Taka Company Strategic Change & Implementation Measures on Bata Company

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have been an important element of corporate strategy to building and growing businesses. M&A offer firms an opportunity to leverage existing capabilities and increase market share. The study of M&A varies as the performance of targeted companies continues to draw attention given the high collapse rate of most M&A. This study looks at the measures undertaken by management in managing expectations and charting a way forward for the acquired company and sustaining the growth and development. It is critical that an organization employ a well-defined integration and implementation strategy for any acquired businesses. The study of Taka’s company strategic integration and implementation of Bata’s company was researched utilizing documentation review, interviews and surveys. The performance of Taka’s acquisition of Bata Company was analyzed by studying its financial performance but most importantly the effectiveness of harnessing the human factor. M&A do not only involve acquiring capital asset but also the most commonly overlooked human factor. For any M&A, strategy to succeed management’s ability to harness the synergies of both companies is vital. For the synergies to be exploited management has to integrate and implement policies that assimilate the cultures of both companies, which rest with the personnel. A sound strategy alone that overlooks the human factor is not enough, as employee resistance and rebellion will subvert any prospects of success. This study looks at the adjustments of the employees of the acquired Bata Company. It looks at how the strategic changes implemented affect them in discharging their duties. Critical to succeeding an M&A strategy is effective communication. When done effectively, it cast aside any aspersions of mistrust and doubt in management. The better communicated the employees are the less time they spent speculating on future direction of the company

Effects of Sand Harvesting on Environment and Educational Outcomes in Public Primary Schools in Kathiani Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sand harvesting on environment and educational outcomes in public primary schools in Kathiani Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya. This study was premised on treadmill theory of production proposed by Schnaiberg (1980). The study adopted a survey design.  Combinations of purposive and stratified random sampling was utilized in selecting 10 headteachers,10 class teachers, 80 pupils, 2 local administration officer and 2 education officer yielding a sample size of 104 to participate in the study . Data collection instruments were questionnaires and interview guides. The findings of the study were that sand harvesting had a profound negative impact on the environment ranging from destruction of water sources to soil erosion, and destruction of the infrastructure. Public primary schools in Kathiani District were also recording declining education standards in terms of low enrolment retention rates resulting in low academic outcomes in schools in the study locale. It was recommended that the devolved County Government of Machakos County and other stakeholder should regulate sand harvesting activities in order to minimise negative impact on the environment, educational outcomes and overall internal efficiency of schools in areas where the activities are conducted.[197  words] . Key Words: Effects ,  Sand Harvesting ,  Environment ,  Educational  Outcomes,  Public Primary Schools ,  Kathiani Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya

Modelling Effects of Process Variables During Fermentation of Pineapple Peels Using Yeast for Ethanol Production Using a Second Order Optimal Rotatable Design in Four Dimensions.

The need for a cleaner environment in urban areas and the high cost of petroleum products which are becoming scarce due to unbalanced relation between supply and demand besides air pollution of sources has led to the research for other fuels to replace fossil fuels. Ethanol from biomass waste is such an alternative to petroleum products. Most studies on optimization of process variables using Response Surface Methodology apply Central Composite Designs yet other designs exist. Optimal designs have fewer trials employed with the aim of obtaining efficient designs for fitting reduced quadratic or higher order models. Coded values of a second order optimal rotatable design in four dimensions constructed using balanced incomplete block designs (BIBD) was fit into experimental data in order to study the effects of four process variables namely; time, PH, temperature and substrate concentration on fermentation of pineapples peels using Saccharomyces cerevisiae for ethanol production. Normal probability plots and Multiple R-squared of 0.9323 and Adjusted R-squared of 0.8944 which measure model fitting reliability indicated aptness of the model. Most values of Probability F were less than 0.05, confirming that the model terms were significant and only 6.8% of the total variation could not be explained by the model ensuring good adjustment of the model to experimental data. Model adequacy was also confirmed by the good agreement between the experimental data and predicted values. The design was found reliable in modeling, and studying the effects of the four factors to the processes of fermentation of pineapples peels as substrate for ethanol production using Saccharomyces cerevisiae Keywords: Ethanol, Pineapple Peels, Response Surface Methodology and Rotatable Designs

