Examining the Theoretical and Empirical Significance of the Universal Law of Gravity

This paper presents a refined formulation of the universal law of gravity, addressing its limitations and exploring the interdisciplinary relationship between physics and philosophy. The classical gravitational equation

Usage of Specialized Fence-Gaps in a Black Rhinoceros Conservancy in Kenya

Fencing is increasingly used in wildlife conservation. Keeping wildlife segregated from local communities, while permitting wildlife access to the greater landscape matrix is a complex task. We investigated the effectiveness of specially designed fence-gaps on animal movement at a Kenyan rhinoceros conservancy, using camera-traps over a four-year period. The fence-gap design restricted the movement of black (Diceris bicornis) and white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) but permitted the movement of other species. We documented over 6000 crossing events of over 50 000 individuals which used the fence-gaps to enter or leave the conservancy. We recorded 37 mammal species and two species of bird using the fence-gaps. We conclude that this fence-gap design is effective at restricting rhinoceros movement and at permitting other wildlife movement into and out of the conservancy. We recommend that fenced-in rhinoceros conservancies that desire enhanced connectivity consider this fence-gap design to help re-connect their reserves to the outside landscape matrix while continuing to provide enhanced protection for their rhinoceroses

Does Faculty Perceived ICT Abilities Influence Integration of Information and Communication Technologies in Instruction? A Case of University Early Childhood Education Programmes in Kenya

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based instruction provide opportunities whereby the teacher is a facilitator and learners are active participants. ICT has tended to make learners effectively connect theory and practice. For ICT to be successfully utilised in instruction teachers need to possess the prerequisite ICT abilities. This study aimed at evaluating integration of ICT in instruction in Early Childhood Education (ECE) programmes in universities in Kenya and how faculty perceived ICT abilities related to ICT integration in instruction. A sample of 88 lecturers purposely drawn from public and private universities that were ECE pioneers and offered ECE programmes formed the study subjects. Questionnaire, observation checklist and document analysis were used to collect data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were the methods of data analysis employed. Results from data analysed revealed that faculty were integrating basic ICT tools in instruction. It was also revealed that there was no significant difference in ICT integration in instruction by faculty in public and in private universities. The relationship between faculty perceived ICT abilities and ICT integration in instruction was highly significant at alpha value 0.05. It was recommended that there was need for university administration to organize in-service training for faculty to adequately learn how to integrate advanced ICT tools in instruction

Progress and future prospects in groundnut improvement to feed Africa in the face of technological advancements

Crop productivity is crucial in meeting food demands to feed the growing population in the face of endemic biotic and abiotic stresses. Technological advancement and its application to boost crop productivity would be a pathway towards ensuring food and nutrition security. Dryland legumes including groundnut are suitable in diversification of farming systems as insurance crops to ensure productivity. Crop improvement is one of the pillars towards enhancing productivity by delivering products and services based on demand articulation such as high yielding resilient varieties that are nutrient dense to address the global nutrition agenda. Recent advancements in molecular technology has made it possible to sequence the groundnut genome, develop genetic maps and identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for key traits of importance. These new developments need to be exploited to accelerate the design and development of quality products that fits within the African farming systems. The low genotyping cost has opened avenues for research centers in African countries to embrace the use of genomic selection tools in breeding. This should enhance efficiency in exploiting the wild genetic resource base, broadening the narrow genetic base of groundnut and fast tracking variety release. The use of molecular tools in breeding and wide hybridization techniques coupled with high throughput phenotyping is a new dawn to breeding programs and this would contribute significantly to food security and poverty alleviation in the long run. However, the success in the modernization of breeding for efficiency will be underpinned by pro-active engagement among different actors in the national, regional and international arena to leverage resources and expertise in the omics era for sustained outcomes. Healthy working partnerships are also key to the delivery and utilization of such technologies coupled with learning and feedback for product improvement

FACTORS AFFECTING SALES PERFORMANCE AMONG RETAIL BUSINESSES IN KENYA; A CASE OF TUSKER MATTRESSES LTD.

