Anti-fertility properties of Cissus rotundifolia (Forssk.) Vahl. Extract using female Wistar rats

A third of the worldwide disease burden among women in their reproductive age ( 15-45 years) is associated with sexual and reproductive complications. The developing world experiences an unmet contraceptive demand that affects nearly 200 million women. The high rates of unintended pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa increase the prevalence of unsafe abortions in nations. The use of conventional steroids and non-steroid based contraceptives though effective is also linked to increasing side effects. The roots decoction of Cissus rotundifolia is used by women in Tana River County, Kenya as a fertility regulator. The study evaluated the phytochemical compounds present in the Cissus rotundifolia aqueous extract. It also evaluated the effect of the plant extract on oestrus cycle and other selected female reproductive parameters; mating success, fertility index, gestation length, and litter size using female Wistar rats. The phytochemical screening established the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and glycosides in the root aqueous extract of Cissus rotundifolia. The plant extract caused a dose-dependent significance increase in proestrus and metestrus phases and a significant reduction in estrus and diestrus phases (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in mating success. It caused a dose-dependent reduction in fertility index compared to the control. Gestation length was significantly increased and litter size significantly reduced (P<0.05).This probably is the reason for the traditional use of the plant as a fertility regulator. However, further work on reversibility, reproductive hormonal profile and ovarian histomorphology should be undertaken to improve the novel contraceptive pool.Â

Effectiveness of Information Systems on Automation of Business Processes for Nonprofit Organizations in Arusha City

The study examined the effectiveness of information systems on automation of business processes for nonprofit organizations in Arusha City. The study had two specific objectives namely; identify the existing information systems for automation of business processes for nonprofit organizations in Arusha City and to determine the extent to which information systems have improved automation of business processes for nonprofit organizations in Arusha City. The study used descriptive survey research design and quantitative research approach. A sample of 63 respondents was drawn from the population of 75. The study used simple random sampling technique where data were collected through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation was used to analyze the quantitative data. Findings indicated that there are many information systems but not all of them exist in non-profit organizations in the study area. It was further found that to high extent information systems have improved automation of business processes for nonprofit organizations due to improved supply chain, improved Human Resources management, improved planning and projections, improved sharing of organization data, improved customer service, improved customer relations and improved time management. The study recommends that to achieve their objectives, non-profit organizations should invest in information systems. This can be done through having adequate experts, adopt the sophisticated information systems and train the users of the adopted sophisticated information systems. Moreover, the study recommends that to ensure effectiveness of information systems on automation of business processes for nonprofit organizations; proper ICT infrastructure should be initiated to facilitate the implementation of information systems

Barriers to and opportunities for improving productivity and profitability of the Kiwere and Magozi irrigation schemes in Tanzania

Irrigation is a key strategy for food security and poverty alleviation among small farmers in Tanzania. However, the potential of irrigation to improve food security is limited by multiple barriers. This article discusses these barriers within the Kiwere and Magozi schemes. Results indicate that water supply barriers are caused by poor irrigation infrastructure and management. Lack of finance is also a critical barrier to increasing overall productivity. Finance affects farmers’ timely access to adequate supply of quality inputs and machinery and availability of transport to access inputs and profitable markets. There is evidence that these barriers have to be addressed holistically

Mineralogical and Physicomechanical Characterization of Kaolinitic Clay from Moshi, Northern Tanzania for Potential Ceramic Utilization

Kaolin clay from Moshi, northern Tanzania has been characterized for potential ceramics productions. Clay samples taken from three different levels of the deposit were analysed by XRD and XRF. Firing experiments were carried out on experimental briquettes at a maximum temperature of 1300 °C at the rate of 100 °C/hour. The results revealed dominance of kaolinite and illite in the raw clay. The samples were composed majorly by silica (36.88–41.62%), alumina (30.83–32.40%) and hematite (9.29–12.70%). Granulometric analysis showed that the amount of clay decreased with deposit depth. The physicomechanical properties of the clay fired at the optimal temperature of 1300 °C included shrinkage (22.06–30.72%), water absorption (18.23–20.15%), bulk density (1.834–2.182 g/cm3) and modulus of rupture (2.957–6.313 MPa). Mullite was the key component responsible for mechanical strength. Clay sample from the top level showed the best properties. The parameters were of satisfactory quality and comparable to other ceramically suitable clays. High levels of Fe2O3 (> 9%) could adversely affect the translucency of whitewares. These findings indicate that the investigated kaolin has potential of being used in the ceramic industry for making materials such as non-vitreous tiles, bricks and various high-temperature products that do not require high brightness specifications. Keywords: Clay mineralogy, firing temperature, microstructure characterization, ceramic properties, Tanzanian kaolin

A soil water and solute learning system for small-scale irrigators in Africa

Better yields of high-value crops are necessary for a profitable irrigation industry in sub-Saharan Africa. We introduced two simple tools, the Chameleon soil moisture sensor and the FullStop wetting front detector, which represent soil water, nitrate and salt levels in the soil by displaying different colours. These tools form the basis of an experiential learning system for small-scale irrigators. We found that farmers quickly learned from the tools and changed their management within a short time. The cost of implementing a learning system would be a small fraction of that of building or revitalizing irrigation schemes

Morphological and Molecular Identification of Pratylenchus goodeyi Associated with Banana in Tanzania

Banana (Musa sp. [L]) is an important staple food and cash crop for about 30 percent of the total population in Tanzania. Root lesion nematodes, particularly Pratylenchus goodeyi, are among the major pests affecting banana production in Tanzania. A combination of morphological and molecular approaches is required for accurate identification of nematodes. In this study, 80 P. goodeyi isolates affecting bananas in Tanzania were identified. Sequence analysis of part of the small subunit (SSU), large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) confirmed the morphological identification of P. goodeyi. DNA sequences were analysed using Geneious version 11.0 software and phylogenetic relationship was constructed using Bayesian inference (BI) method. Morphological identification shows that P. goodeyi in this study resembles P. goodeyi identified from other parts of the world and their sequences clustered closely (98.6 – 99.9 % similarity) with other P. goodeyi sequences in the GenBank. The results obtained from this study will provide an insight on the presence of harmful root lesion nematodes in Tanzanian bananas, contributing to further studies aimed at developing efficient nematode management strategies in Tanzania.Keywords: Genetic variation; Morphology; Musa sp.; Root lesion nematode;