The Optimization of Maize yield Production Using Simplex Lattice Design for Third Degree Mixture Model

This study involved mixture experiment for fertilizer components in maize crop production. Researchers in agriculture have conducted research on maize plants with different levels of single fertilizers with a view of obtaining an appropriate amount for optimal yield. However, studies based on fertilizer blending are not very common. This has left farmers with no option other than to continue applying fertilizer in random proportions that may not guarantee the optimal yield with respect to fertilizer components available. The objectives was to determine appropriate statistical models expressing the maize yield as response variable and to evaluate optimal sets of mixture of fertilizer components that could maximize the response variables of interest. Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Poultry manure (guano), Sheep manure, and Farmyard manure were the four independent variables to optimize the response value of the maize yield. Mixture experiments entail the blending of these components to determine if synergism exists in the mixture or blends of these fertilizer components. The statistical model formulated for the maize yield demonstrates the effects of each component and the interaction with other components displaying the trend of the response parameter. From the model, it can be concluded that farmyard manure and poultry manure have greater effect on the production of maize yield and hence, this study conclusively attained the optimal conditions of 6.67 tons ha-1of farmyard manure mixed with 1.3467 tons ha-1 of poultry manure. Under these conditions, the farmer achieves maximum output of 12.17 tons ha-1 of maize yield. The study upholds that mixture experiments are appropriate in modeling agricultural production involving various independent parameters that produces synergetic effect on the output parameter. KEY WORDS: Maize yield; Fertilizer; Model; Mixture experiment; Simplex Lattice Design. DOI: 10.7176/MTM/9-7-07 Publication date: July 31st 201

Application of Simplex Lattice Design in Maize Fodder Production

This study involved mixture experiment using simplex lattice design approach in cultivation of Maize crop with the view of optimizing the fertilizer components (dependent variables) on the output parameter (maize fodder). The objective of this study was to evaluate optimal sets of mixture of fertilizer components that could maximize the response variables of interest. Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Poultry manure, Sheep manure, and Farmyard manure components mixed in various proportions in accordance with simplex lattice design were applied in planting hybrid maize seeds. With the application of the special cubic statistical model formulated, it was found that farmyard manure and poultry manure produced the optimal fertilizer condition. However, the this study further provided specific optimal fertilizer blend for maize fodder production as 8.0 tons ha-1of farmyard manure mixed with 1.212 tons ha-1 of poultry manure. Under these conditions, a maximum outputs 42 tons ha-1 of maize fodder were realized. The study concluded that the formulation of statistical model for crop production could be useful for prediction and evaluation of the effects of experimental factors. KEY WORDS: Maize fodder; Fertilizer components; Model; Mixture experiment; Simplex Lattice Design; DOI: 10.7176/MTM/9-7-05 Publication date: July 31st 2019

Imunização subcutânea na infecção do camundongo pela Leishmania major: eficácia dos promastigotos mortos pela formalina combinada com adjuvantes

