Optimisation of spore production by the potential fungal biocontrol agent for aphids, Erynia Neoaphidis

A thesis submitted for the degree of Masters of Science by Research of the University of LutonThe optimisation of spore production by the potential fungal biological control agent for aphids, Erynia neoaphidis Remaudiere and Hennebert (Zygomycetes: Entomophthoraceae) was studied. The fungus was able to grow in semi-defined Frynia medium (SDEM) containing glucose, yeast extract, mycological peptone, and 0.02% oleic acid buffered to a pH 6. Oleic acid was fungicidal at 0.1 % (v/v) while 0.02% (v/v) oleic acid was the optimum for radial grovvth. Plugs cut 5-10 mm from the margin ofa colony produced more conidia than plugs cut 13-20 mm from the colony margin. Renewed grovvth continued through two subcultures on solid SDEM lacking yeast extract (SDEML YE), and SDEM lacking mycological peptone (SDEMLMP). The continued growth was attributed to the carry over of nutrient in the inoculum. Growth was supported on SDEMNH4S04 when ammonium sulphate was used as the nitrogen source instead of mycological peptone suggesting that the fungus could obtain the growth factors it required from yeast extract. When chitin was added to SDEM in insoluble powder form instead ofglucose (SDEMC 1 & SDEMC2), the absence of a clearing zone around the developing colony suggested that chitin was not metabolised by E. neoaphidis. Biomass grown on SEMA and on SDEMDG (containing double the original concentration ofglucose 3 2grl), resulted in production of fewer conidia oflarger volume compared to SDEMDMP containing double and half the original concentration of mycological peptone (SDEMHP), SDEM containing halfthe original concentration ofglucose (SDEMHG). Increasing the glucose to double the original concentration resulted to an increase in biomass. Erynia neoaphidis grown on aphid cadavers produced many, smaller conidia. Mycelial mats harvested from biomass grown in fed-batch liquid fermenter culture in SDEMDG at the end ofthe exponential phase and placed on water agar discharged conidia at a rate of 6,700 conidia mm -2 h-1which persisted for approximately 3 days. When E. neoaphidis was subcultured onto SDEM from SEMA medium, the colony growth rate increased on the second subculture on SDEM where more lipases and aminopeptidases were detected at higher concentrations using the API ZYM system. This shows that attenuation might have taken place by either a phenotypic or genotypic (eg mutation) change or both when E. neoaphidis was grown on SDEM from SEMA medium. Growth in GASP medium resulted in the production of more biomass and a delay in the onset of decline phase compared to cultures grown in SDEM. Fewer enzymes were detected at a lower concentration in cultures grown in GASP compared to cultures grown in SDEM, this difference might be more likely to relate to the balance of nutrients and the fact that GASP medium is more similar in composition to the nutrients found in the haemocoel of an aphid. Based on this research. It is recommend that E. neoaphidis be grown in SDEM liquid cultures containing 32 grl glucose instead of 16 grl glucose. Biomass for field applications should be harvested at the end ofthe exponential growth and mycelial mats made. The mycelial mats should be maintained at high relative humidity and can be expected to discharge conidia for 3 days

"Food System Mapping in Kanyanya (Kampala)" - Workshop Report.

Food value chains are part of the systemic drivers of urban food and nutrition security. An important part of these value chains are the various informal small actors. These include producers, transporters, processors and retailers. One of the main objectives of the NOURICITY project is to initiate and to implement partnership agreements between different local, national and international stakeholders to improve the urban food system. Therefore, we conducted a workshop as indicated by Work Package 1 of the NOURICITY project. This workshop aims to map the stakeholders of the food system in Kampala and to map the food flows in one of the parishes in Kampala. The parish selected was Kanyanya (Kawempe division). The workshop consisted of two days with two groups of people: the first day for parish representatives and the second day for Kampala and national representatives

The Mediating Effect of Stakeholder Commitment in the Relationship between Stakeholder Participation and Project Sustainability

This study examines the mediation effect of Stakeholder Commitment in the Relationship between Stakeholder Participation and Project Sustainability. A self administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 86 NGOs in Uganda. Data was analyzed using Baron and Kenny’s Approach to mediation (1986). Results revealed that Stakeholder Participation is a significant predictor of the Project Sustainability. This can be seen from the Beta value which was significant, showing a significant model (Beta = .619, p<.01). Results also revealed that the Stakeholder Participation is a significant predictor of Stakeholder Commitment and therefore the two are practically related variables (Beta = .464, p<.01). Results also show that Stakeholder Commitment is a predictor of project sustainability and therefore the two are statically significant with a Beta Value of (Beta = .569, p<.01). Overall, multiple regression model is significant with a Beta value of .457**. However, there was a significant decrease in the beta value from .619** to .457** when we introduced Stakeholder Commitment. This study provides empirical evidence from health projects to the effect that Stakeholder Commitment plays partial mediation role on the relationship between Stakeholder participation and project sustainability. Keywords: Stakeholder participation, Stakeholder commitment, Project sustainability

