Application of Morphometric and Stereological Techniques on Analysis and Modelling of the Avian Lung

For a long time, biology was a qualitative (descriptive) science. The investigations failed to fully explicate the functional designs of whole organisms and their constituent parts. About half a century ago, at an interdisciplinary meeting which was held in Feldberg (Germany), the International Society of Stereology (ISS) was formed. Mathematicians, statisticians and physical and biological scientists combined their skills to create a new scientific discipline of stereology that allowed for reliable and reproducible quantitation of structural entities of composite physical and biological materials and extrapolation of measurements made on two‐dimensional profiles/images to their three‐dimensional forms. With time, novel bias‐free sampling and quantitation techniques have been developed and tested. Presently, there is no justification for totally descriptive biological studies. Numerous books, publications, computer programmes and applications and dedicated microscopes exist for cost‐effective analysis. Within the relatively short time, it has been in existence, the ISS has actively advanced stereology which is now applied by scientists all over the world in various biological disciplines. Only basic understanding of mathematics, geometry and statistics is needed to do good stereology. Here, analysis of the avian (bird) lung is given to show the versatility and robustness of stereological techniques in analysing biological structures

Activity of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on selected bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.) landraces and breeding lines

Bambara groundnut, an indigenous African legume crop, is cultivated as a subsistence crop by resource poor farmers. In storage, yield losses are compounded through damage by insect pests, with Callosobruchus maculatus, being a leading one. The development of a variety with minimum susceptibility to this insect is thus desirable for the improvement of this nutritious crop. The study was carried out to determine the susceptibility of three bambara groundnut breeding lines (SSD5, SSD8, SSD9) and three landraces (Uniswa red, AS17, OM1) to attack by the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus and their germination success after damage. 20g of seeds of each variety, replicated four times, were used in the experiment. Physical characteristics of the seeds were noted and each replicate was infested with five pairs of C. maculatus and kept in a breeding chamber at 30°C. After an oviposition period of 7 days, the adult pairs were removed and number of eggs laid was counted. Subsequently, the developmental pattern of the insects, the amount of damage caused by the insects as well as susceptibility of the seeds to the insect were determined. The breeding lines were significantly larger and heavier than the landraces (p<0.05). The number of C. maculatus eggs laid were significantly different between the treatments (p=0.0012), with SSD8 and OM1 having significantly higher numbers laid. While % adult emergence was lower in SSD5, this was not significantly different between the varieties (p=0.1416). The susceptibility index was significantly different between varieties (p=0.0192) as well as between landraces and breeding lines (p=0.0255). On average, the landraces had higher SI (17.928 ± 2.4523) than the breeding lines (13.448 ± 5.9939). Germination success of damaged seeds was significantly higher in the landraces than the breeding lines (48.333 ± 18.007%). Results indicated that SSD5, SSD9 and AS17 were the most resistant to C. maculatus attack, while SSD8 and OM1 were the most susceptible. However, due to reduced germination success after damage, the breeding lines (SSD5 and SSD9) were not suitable for planting after storage while the landrace (AS17) was the most suitable due to its higher viability after C. maculatus damage.The results indicate that there is variability in resistance of the bambara groundnut varieties against the cowpea weevil. The use of resistant varieties could offer the simplest and cheapest way of improving bambara groundnuts production, especially if these maintain their viability after insect damage. The variability also emphasises the need for the maintenance of genetic diversity when selecting for desired traits. Keywords: C. maculatus, Vigna subterranea, bambara groundnut, susceptibility, landraces, breeding line

The Influence of Employee Empowerment on Competitive Advantage in Hospitals within Nairobi, Kenya

