Eucharistic Communion in a Time of Pandemic: Insights From \u3ci\u3eUbuntu\u3c/i\u3e in an Extended African Family

The eucharistic celebration is central to the Catholic faith. Deprivation of it impacts the faith of the people. Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are one instance in which the faith of the majority of Christians was adversely affected. This thesis postulates that such impacts arose due to an inadequate understanding of the Eucharist. By narrowing on the experience of the people of Rodi-Kopany in Kenya, the thesis proposes that understanding of Eucharistic communion, informed by the lived experience of ubuntu in the extended African family, will be helpful towards the appropriation of the theology of the Eucharist and thereby reduce the impact on faith in the face of such calamities. Deprivation touches on the question of justice and oppression. The majority of those greatly affected are the poor and marginalized. The thesis thus uses the method of Liberation theology in the spirit of “See, Judge, Act” in catholic social teaching by applying the principles of socio-analytic mediation, hermeneutic mediation, and practical mediation as espoused by Clodovis Boff. In light of the three principles, the thesis moves into the challenges faced by people in the mentioned area, the theology of Eucharistic celebration and its implications on the people, and provides a way forward. The thesis forms part of a continuous dialogue in the theology of the Eucharist, Liberation, and inculturation

Micronutrient deficiencies in African soils and the human nutritional nexus: opportunities with staple crops

A synthesis of available agronomic datasets and peer-reviewed scientific literature was conducted to: (1) assess the status of micronutrients in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) arable soils, (2) improve the understanding of the relations between soil quality/management and crop nutritional quality and (3) evaluate the potential profitability of application of secondary and micronutrients to key food crops in SSA, namely maize (Zea mays L.), beans (Phaseolus spp. and Vicia faba L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). We found that there is evidence of widespread but varying micronutrient deficiencies in SSA arable soils and that simultaneous deficiencies of multiple elements (co-occurrence) are prevalent. Zinc (Zn) predominates the list of micronutrients that are deficient in SSA arable soils. Boron (B), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo) and copper (Cu) deficiencies are also common. Micronutrient fertilization/agronomic biofortification increases micronutrient concentrations in edible plant organs, and it was profitable to apply fertilizers containing micronutrient elements in 60–80% of the cases. However, both the plant nutritional quality and profit had large variations. Possible causes of this variation may be differences in crop species and cultivars, fertilizer type and application methods, climate and initial soil conditions, and soil chemistry effects on nutrient availability for crop uptake. Therefore, micronutrient use efficiency can be improved by adapting the rates and types of fertilizers to site-specific soil and management conditions. To make region-wide nutritional changes using agronomic biofortification, major policy interventions are needed

Soil health and ecosystem services: Lessons from sub-Sahara Africa (SSA)

Management practices to improve soil health influence several ecosystem services including regulation of water flows, changes in soil biodiversity and greenhouse gases that are important at local, regional and global levels. Unfortunately, the primary focus in soil health management over the years has been increasing crop productivity and to some extent the associated economics and use efficiencies of inputs. There are now efforts to study the inter-relationship of associated ecosystem effects of soil health management considering that sustainable intensification cannot occur without conscious recognition of these associated non-provisioning ecosystem services. This review documents the current knowledge of ecosystem services for key management practices based on experiences from agricultural lands in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Here, practicing conservation agriculture (CA) and Integrated Soil fertility management (ISFM) have overall positive benefits on increasing infiltration (> 44), reducing runoff (> 30%) and soil erosion (> 33%) and increases soil biodiversity. While ISFM and Agroforestry increase provisioning of fuelwood, fodder and food, the effect of CA on the provisioning of food is unclear. Also, considering long-term perspectives, none of the studied soil health promoting practices are increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). Annual contributions to greenhouse gases are generally low (< 3 kg N2O ha−1) with few exceptions. Nitrogen leaching vary widely, from 0.2 to over 200 kg N ha−1 and are sometimes inconsistent with N inputs. This summary of key considerations for evaluating practices from multiple perspectives including provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural ecosystem services is important to inform future soil health policy and research initiatives in SSA

Soil fertility management in Babati: A practical guide on good agricultural management practices in smallholder farming systems

Working with farmers and extension staff within the Ministry of Agriculture and interactions with broad range of researchers across national research and CGIAR Centers operating in Northern Tanzania resulted in a wealth of experience and knowledge that we bring forward in this guide. We have observed wide yield gaps across farms and experienced first-hand key challenges faced by farmers as we worked in their fields, interacted in field days, participatory technology evaluations, exchange visits and brainstorming meetings with farmers. High attainable yields observed by some individual farmers and researchers in experimental and demonstration trials clearly demonstrate potential of applying simple agronomic and other supporting practices to change fortunes of farmers. This is what inspired this guide. Although expressed through simple illustrations and language, most of the data and information are generated through rigorous scientific and data analysis approaches to ensure accuracy of the information. The guide, a knowledge intensive resource, brings together key messages from 6 years of International Center for Tropical Agriculture’s (CIAT) operations in Babati and is a valuable management tool for farmers. It is also an essential reference tool for local agricultural extension and other stakeholders involved in the field of agriculture. The agricultural extension staff reviewed this guide during a workshop held on 17 June 2019 in Babati. These staff included: Jetrida Kyekaka, the District Agriculture, Irrigation and Cooperative Officer (DAICO); Rose Pallangjo, Jonus Masamu and Paulo Tarmo, the District Extension Officers; and Adelta Macha, an extension officer in Gallapo village

Response linearization in electro-optic modulators

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1997.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-100).by Peter Omondi Orondo.M.Eng

