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Irish Ai

EFFECTS OF OUTSOURCING ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE: A CASE OF THE KENYA JUDICIARY

Organizations have continuously pursued means to increase their competitive advantage over the competitors through outsourcing. The study therefore was purposed to establish the effects of outsourcing on organizational performance using Kenya Judiciary as a case study. Consequently, the study’s specific objectives were to determine the effect of quality control because of outsourcing on organizational performance, investigate the effect of cost efficiency due to outsourcing on organizational performance, find out how operational controls because of outsourcing affect organizational performance, and assess the extent to which risk management through outsourcing affects organizational performance at the Kenya Judiciary. The significance of the study is that it will help organizations engaged in the practice to assess the impact of outsourcing on their performance. The study will also help organizations to estimate the relative cost of outsourcing to their companies. Because of its design to answer questions concerned with what, why, who, how much or when, descriptive research design was considered the most ideal for the study. The population was 38 employees from the procurement function at the judiciary. The study used the whole population of 38. This is referred to as census and it is applicable where the population under study is relatively small and further sampling may not yield a representative figure. The use of qualitative research for this study ensured appropriate answers were identified in addressing the research question and clearing the understanding of the effects of outsourcing on organizational performance. Quality control, cost efficiency, operational control, risk management adaption and organization performance had a significant strong positive relationship. Based on the findings of this study the improvement of judiciary, practitioners and researchers is highly recommended. The organization can still concentrate on specific areas which are evolved from this study to make outsourced programme more effective. Outsourcing is advantageous to performance of an organization only if the attitudinal results offered in the study agree with outsourcing proponents’ claims that it allows expertise enhancement, service quality improvement, streamline processes, reduce cost and administration burden as well as time saving

Soybean farm-saved seed viability and vigor as influenced by agro-ecological conditions of Meru South Sub-County, Kenya

Objective: The experiment was conducted with the aim of assessing the soybean farm-saved seed viability and vigor as influenced by agro-ecological conditions of Meru South Sub-County, Kenya.Methodology and results: Within one month of harvest, soybean farm-saved-seed was randomly sampled from 30 households in February 2013 from areas representative of agro-ecological zones Upper Midlands II (Ann. Mean temp. (18.2-20.60C); Upper Midlands III (19.2-20.60C; Lower Midlands III (20.9-22.90C) and Lower Midlands IV (21-240C). Standard germination, electrical conductivity and moisture content tests were done according to ISTA rules (2007). Analysis of Variance was done using SAS (9.2) and means separated using LSD. Results revealed that seed moisture was lowest in the warmer LM4 (6.3%) than in the cooler LM3 (8%); UM3 (8.4%) and UM2 (10%). In addition, soybean seed from the cooler agro-ecologies - UM2 (94%), UM3 (86.6%) and LM3 (99.5%) had significantly higher germination than seed from the lower warmer LM4 (57%). Similarly, seed vigor was highest in the cooler UM2 (41.7 C/cm/g), UM3 (45.8C/cm/g) and LM3 (31.6C/cm/g) as shown by reduced seed leachates; indicative of better integrity of seed membranes than seed from the warmer LM4 (79.1C/cm/g). In addition, there was a strong negative correlation between electrical conductivity and germination, showing a faster deterioration due to leakage of electrolytes.Conclusions and applications of findings: The soybean farm-saved seed germination and vigor were significantly influenced by agro-ecological conditions. Considering that seed moisture content in the lower warmer agro-ecologies was significantly lower than those from higher cooler agro-ecologies the observed seed deterioration was attributable to the higher temperatures characteristic of lower altitudes agro-ecologies. Therefore, since the farm saved seed viability and vigor was better retained in the cooler higher agroecological zones (UM2, UM3 and LM3) of Meru South Sub-County, farmers should source better quality soybean seed from these areas. The results validate the need for ecological zoning of suitable areas for the production of high quality soybean seed in Kenya.Keywords: soybean farm-saved seed, agro-ecological zones, seed germination and vigo

A mixed-method approach to determining contact matrices in the Cox’s Bazar refugee settlement

Contact matrices are an important ingredient in age-structured epidemic models to inform the simulated spread of the disease between subgroups of the population. These matrices are generally derived using resource-intensive diary-based surveys and few exist in the Global South or tailored to vulnerable populations. In particular, no contact matrices exist for refugee settlements—locations under-served by epidemic models in general. In this paper, we present a novel, mixed-method approach for deriving contact matrices in populations, which combines a lightweight, rapidly deployable survey with an agent-based model of the population informed by census and behavioural data. We use this method to derive the first set of contact matrices for the Cox’s Bazar refugee settlement in Bangladesh. To validate our approach, we apply it to the UK population and compare our derived matrices with well-known contact matrices collected using traditional methods. Our findings demonstrate that our mixed-method approach successfully addresses some of the challenges faced by traditional and agent-based approaches to deriving contact matrices. It also shows potential for implementation in resource-constrained environments. This work therefore contributes to a broader aim of developing new methods and mechanisms of data collection for modelling disease spread in refugee and internally displaced person (IDP) settlements and better serving these vulnerable communities