Background: The study examined the influence of implementation of employee empowerment on competitive advantage in hospitals within Nairobi. The study looked at the following aspects of employee empowerment; competence, teamwork, motivation, reward and recognition. Employee empowerment is derived from the Total Quality Management (TQM) principles bringing forth competitive advantage that results from high customer satisfaction levels, employee satisfaction and operations efficiency.Methods: A descriptive correlational research design that applied positivism philosophy. Data was collected from both private and public hospitals within Nairobi targeting patients who were admitted in these hospitals for more than three days during the study period and senior employees of the respective hospitals. There were 308 participants, 154 hospital employees and 154 patients from 31 hospitals within Nairobi. After institutional and individual consent was obtained, participants filled a self-administered questionnaire. The collected data was coded into SPSS Version 23 software and the analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The findings illustrated that employee empowerment significantly predicted competitive advantage. High responsiveness and good attitude, being reliable, empathy and assuring the patients of their state best enhance patients’ and employee satisfaction.Conclusion: This brings out the importance of realigning the staff inputs towards improving patient experiences, as well as considering employees’ performance as individual instead of considering them as teams

Effect of AVR and PSS on Power System Transient Stability with Different Wind Generation Technologies

In the last decade, wind generation has been the fastest growing energy source globally. However, higher penetration of wind energy into existing power networks raises concern for power system operators and regulators. In this paper, we investigate the effect of wind farms employing doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) on the transient stability of power systems. We carried out simulations to demonstrate and compare the transient performance of the standard 3-machine 9-bus system with and without wind power integration during a fault. We analyzed the generator technology mentioned, replacing one synchronous generator in the system. We also analyzed the mentioned system after introducing the automatic voltage regulators (AVR) and power system stabilizers (PSS) into the system. We simulated the system using DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Our results show that a better transient performance is achieved with the inclusion of DFIGs in the system. There is also a further improvement of the transient stability after including both the AVR and PSS in the simulations. Keywords: Squirrel cage induction generators, Doubly-fed induction generators, Transient stability, Automatic Voltage Regulator, Power System Stabilizer

Molecular and serological evidence of flea-associated typhus group and spotted fever group rickettsial infections in Madagascar

This research was supported by the Wellcome Trust (RCDF and Senior Fellowship to ST, #081705 and #095171), the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, and the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System, a Division of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center [847705.82000.25GB.A0074].Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Effect of Internal Control Systems on Financial Performance of Public Universities in Kenya

Most public Universities across the world have reported suboptimal financial performance compared to private universities. The poor financial performance can be attributed to financial management practices. The sound financial management practices require the institutions to have robust internal control systems. However, there are limited empirical research findings regarding the relationship between the internal control systems and financial performance in public universities in Kenya. The general objective of the study was to establish the effect of internal control systems on financial performance of public universities in Kenya. The study specific objective was to investigate the effect of detective controls on the financial performance of public universities in Kenya. The study was anchored on agency theory, stewardship theory, systems theory and attribution theory. The study adopted a causal research design. The target population of respondents were the deputy vice chancellors finance, registrar finance and administration, ICT personnel, finance officers and internal auditors in the 37 public universities in Kenya. The target population was 185 respondents. The study worked with a sample of 34 public universities through stratified random sampling, and the other three were used for pilot testing. Primary data was collected from sample population using semi-structured questionnaires. Secondary data was collected through evaluation of reports, organizational journals, publications and review of information from the organizations website. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). All the questionnaires received were referenced and items in the questionnaire coded to facilitate data entry. After data cleaning which entailed checking for errors in entry, descriptive statistics and frequencies were estimated for all the variables and information presented inform of tables, graphs and pie charts. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used because they enabled the researcher to meaningfully describe distribution of scores or measurements using a few indices. Inferential data analysis was done using Pearson Correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Regression analysis was conducted to empirically determine whether detective controls were significant in determining the financial performance of public universities in Kenya.  Regression results indicated the goodness of fit for the regression between detective controls and financial performance was strong. From the regression model, detective controls and financial performance to a constant zero, financial performance would be 3.132. It was established that a unit increase in detective controls would cause an improvement in financial performance by a factor of 0.237. This clearly showed that there was a positive relationship between detective controls and financial performance. P-value was less than 0.05, which showed that variables covered in the study on detective controls were statistically significant to influence financial performance. The study concluded that detective controls had a positive and significant influence on the financial performance of public universities in Kenya. Keywords: Internal control Systems, Detective Controls, Financial Performance DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/12-16-09 Publication date:August 31st 202

A Five Year Review OF API20E Bacteria Identification System’s Performance at a Teaching Hospital