A theoretical analysis of interstitial hydrogen : pressure-composition-temperature, chemical potential, enthalpy and entropy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 371-373).We provide a first principles analysis of the physics and thermodynamics of interstitial hydrogen in metal. By utilizing recent advances in Density Functional Theory (DFT) to get state energies of the metal-hydrogen system, we are able to model the absorption process fairly accurately. A connection to experiment is made via Pressure-Composition-Temperature (PCT) isotherms, and thermodynamic molar quantities. In the model, we understand the excess entropy of absorbed hydrogen in terms of the change in its accessible microstates. A connection is also made between the entropy and electronic states of interstitial hydrogen. However, our model indicates that this connection is too small to account for experimental results. Therefore, a conclusion is made that the entropy of absorbed hydrogen is mostly (non-ideal) configurational in nature. To model the latter in a manner consistent with experiment, we have explored a new model that posits a weak binding between clusters of hydrogen atoms at neighboring sites. We have developed a formulation and fitted the results to experimental data. We find a least squares fitting of the model to the entropy and enthalpy results in model parameters which seem physically reasonable. The resulting model appears to provide a natural physical explanation for the dependence of the excess entropy on loading.by Peter Omondi Orondo.Ph.D

Survivors of Gender Based Violence in a major recovery Center in Nairobi, Kenya; a retrospective study on characteristic, prevalence, trends and correlates between 2006 and 2009

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) is an endemic perpetrated mainly against women and children that results in physical, sexual or psycho-social harm. Globally about one in three women experience GBV in her lifetime while in Kenya about 50 % of women experience GBV in their lifetime, which is currently among the highest rates in the world. While various report exists highlighting various forms of GBV in Kenya, data are skewed on the trends and correlates of GBV in Kenya. Objective: This retrospective study characterized the survivors of GBV attending a major Gender Violence Recovery Center (GVRC) in Nairobi Kenya and evaluated the trends and factors associated with GBV between 2006 and 2009. Methods: This study, obtained permission from the hospital to retrieve data from past records of d 384 GBV survivors who were recruited from different parts of Kenya. A sociodemographic based questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to gather information relevant to this study. The data was analyzed for central tendencies as well as for any associations and correlations. Results: The mean of the 384 GBV survivors was 19.79 (SD = 11.8; range 1-70) years while 90.4% of them were female. Among the survivors, 55.5% were single (never married before), 52.9% had primary and lower education level, while 70.6% were unemployed. Rape (46%) was the most common type of GBV. Other GBV types included defilement (26%), domestic/physical violence (17%), sexual violence and sodomy (4%). Of all the GBV, a quarter (39.3%) occurred at night (9 pm to 5am). The year 2007 and 2008 was marked by high level of GBV at 35.9% and 32.8% respectively while 96.2% occurred in the later months of year (October, November and December). Penetrative GBV was common among survivors who knew their perpetrator OR 0.7 (95% CI 0.6 to 0.9); in the years 2006 OR 1.9(95% CI 1.2 to 3.1), 2007 OR 1.7(95% CI 1.1 to 2.5) and 2008 OR 1.7(95% CI 1.2 to 3.6). Defilement was common among survivors who had primary level education OR 6.7 (95% CI 2.7 to 16.9), who knew their perpetrators OR 1.8 (95%CI 1.2 to 2.8), in the morning hours OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.5 to 4.9) and afternoon hours OR 3.9 (95% CI 2.2 to 6.8). Further, defilement was more common in the year 2006 OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.2 to 5.8). Domestic violence was likely to occur among survivors aged 30 to 40 years OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.6) and those who knew their perpetrators OR 41.2 (95%CI 5.7 to 300). Rape was common among survivors who were aged 19 to 29 years OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.6 to 3.3) or 30 to 40 years OR 2 (95% CI 4 to 2.9), female OR 4.7 (95% CI 1.8 to 12), those employed or in business OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.4 to 2.6) and lastly in the year 2007 OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.1) and 2008 OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.5). Sexual violence was common among survivors who know their perpetrators OR 0.4 (95% CI 0.2 to 0.9) and among survivors who reported the incidence within 72 hours OR 10.2 (95% CI 2.4 to 42). Sodomy occurred less among the female OR 0.01 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.2). Conclusion: Rape was more common form of GBV among the survivors and most of the GBV occurred in the later months of year in the years 2007 and early 2008 which were marked by post-election violence. Familiarity with perpetrators, female gender, and the younger age were disproportionately vulnerable to GBV. Strife of any nature are key predictors of GBV. Effective protection can be established only by preventing GBV, identifying risks and responding to survivors. Keywords: Survivors of Gender-based violence, Major GBV Recovery Center in Nairobi Kenya, trends and correlates between 2006 and 2009

Larvicidal activity of extracellular secondary metabolites from a Stereum species Hill ex Pers. (JO5289) against the dengue fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Linn) (Diptera: Culicidae)

The main objective of this investigation was to find mosquito larvicidal secondary metabolites from a basidiomycete – Stereum species (JO5289) – against Aedes aegypti. The Stereum species (JO5289) was collected in July 2005 from undisturbed habitat in Londiani forest in Rift Valley province, Kenya. Extracellular crude extracts from Stereum species (JO5289) produced strong activity against A. aegypti larvae. Purification of the crude extracts targeting larvicidal activity using chromatography gave three active compounds namely; tyrosol, 3-methoxy-5-methyl-1,2-benzenediol and 2-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxychroman- 7yl) but-3-enal. The chemical structures of the compounds were determined using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral data and comparison with literature values. When tested for larvicidal activity, the LC50 for the three compounds were 26.7, 17.3 and 14.5 ppm, respectively, while LC90 were 85.3, 83.5 and 82.9 ppm, respectively, after 24 h of exposure. These compounds have been produced from cultures of a Stereum species and reported to have mosquito larvicidal activity for the first time.Key words: Basidiomycete, Stereum species, Aedes aegypti, extracellular metabolites and larvicidal