Promastigotos mortos pela formalina (FKP) de Leishmania major combinados com Montanide ISA 720 (MISA), BCG ou alumen foram usados na vacinação de modelo murino cutâneo de leishmaniose (CL). Aumento significante e específico de resposta IgG anti FKP foram detectados tanto no FKP com alumen como naquele com BCG comparados ao MISA-FKP (p < 0,001). Aumento significante da proliferação esplênica de linfócitos de memória foi obtida nos camundongos vacinados com MISA-FKP quando comparados aos grupos vacinados com alumen-FKP ou BCG-FKP (p < 0,01). As maiores respostas por interferon-gama foram observadas no grupo BCG-FKP seguido pelo MISA-FKP enquanto que o alumen-FKP deu a menor resposta. No grupo MISA-FKP foram obtidas reduções significantes do tamanho das lesões quando comparado aos grupos vacinados com BCG/adjuvante de alumen-FKP. Embora o grupo BCG-FKP tenha mostrado a maior resposta por interferon-gama, não houve controle das lesões cutâneas. Redução significante no número de parasitas foi observada tanto no grupo vacinado com MISA-FKP como no BCG-FKP (p < 0,001). Houve boa correlação entre a carga parasitária e o nível de interferon-gama indicando que a resposta do interferon-gama é parâmetro sensível do estado imunológico. Em conclusão, MISA-FKP é a forma mais eficaz de vacina contra a leishmaniose cutânea murina.Formalin-killed promastigotes (FKP) of Leishmania major, in combination with Montanide ISA 720 (MISA), BCG or alum were used in vaccination of an inbred murine model against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Significant and specific increases in anti-FKP IgG responses were detected for both alum-FKP and BCG-FKP compared to MISA-FKP (p < 0.001). Significant increases in splenic lymphocyte recall proliferation was obtained in the MISA-FKP vaccinated mice compared to alum-FKP or BCG-FKP vaccinated groups (p < 0.01). The highest interferon-&#947; responses were observed in the BCG-FKP group followed by the MISA-FKP while the alum-FKP gave the least responses. Significantly reduced lesion sizes were obtained in the MISA-FKP group compared to the BCG/alum adjuvants-FKP vaccinated groups. Although the BCG-FKP group showed the highest IFN-&#947; responses, it failed to control cutaneous lesions. Significant reductions in parasite numbers were observed in the MISA-FKP and BCG-FKP vaccinated groups (p < 0.001). There was a good correlation between parasite burden and IFN-&#947; level indicating IFN-&#947; response as a sensitive parameter of the immune status. In conclusion, MISA-FKP is the most efficacious vaccine formulation against murine cutaneous leishmaniasis

Segurança e reação de hipersensibilidade tardia na pele de macacos vervet imunizados com antígeno sonicado de Leishmania donovani junto com adjuvantes

In this study, we report on the safety and skin delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), responses of the Leishmania donovani whole cell sonicate antigen delivered in conjunction with alum-BCG (AlBCG), Montanide ISA 720 (MISA) or Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) in groups of vervet monkeys. Following three intradermal injections of the inoculums on days 0, 28 and 42, safety and DTH responses were assessed. Preliminary tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-&#945;) and interferon gamma (IFN-&#947;) levels were also measured and these were compared with DTH. Only those animals immunized with alum-BCG reacted adversely to the inoculum by producing ulcerative erythematous skin indurations. Non-parametric analysis of variance followed by a post-test showed significantly higher DTH responses in the MISA+Ag group compared with other immunized groups (p < 0.001). The MPLA+Ag group indicated significantly lower DTH responses to the sonicate antigen compared with the AlBCG+Ag group. There was a significant correlation between the DTH and cytokine responses (p < 0.0001). Based on this study we conclude that Leishmania donovani sonicate antigen containing MISA 720 is safe and is associated with a strong DTH reaction following immunization.Neste estudo reportamos segurança e resposta de hipersensibilidade tardia (DTH) do antígeno sonicado de células totais de Leishmania donovani introduzidos juntamente com alume-BCG (AIBCG) Montanide ISA 720 (MISA) ou lípide A monofosforilado (MPLA) em grupos de macacos vervet. Depois de três injeções intradérmicas do inóculo nos dias 0, 28 e 42 segurança e resposta DTH foram avaliados. Preliminarmente níveis de fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-&#945;) e interferon gama (IFN-&#947;) foram também medidos e comparados com o DTH. Somente os animais imunizados com alume-BCG reagiram de maneira diversa ao inóculo produzindo indurações ulceradas e eritematosas na pele. Análise não paramétrica de variação seguida por um teste posterior mostraram resposta significantemente mais alta do DTH no grupo MISA + Ag quando comparado com outros grupos imunizados (p < 0.001). O grupo MPLA + Ag demonstrou resposta DTH significantemente menor do antígeno sonicado comparado com o grupo AIBCG + Ag. Houve correlação significante entre o DTH e a resposta às citocinas (p < 0.0001). Baseados neste estudo concluímos que o antígeno sonicado de Leishmania donovani contendo MISA 720 é seguro e está associado com forte reação DTH após imunização

Estudo in vitro e in vivo da eficácia anti leishmaniótica de terapêutica combinada de Diminazene e Artesunate contra Leishmania donovani em camundongos Balb/c