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards evidence based practice::A survey amongst radiographers

Introduction: It is increasingly becoming a requirement for radiographers to use the concept of Evidence Based Practice (EBP) to inform their clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the use of EBP as well as to establish factors that influence the use of EBP amongst radiographers in Uganda. Methods: A total of 83 respondents participated in a cross-sectional survey conducted amongst qualified radiographers licensed to practice in Uganda. Data was collected using a self-reporting questionnaire that was accessed through the Bristol Online Survey Software. Using SPSS version 21, descriptive and inferential statistics were generated. Results: The study revealed that 47 (57%) and 36 (43%) respondents scored themselves as having high and low knowledge of EBP respectively. However, 52 (63%) respondents scored themselves as having a negative attitude towards EBP. As regards use of EBP, 49 (59%) out of 83 respondents reported use of EBP in clinical practice. Using binary logistic regression, a significant association was found between a high knowledge level and the use of EBP (Adjusted OR, 95% CI: 9.89: 3.54–27.64). Conclusion: Overall, majority of the respondents had high knowledge levels about EBP. However, a high proportion of them were found to have a negative attitude towards EBP. High knowledge levels of EBP were strongly associated with use of EBP in practice. This finding provides helpful insights for policy makers to consider a holistic approach towards improving the use of EBP among radiographers through devising interventions that strengthen both knowledge and attitude towards EBP.</p

Examining the Relationship between Project Managers' Ethical Orientation and Project Performance: The Case of NAADS Projects in Uganda

In capitalistic and poverty stricken countries like Uganda, the Ethical Orientation of Project Managers is fast becoming an issue of paramount concern as Program sponsors and project beneficiaries seek for strategies to attain and sustain effectiveness and efficiency in project performance. This is because those with access to the project resources in such countries tend to satisfy their selfish interests with the limited project resources. This research work examines the relationship between Ethical Orientation of Project Managers and Project Performance on National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) projects in Uganda. The study adopted a cross sectional quantitative survey research approach. This was because of a relatively large sample involved in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis methods. Findings indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between Ethical Orientation of Project Managers and Project Performance. The study thus provides scientific evidence to the fact that Ethical Orientation of Project Managers significantly influences the performance of developmental Projects like NAADS. If unchecked, this single factor can lead to collapse of running projects. Keywords: Ethical Orientation, Project Managers, Project Performance, Project Management, NAAD

Experiences related to making healthy physical activity lifestyle choices during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study in a Teesside-based adult BAME population

Studies indicated that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of adult Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) individuals lived a sedentary lifestyle, which exacerbated their physical inactivity behaviours during the COVID-19 subsequent lockdowns. Experiences related tomaking healthy physical activity (PA) lifestyle choices in adult BAME individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic were mapped onto the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B model). Twelve adult BAME participants were interviewed using one-on one, semi-structured interviews that lasted 45–60min, which captured participant perceptions of PA engagement during the pandemic between April and August 2022 via Microsoft Teams. Using thematic analysis, three themes were generated and successfully mapped onto themodified COM-B model. These include the influence of culture on the PA lifestyle, the capability to engage in the PA lifestyle, and the self-reflective determination model. Although existing literature has used both the COM-B and the self-determination models, these havebeen generalised findings that are not representative of adult BAME individuals’ lived PA participation experiences. This enabled the modification of the COM-B and self-reflective determination models to reflect the experiences of adult BAME individuals with respect to PAparticipation as well as improving PA culturally related policies

Physical activity perceptions and experiences of BAME Teesside University students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

The study sought to explore the barriers and facilitators for making physical activity lifestyle choices among Black Asian Ethnic Minority (BAME) students at Teesside University during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative approach was used to capture the in-depth physical activity experiences of BAME individuals. There is a paucity of primary qualitative studies focusing on BAME individuals’ activity lifestyles prior to and during the COVID-19 lockdowns between April and August 2020. BAME individuals faced exacerbated physical, psychological, social, and institutional barriers which are mapped onto the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B). Twelve BAME participants were interviewed via Microsoft Teams using semi-structured interviews lasting 45 to 60minutes. Using thematic analysis, we identified seven themes; the two primary ones were barriers and facilitators to being active and were successfully mapped onto the modified COM-B. Although existing literature has used the COM-B, these were primary quantitative findings that did not enable an in-depth exploration of BAME individuals lived experiences of physical activity participation during COVID-19. Thus, the COM-B model was modified to reflect this research’ qualitative approach, through which improved policies and implementation strategies may be applied specifically to BAME individuals