Objectives: To assess the performance of the API20E bacteria  identification system at a teaching hospital in Kenya.Design: Retrospective study.Setting: The microbiology laboratoryoratory of the Aga Khan University teaching Hospital.Subjects: One thousand six hundred and fifty eight API20E records.Main outcome measures: The accuracy in identifying the bacteria species.Results: One thousand four hundred and forty two (87.6%) isolates had the exact identity, 199 (12%) nearest identity, and seven (0.4%) no identity. The performance varied among the species; Acinetobacter baumanii had 140 (99.3%) isolates with the exact identity and only one (0.7%) with the nearest identity compared with Aeromonas hydrophila which had five (17.2%) with exact and 24 (82.8%) with nearest.Conclusions: The API20E system is a robust bacteria identification method which can serve small and medium clinical microbiology laboratoryoratories that may not afford automated systems. Adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions and good laboratoryoratory practice can improve the  performance of this method

The Occurrence of Cereal Aphids in Rainfed Wheat in Kenya: The Problem and Possible Integrated Pest Management Strategies

Cereal aphids cause direct damage to rainfed wheat through sucking of plants sap and cause losses of up to 90%, particularly in dry years in Kenya. The Russian wheat aphid (RWA) is the most destructive and may account for up to 50% yield loss or more depending on the severity and length of infestation. Current control strategies mainly rely on the use of insecticides to control cereal aphids’ infestations. Chemicals improve yields in the short term, but adversely affect the environment, hence the need for development of effective IPM strategies. Early planted crops escape heavy aphid attacks and give good yields. A combination of seed rate of 100 kg and 100 kg N/ha provided the best cultural management of RWA. Ladybird beetles Adonia variegata, lacewings (Chrysoppa spp.) and parasitic wasp Aphidius sp. were the most important natural enemies. Control of cereal aphids can be achieved with systemic insecticides applied as seed dressings or foliar applied insecticides. Four lines of wheat were found to show RWA resistance and crosses with Kenyan wheat made and populations are being evaluated for resistance to cereal aphids

UTILIZATION OF VISUAL AND REALIA INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN ENHANCING ACQUISITION OF PRE-READING SKILLS AMONG PRESCHOOL LEARNERS IN NAROK COUNTY, KENYA

Early childhood education, also referred to as preschool education is essential to children’s social, physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. Learning can be made more effective when the teachers have the right instructional materials. The study was guided by the following research questions: how were visual instructional materials utilized in teaching pre-reading skills among preschool children? and how were realia instructional materials utilized in the teaching of pre-reading skills among preschool learners? The study adopted a descriptive survey design and data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observation schedules. The findings of the study revealed that visual instructional materials for teaching pre-reading skills were available but not adequate in most of the schools, hence affecting the effective teaching of pre-reading skills among the learners. The study further established that most preschools lacked adequate realia materials for teaching pre-reading skills. It was concluded that Preschool teachers should attend relevant workshops, seminars, vocational and teacher professional development courses, to acquire pedagogical skills, besides effective utilization of Visual and Realia instructional materials in teaching pre-reading skills to preschool learners. Emphasis should be on pedagogical content knowledge.  Article visualizations

INFLUENCE OF PERCEIVED VALUE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONSUMER NATIONAL ETHNOCENTRISM AND WILLINGNESS TO BUY COMMERCIAL BANKING SERVICES IN KENYA

International marketing researchers have concentrated on establishing the influence of consumer national ethnocentrism on willingness to buy domestic products/services as opposed to foreign products/services. The purpose of this paper was to determine the mediating role of consumer perceived value on the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism and the willingness to buy banking services in Kenya. A descriptive research design which was cross sectional in nature was used in the study. Data were gathered from 374 University Staff and Students in Kenya. Data analysis was done using binary logit regression. As a multi faceted construct, consumer national ethnocentrism was found to have a negative influence on the willingness to buy banking services from foreign owned banks. These related well with other previous literature. The relationship was however mediated by several factors. Consumer perceived value was found to have a partial mediation. Findings of the study implies that foreign investors in the banking industry should have pertinent localization strategies incorporated in their broad corporate strategies to guide them not only in repositioning their products in the domestic markets but also in adapting their operations so as to enhance domestic consumption