The in vitro and in vivo activity of diminazene (Dim), artesunate (Art) and combination of Dim and Art (Dim-Art) against Leishmania donovani was compared to reference drug; amphotericin B. IC50 of Dim-Art was found to be 2.28 ± 0.24 µg/mL while those of Dim and Art were 9.16 ± 0.3 µg/mL and 4.64 ± 0.48 µg/mL respectively. The IC50 for Amphot B was 0.16 ± 0.32 µg/mL against stationary-phase promastigotes. In vivo evaluation in the L. donovani BALB/c mice model indicated that treatments with the combined drug therapy at doses of 12.5 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days significantly (p < 0.001) reduced parasite burden in the spleen as compared to the single drug treatments given at the same dosages. Although parasite burden was slightly lower (p < 0.05) in the Amphot B group than in the Dim-Art treatment group, the present study demonstrates the positive advantage and the potential use of the combined therapy of Dim-Art over the constituent drugs, Dim or Art when used alone. Further evaluation is recommended to determine the most efficacious combination ratio of the two compounds.A atividade in vitro e in vivo de Diminazene (Dim), Artezunate (Art) e a combinação Dim e Art (Dim-Art) contra Leishmania donovani foi comparada com a droga de referência Anfotericina B. IC50 da Dim-Art foi 2,28 ± 0,24 µg/mL enquanto aquelas de Dim e Art foram 9,16 ± 0,3 µg/mL e 4,64 ± 0,48 µg/mL respectivamente. O IC50 da Anfotericina B foi 0,16 ± 0,32 µg/mL contra a fase estacionária de promastigotas. A avaliação in vivo do modelo de L. donovani em camundongos Balb/c indicou que os tratamentos com a terapêutica de drogas combinadas em doses de 12,5 mg/kg por 28 dias consecutivos significantemente (p < 0,001) reduziu a carga parasitária no baço quando comparada a tratamentos com uma única droga dada nas mesmas dosagens. Embora a carga parasitária tenha sido levemente mais baixa (p < 0.05) no grupo Anfotericina B quando comparada com o grupo tratado Dim-Art, o estudo presente demonstra a vantagem positiva do uso potencial da terapêutica combinada Dim-Art sobre drogas como Dim ou Art quando usadas isoladamente. Posterior avaliação é recomendada para determinar a média de combinação mais eficaz dos dois compostos

Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of Warburgia ugandensis, Prunus africana, and Piliostigma thonningii against Leishmania donovani in vitro and in Balb/c Mice

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Conventional chemotherapy remains to be the most preferred measure against leishmaniasis despite being associated with high toxicity and relapse rates. They are also expensive and require hospitalization. Plant-based compounds provide a better treatment alternative because they are effective, cheap, and less associated with toxicity and resistance. This study examined the therapeutic potential of Warburgia ugandensis, Prunus africana, and Piliostigma thonningii against Leishmania donovani infection in BALB/c mice. Anti-promastigote and toxicity studies were evaluated by incubating the test compound with promastigotes and Vero cells, respectively. Serum was obtained from the mice for total immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) quantification. For in vivo studies, the mice were infected with virulent Leishmania donovani then treated with methanolic extracts of Warburgia ugandensis, Prunus africana, and Piliostigma thonningii and control drug, pentostam (sodium stibogluconate). Treatment with the plant extracts and standard drug resulted to significant reduction in parasite burden. Outcomes in the mice treated with plant extracts were comparable to those treated with pentostam (P≥0.05). In the promastigote assay, all the test compounds killed more than half of the promastigotes at the highest concentration (500 µg/mL). Warburgia ugandensis, P. thonningii, and P. africana reduced the number of promastigotes from 2.0 × 106 to 7.7 × 103 , 72.0 × 103 , and 5.0 × 103 , respectively. Pentostam had the lowest IC50 (210 µg/mL), followed by Warburgia ugandensis (IC50 of 270 µg/mL). Piliostigma thonningii and P. africana were less toxic with IC50 of 720 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively. There was low production of IgG antibodies following treatment with the plant extracts and high levels in the untreated control

Vascular Thrombosis in Patients on Chronic Maintenance Haemodialysis Using Indwelling Venous Catheters: Case Reports and Literature Review

Vascular access is key in patients with end stage renal disease on maintenance haemodialysis. Thrombosis is a significant contributor of acces