Chemical Assessment and Antimicrobial Activity of Solvent Extracts from Kalanchoe densiflora

ABSTRACT Kalanchoe densiflora leaves were sequentially extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone and methanol. The solvents were evaporated through rotor evaporation under vacuum to yield five extracts. The extracts were then subjected to chemical and photochemical analyses to identify the components present and their functional groups. In addition the extracts were tested for antimicrobial activities against eight micro-organisms; Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extracts were found to posses' tannins, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. It was also found that unsaturated bonds, carboxyl groups and aldehydes were present in the extracts. In addition, the extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus spp, E. coli and P. aeruginosa as indicated by presence of zones of inhibition. Acetonic and methanolic extracts were sensitive to P. aeruginosa, Bacillus spp. and S. aureus while hexane extract was highly sensitive to E.coli. K. densiflora extracts was found to have broad antimicrobial effect since it was active against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Crude extracts from K. densiflora can be used in control of diseases such as; acute enteritis, pneumonias and opportunistic diseases amongst other diseases caused by these microorganisms

Open innovation in SMEs a bibliometric literature review using VOSviewer

Purpose – The focus of this study is to evaluate the features of open innovation using data accessed from the Scopus online database. We are looking at two keywords: open innovation and SMEs. Design/methodology/approach – The study measured a bibliometric analysis of 1,214 articles from 157 journals during 2007-2020. Findings: The findings showed that the publication trend on open innovation kept increasing. The most cited article was Open Innovation in SMEs: Trends, Motives, and Management Challenges by Van de Vrande with 1,107 citations, followed by Lee et al. with 699 citations. The publication journal with the highest citation was Technovation and Research Policy. The United Kingdom and Italy were in the top-ranking countries for publications on this topic. The document citation category showed that Belgium ranked the highest with 1,990, followed by the Netherland with 1,212. Research limitation/implications: This study provides a literature search on open innovation and has several limitations that require future study recognition. These limitations include that databases are limited to sources originating from one database only in data collection and data synthesis. Practical implications: The practical implications provide benefits about open innovation, which can help SMEs understand open innovation and apply it as their preferred strategy in developing business. This study also allows SMEs owners and managers to understand open innovation as a strategic choice to consider as the concept is a part of the strategic intervention for their business. Originality/value: This study provides the most influential contribution and impact on the research interest of open innovation that develops from various fields, including leading researchers and their home countries. Second, a co-citation analysis addressed the second question in this research study.</jats:p

Taking the HIGHWAY to Save Lives on Lake Victoria

Abstract Up to 1,000 drowning deaths occur every year on Lake Victoria in East Africa. Nocturnal thunderstorms are one of the main culprits for the high winds and waves that cause fishing boats to capsize. The High Impact Weather Lake System (HIGHWAY) project was established to develop an Early Warning System for Lake Victoria. Prior to HIGHWAY, weather forecasts for the lake were overly general and not trusted. Under the HIGHWAY project, forecasters from weather service offices in East Africa worked with leaders of fishing communities and Beach Management Units to develop marine forecasts and hazardous-weather warnings that were meaningful to fishermen and other stakeholders. Forecasters used high-resolution satellite, radar, and lightning observations collected during a HIGHWAY field campaign, along with guidance from numerical weather prediction models and a 4.4-km resolution Tropical Africa model, to produce specific forecasts and warnings for 10 zones over the lake. Forecasts were communicated to thousands of people by radio broadcasters, local intermediaries, and via smartphones using the WhatsApp application. Fishermen, ferry-boat operators, and lakeside communities used the new marine forecasts to plan their daytime and nighttime activities on the lake. A socioeconomic benefits study conducted by HIGHWAY found that ∼75% of the people are now using the forecasts to decide if and when to travel on the lake. Significantly, a 30% reduction in drowning fatalities on the lake is likely to have occurred, which, when combined with the reduction in other weather-related losses, generates estimated socioeconomic benefits of $44 million per year due to the HIGHWAY project activities; the new marine forecasts and warnings are helping to save lives and property.</jats:p