Exploring the importance of critical thinking in creating capabilities for self-reliance in international community development: A Kenyan context

Self-reliance as a component of development agendas is often relegated to the background if mentioned at all. This thesis explores the value of self-reliance in meaningful progress, as well as the conditions which enable self-reliance, paying particular attention to the role of critical thinking in that process. It investigates individual and collective use of local knowledge in formulating strategies for progressive community development in collaboration with international agencies. By drawing attention to the practical aspects of development interventions, the challenges can be observed from an equality, justice and inclusion perspective. The thesis works with the frameworks of Amartya Sen’s and Martha Nussbaum’s human development and capabilities approach calling attention to the value of freedom in development and the capabilities to do and to be. It adopts a critical theoretical approach from an emancipatory perspective and argues that a useful way to consider self-reliance may be Immanuel Kant’s perspective on Enlightenment as emergence from self-imposed inability to use one’s own knowledge. This approach emphasises the value in acknowledging the views of those the process is meant to support. By approaching the issues through Freirean dialogue and participatory methods, that address concerns of power relationships, the thesis provides a ‘space to speak’ for the community groups. This is facilitated by the use of the creative engagement tool ‘Ketso’. This thesis argues that meaningful progress is inclusive and that it should pay attention to mutual processes of knowledge production. The findings highlight the role of lifelong learning as a mediating process where knowledge is exchanged and where reciprocation takes place in a way that respects other people’s values and interests

Negotiating and Mediating Peace in Africa

Last year, a law review solicited my thoughts about, in their words, pushing the envelope with social justice and negotiating peace in a world dominated by power and violence. Taking their language literally, one must ask how to effectively address contemporary obstacles to ensure that the message and, most importantly, the means of justice are truly delivered to those in need. One answer-which may seem obvious to readers but is actually much too rare in practice-is to work with, empower, and support the conflict work of the community members themselves. This article introduces the plans of five African professionals, demonstrating their skill and leadership as members of diasporas and domestic circles. All five African professionals are intent on serving their communities through offering the best of conflict resolution practice, including integrative bargaining and restorative victim-offender mediation

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

Long-Term Follow-Up After Unilateral Intravitreal Gene Therapy for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: The RESTORE Study

Background: RESCUE and REVERSE were 2 Phase 3 clinical trials that assessed the efficacy and safety of intravitreal gene therapy with lenadogene nolparvovec (rAAV2/2-ND4) for the treatment of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). RESTORE is the long-term follow-up study of subjects treated in the RESCUE and REVERSE trials. Methods: In RESCUE and REVERSE, 76 subjects with LHON because of the m.11778 G>A mutation in the mitochondrial gene ND4 received a single unilateral intravitreal injection of lenadogene nolparvovec. After 96 weeks, 61 subjects were enrolled in the long-term follow-up study RESTORE. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was assessed over a period of up to 52 months after onset of vision loss. A locally estimated scatterplot smoothing regression model was used to analyze changes in BCVA over time. Vision-related quality of life was reported using the visual function questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25). Results: The population of MT-ND4 subjects enrolled in RESTORE was representative of the combined cohorts of RESCUE and REVERSE for mean age (35.1 years) and gender distribution (79% males). There was a progressive and sustained improvement of BCVA up to 52 months after the onset of vision loss. The final mean BCVA was 1.26 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution 48 months after the onset of vision loss. The mean VFQ-25 composite score increased by 7 points compared with baseline. Conclusion: The treatment effect of lenadogene nolparvovec on BCVA and vision-related quality of life observed 96 weeks (2 years) after treatment in RESCUE and REVERSE was sustained at 3 years in RESTORE, with a maximum follow-up of 52 months (4.3 years) after the onset of vision loss

Biological nitrogen fixation

There is a shift in continental attitude as exemplified in the reaction to the disputed Ivory Coast elections.Between Laurent Gbagbo, backed by the people of the South and the military, and Alassane Outtarra, supported by the North and the United Nations peacekeeping force, it is Outtarra who has external recognition. The African Union, AU, recognises Outtarra, and most importantly, wants to oust Gbagbo by force.This, in the name of good governance and democracy in Africa, indicates an orientation shift.“Good Governance” and “Democracy” serve as moral excuses for invading other countries. The United States annexed Mexican territories in the name of spreading “democracy.”It frequently invaded Latin American states either to stop what Theodore Roosevelt termed “chronic wrong doing” or, as Woodrow Wilson put it, to teach those countries how to elect “good men.” In 2003, George Bush and Tony Blair invaded Iraq to liberate the Iraqis from Saddam Hussein. In West Africa, Nigeria is the dominant power in the same way that the United States dominates the Western Hemisphere. Occasionally, it appears to be in competition for regional influence with Ghana. In colonial days and through the personality of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana was initially dominant but Nigeria took the lead after independence, despite its numerous coups and upheavals. With its oil wealth and large population, it became the colossus of West Africa and, behaving just like the Americans, is prone to invasions because it considers the region to be its backyard. With international encouragement, it is willing to lead the invasion to oust Gbagbo in Ivory Coast.Nigeria, however, suffers from a serious credibility gap. Its moral capital is as depleted as that of the United States after invading Ira