This research study aimed at factors affecting sales performance among retail businesses in Kenya: a case of Tusker Mattresses Ltd. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effects of promotion on sales performance in retail business, pricing, competition and to also establish the effects of customer loyalty. This study was significant to the organization’s management of Tuskys, future researchers and other retail Organizations. The study covered a population of 60 persons in the organization who formed the sample size. The researcher used descriptive research design. The findings from the study were presented on the table and chats for easy decoding and analyzing to present the results from the study. The findings on promotion indicated it affecting sales performance according to 87% of respondents and rated average on affecting sales performance. Pricing was determined at 82% of respondents on affecting sales performance and was low though sometimes average. Competition findings was determined to affect sales performance by 83% of the respondents and rated effectively fair. Then the findings on customer loyalty was determined by 73% of respondents and rated at low extent though sometimes average. The conclusion from the study postulated that promotion affects the sales performance among retail businesses and promotion affecting the performance of sales among retail businesses was an average extent. On pricing, the study indicated that pricing affects the sales performance among the retail businesses and that the extent at which performance of sales among retail business being affected by pricing was not clear since great extent and average extent were alternating therefore no specific position on this. On the effectiveness on how competition affecting sales performance among retail businesses, it was not so explicit on how effective it affects it. It was very evident that customer loyalty affects the sales performance of the retail business. The study recommended more to be explored on the factors that affect the sales performance among retail businesses in respect to promotion so as to assist business have clearer picture of how positive or negative sales performance is affected. The study should explore the ways in which pricing affects sales performance and the effects on the survival of retail business. The impact realized on how competition affecting sales performance should be determined so that the retail vi businesses can have a strategy on how to carb negatives ones and statically implement the positive ones for good productivity

Farmer empowerment in agriculture and its association with smallholder farm incomes in Kenya

Poverty in its various forms is widespread among smallholder farmers, including income poverty, rendering interventions that improve household income relevant. We employ a linear model on cross-sectional data collected from October to December 2015, with the preceding 12 months as the reference period. The data was from 835 smallholder farmers in Kenya to assess the effect of farmer empowerment in agriculture on farm income. This is a departure from numerous previous studies, which considered the intra-household empowerment of women relative to men on the assumption that men are empowered, which may not always be the case – as we show in this study. The results show that farmer empowerment in agriculture increases per capita farm incomes. Unlike male farmers, who benefit from the overall empowerment in agriculture, female farmers do not, possibly due to constraints in complementary drivers of farm income such as access to productive resources. Interestingly, improving the income domain for female farmers increases their farm incomes more than for their male counterparts. We conclude that farmer empowerment in agriculture is a necessary driver of farm incomes, with the production, leadership and income domains being the viable impact pathways. Thus, development interventions should target specific empowerment domains while controlling for sex differences among the target farmers

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping in Maize for Resistance to Larger Grain Borer

Storability of maize grain is constrained by the larger grain borer (LGB) (Prostephanus truncatus). Host plant resistance is the most feasible way to manage LGB among smallholder farmers. Breeding for resistance to this pest inmaize is dependent on understanding genetic mechanisms underlying the resistance. The objective of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with LGB resistance in tropical maize. A mapping populationof 203 F2:3 derived progenies was developed from a cross between susceptible and resistant inbred lines.The F2:3 progenies were crossed to a tester and testcrosses evaluated across six environments, followed by screening for resistance to LGB. Data was collected on husk cover tip length, and grain texture in the field. Biochemical traits were analyzed on the maize grain. Harvested grain was evaluated for resistance and data recorded on grain damage, weight loss, and several insects. Grain hardness was measured as a putative trait of resistance. Univariate analysis of variance for all the traits was done using the general linear model of the statistical analysis system.Genetic mapping was done using Joinmap 4, while QTL analysis was done using PLABQTL. The QTL for resistance were mapped to 6 out of the ten chromosomes. QTL for resistance traits were located in chromosomes 1, 5 and 9.Chromosome 1 had a common QTL linked to protein content, grain hardness, and husk cover tip length. Additive genetic effects were prevalent in all detected QTL. Overall, the studies show that breeding for resistance to LGB is possible