Regional coral responses to climate disturbances and warming is predicted by multivariate stress model and not temperature threshold metrics

Oceanic environmental variables derived from satellites are increasingly being used to predict ecosystem states and climate impacts. Despite the concerted efforts to develop metrics and the urgency to inform policy, management plans, and actions, few metrics have been empirically tested with field data for testing their predictive ability, refinement, and eventual implementation as predictive tools. In this study, the abilities of three variations of a thermal threshold index and a multivariate stress model (MSM) were used to predict coral cover and community susceptibility to bleaching based on a compilation of field data from Indian Ocean reefs across the strong thermal anomaly of 1998. Field data included the relative abundance of coral taxa 10\ua0years before the large-scale temperature anomaly, 2\ua0years after (1999–2000), and during the post-bleaching recovery period (2001–2005) were tested against 1) a multivariate model based on 11 environmental variables used to predict stress or environmental exposure (MSM), 2) estimates of the time until the current mean maximum temperature becomes the mean summer condition (TtT), 3) the Cumulative Thermal Stress (CTS) for the full satellite record, and 4) the 1998 Annual Thermal Stress (1998 ATS). The MSM showed significant fit with the post-1998 cover and susceptibility of the coral community taxa (r = 0.50 and 0.31, respectively). Temperature threshold indices were highly variable and had relatively weak or no significant relationships with coral cover and susceptibility. The ecosystem response of coral reefs to climatic and other disturbances is more complex than predicted by models based largely on temperature anomalies and thresholds only. This implies heterogeneous environmental causes and responses to climate disturbances and warming and predictive models should consider a more comprehensive multiple parameter approach

Malignant Small Round Cell Tumor: A Rare Aggressive Malignancy-Case Report

Background: Malignant Small round Cell Tumor (MSRCT) is very rare group of tumors. Malignant cells have similar histologic appearance making it difficult to distinguish one from another, and poses a diagnostic challenge with needs for a multimodal approach. Immunohistochemistry and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry, reverse transcriptase polymer chain reaction (RT-PCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization are needed to confirm. The appropriate and best treatment in early stages of MSRCT is early surgical excision with chemoradiotherapy based on patient specification. Inspite of all these, tumors have poor prognosis and chance of recurrence are high. Method: Case study of a 27-year-old male who presented with a non-productive cough for 4 weeks, with feverish feeling with weight loss and shortness of breath and a new onset precordial chest pain non radiating and worse on exertion. On examination his vitals were: BP 121/91 mm of hg, pulse rate 114bpm, temperature 36.3 degrees Celsius, respiratory rate 24/per min, SPO2 96%.On examination, Elevated Jugular Venous Pressure, hyperactive precordium, displaced apex beat to 6th intercostal space anterior axillary line, muffled heart sounds and bilateral lower limb edema. Respiratory exam was unremarkable. Sputum gene expert was negative for mycobacterium tuberculosis and covid 19 rapid test was negative. Chest X Ray showed cardiomegaly and a transthoracic echocardiography revealed moderate-large pericardial effusion, with mild collapse of right atrium in diastole. Pericardiocentesis done showed hemorrhagic effusion with lymphocytes cell component, patient was initiated on treatment for TB pericarditis empirically. Three months later a chest CT scan done revealed extensive mediastinal/pericardial mass with lung nodules. An ultrasound guided mediastinal/Pericardial biopsy was done, revealed a poorly differentiated small round cell carcinoma. Results: Patient expired 14 weeks from the initial onset of symptoms while awaiting immunohistochemistry studies for specific diagnosis of the tumor and oncology review. Discussion: This demonstrates the complexity of establishing differential diagnosis of MSRCT in a resource limited setting with subsequent delay in treatment initiation, heralds poor prognosis. This also confirms difficulties in establishing differential diagnosis in poorly differentiated tumor

Isolation and propagation of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense from sleeping sickness patients in south Sudan

This study aimed at isolating Trypanosoma brucei gambiense from human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) patients from south Sudan. Fifty HAT patients identified during active screening surveys were recruited, most of whom (49/50) were in second-stage disease. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples collected from the patients were cryopreserved using Triladyl® as the cryomedium. The samples were stored at −150 °C in liquid nitrogen vapour in a dry shipper. Eighteen patient stabilates could be propagated in immunosuppressed Mastomys natalensis and/or SCID mice. Parasitaemia was highest in SCID mice. Further subpassages in M. natalensis increased the virulence of the trypanosomes and all 18 isolates recovered from M. natalensis or SCID mice became infective to other immunosuppressed mouse breeds. A comparison of immunosuppressed M. natalensis and Swiss White, C57/BL and BALB/c mice demonstrated that all rodent breeds were susceptible after the second subpassage and developed a parasitaemia >106/ml by Day 5 post infection. The highest parasitaemias were achieved in C57/BL and BALB/c mice. These results indicate that propagation of T. b. gambiense isolates after initial isolation in immunosuppressed M. natalensis or SCID mice can be done in a range of immunosuppressed rodent