Essentials Of Nitrogen Fixation Biotechnology

The CEO is one important organizational resource that sets the path for the firm’s strategic direction. The general objective of the study was to establish the effects of chief executive officers leadership style and performance of state corporations in Kenya. The study was carried out in Nairobi and Mombasa where the CEO’s and management staff of the 11 state corporations were based. The research study used descriptive research design and the target population constituted477 management staff and CEOs’ of the nine state corporations. However, only 153 formed the sample size which represented 30% of the total population. The CEOs’, heads of departments and middle level management formed the key respondents of the research study. The study employed a structured questionnaire to collect data. A pilot test was carried out to test the reliability of the instrument. A total of 15 questionnaires were used for this purpose. Data collected was analyzed using Social Science Statistical Package (SSPS).Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Reliability was also tested using Cronbachs alpha and all the variables meet the threshold for subsequent analysis. Factor analysis was also employed to test for validity where the questions that didn’t meet the threshold were dropped not to be considered for subsequent analysis. Correlation analysis indicated that the independent variables had a positive and significant relationship with organizational performance of state corporations. Regression analysis was used also to test the nature of the relationship. Leadership style leading explained 70% of the variation in performance of state corporations. The study therefore concluded that leadership style had a prominent effect on the performance of state corporations in Kenya

PHOSPHORUS FRACTIONS AND ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AS INFLUENCED BY FOREST CONVERSION IN CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF KENYA

Background: Forest conversion to other land use types lead to changes in soil physico-chemical properties and a reduction in soil fertility. Although forest conversion is extensively recognized to alter soil properties, the influence on distribution of soil phosphorus (P) fractions and abundance and diversity of soil biota is not well explored. Objective: To assess the effects of converting undisturbed natural forest to plantation forest (cypress), grazed pastures and potato fields on soil phosphorus (P) fractions and abundance and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Methodology: Transects laid out in triplicate were established in each land use type. In potato fields and grazed pastures, transects measured 50 m with three sampling points established 15 m apart along each transect, each point measuring 1 m² divided into 25 grids with each grid being 400 cm². Transect length was increased to 150 m in forest sites due to relatively larger size of the area studied and sampling points were placed at 50 m apart, each point measuring 25 m² and divided into 1² m grids. Soil and plant samples were randomly collected from sampling points and were used to determine chemical properties, soil P fractions and AMF spore examination. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Soil chemical properties were significantly (p<0.001) higher in natural forest compared to potato fields, grazed pasture and cypress forest. On the contrary, readily labile and moderately labile P was higher in fields cultivated with potato (125.3 mg and 258.2 mg P kg-1, respectively) than in natural forest (51.1 mg and 95.3 mg P kg-1) and cypress forest (36.4 mg and 82.7 mg P kg-1, respectively). However, non-labile P was higher in natural forest (599.1 mg P kg-1) and lower in cypress forest (251.3 mg kg-1). Of the ten AMF genera identified, only Glomus and Acaulospora were significantly (p<0.01) affected by land use change, where they were more abundant in fields cultivated with potato than the other three land use types. Land use type did not significantly influence diversity and richness in AMF. However, AMF composition varied across the land use types. Implication: Land use change may negatively affect soil chemical properties, enhance redistribution of soil P, and change AMF community composition, and this could have long-term implications on soil fertility. Conclusion: Land use change from natural ecosystems to croplands, grazed pastures and tree plantations alter soil chemical properties, AMF composition and spore abundance, and redistribute soil P fractions by increasing labile P and reducing non-labile P fractions showing that the type of land use chosen significantly influence soil physical and chemical properties and soil biodiversity

Spatio-temporal change of selected soil physico-chemical properties in grevillea-banana agroforestry systems

In Africa, banana is mainly produced by smallscale farmers under complex production systems for both home consumption and income generation. Low soil fertility continually constraints its production and farmers are embarking on emerging technologies such as improved fallow, cover crops, integrated soil fertility management, agroforestry with fast growing tree species to address this challenge. This study aims at assessing the sustainability of grevillea-banana agroforestry systems by investigating the variability in their soil physico-chemical properties. Soil samples were collected in banana sole stands, Grevillea robusta sole stands and grevillea-banana intercrops in three agro-ecological zones during the dry and rainy seasons. Soil physico-chemical properties significantly differed among agroecological zones, cropping systems and between seasons. Soil moisture, total organic carbon (TOC), P, N, Mg decreased from the highland to the lowland zone, through the midland zone whereas soil pH, K and Ca showed the opposite trend. Soil bulk density, moisture, TOC, NH4+-N, K and Mg were significantly higher in the dry season compared to the rainy season but total N was higher in the rainy season. Intercropping banana with grevillea trees significantly decreased soil bulk density, TOC, K, Mg, Ca and P. Soils under banana sole stands accumulated higher potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus with a higher soil bulk density and pH compared to grevillea-banana intercrops and grevillea sole stands. This suggests that intercropping banana and grevillea trees increases the competition for these nutrients and requires careful attention for the optimization of their interactive benefits