully managed cases contribute to knowledge and aid future management of cases among practitioners. We report a case of a 46 year old para-3 with protrusion of a mass from her vagina and vaginal bleeding of 7 days duration. She was managed as a case of chronic uterine inversion. She was resuscitated and had vaginal myomectomy, Haultin’s procedure and subsequently total abdominal hysterectomy due to ischaemic necrosis of parts of the uterus.