Seroprevalence of HBV among people living with HIV in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Background: Co-infection of HBV with HIV is associated with significant morbidity and mortality globally. In spite of increasing reports of HIV/HBV co-morbidities in Nigeria, little or no data exists on this subject in Anyigba. Therefore,we determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenemia among HIV positive patients on anti-retroviral treatment programme in Anyigba, Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria.Methods: Sera samples obtained from 200 consented HIV patients were screened for HBsAg using the commercial rapid test membrane-based qualitative immunoassay. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on patients’ demographic variables and probable risk factors for HBV transmission.Results: Overall, 3.5% of HIV patients were seropositive to HBsAg and the difference between seroprevalence rates and patients’ age as well as gender was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was significant difference between patients’ demographicvariables such as marital status (p=0.013) and educational level (p=0.004) and HBsAg seropositivity. Patients with a history of surgical applications (p=0.01) and who indulged in alcoholism (p=0.03) significantly had higher rates of concomitant HIV/HBV infection in the study area.Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of routine screening for HBV in the HIV infected populations especially in developing countries where the infection is endemic. We advocate for public enlightenment programmes on routes of virus acquisitions with a view to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated HIV/HBV co-infection.Keywords: HBV, HIV, co-infection, risk factors, Nigeria

Genetic diversity of Kenyan Prosopis populations based on random amplified polymorphic DNA markers

Several Prosopis species and provenances were introduced in Kenya, either as a single event or repeatedly. To date, naturally established Prosopis populations are described as pure species depending on site, despite the aforementioned introduction of several species within some sites. To determine whether naturally established stands consist of a single or mixture of species, six populations from Bamburi, Bura, Isiolo, Marigat, Taveta and Turkwel were compared for relatedness with reference to Prosopis chilensis, Prosopis juliflora and Prosopis pallida using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers. Cluster analysis based on Nei’s genetic distance clustered Kenyan populations as follows: Marigat, Bura and Isiolo with P. juliflora, Bamburi with P. pallida and Taveta with P. chilensis, whereas the Turkwel population is likely to be a hybrid between P. chileneis and P. juliflora. Four populations had private markers, revealing germplasm uniqueness. Expected heterozygosity tended to be larger for Kenyan populations (ranging from 0.091 to 0.191) than in the three reference (ranging from 0.065 to 0.144). For the six Kenyan populations and two P. juliflora provenances from the Middle East, molecular variation was larger within populations than between population. Higher molecular variance among populations is attributed to their geographical separation and the low variation within populations is due to gene flow between individuals within a population. Overall, this study shows that (1) the Kenyan Prosopis populations are genetically isolated, (2) multiple introductions enhanced genetic diversity within sites and (3) P. juliflora and its hybrid are the most aggressive invaders.Key words: Prosopis chilensis, Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis pallida, multiple introductions, genetic diversity

Environmental controls of billfish species in the Indian Ocean and implications for their management and conservation

Abstract Background and aim Billfish are epipelagic marine predators facing increasing pressures such as overfishing and rising global temperatures. Overfishing is a major concern, as they are caught by industrial longline fishers targeting tuna. Billfish are targeted by multiple fishing sectors, which provides food, socio-economic and cultural benefits. To support effective billfish management and conservation, it is essential to understand their spatial distribution and the environmental factors that may influence it. Location The focus of this study is the Indian Ocean (IO), where there are gaps in understanding the interactions between fisheries and billfish distribution. Three of six billfish species are at risk from overfishing. Therefore, determining their distribution is crucial to their management and conservation. Methods Using Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) occurrence data, Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) catch data, and environmental covariates, we applied species distribution models to investigate the spatial extent of the realized niches of six billfish species in the IO. We also determined the role and relative importance of environmental drivers. Moreover, we evaluated the association between species’ spatial distribution and the fishing effort distribution. Results We found niche partitioning and overlap among the six species identified spatial distribution, with higher species richness in the northern region of the IO and off the East coast of Africa. Temperature, mixed layer depth and salinity were identified as the most important predictors of species distribution, with moderately warm and stable environments preferred by most billfish species. Areas with high species richness and high fishing effort overlap were primarily found in the Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). In contrast, areas with high species diversity richness and low fishing effort were found mainly in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Main conclusion Spatial overlap between fishing effort and billfish projected distribution suggests inadvertent fishing pressure on billfish populations as they are caught together with targeted tuna. Spatial distribution transcends maritime zones, reinforcing a need to formulate effective management policies for marine areas beyond national jurisdictions