Aboveground Net Primary Productivity in Grazed and Ungrazed pastures: Grazing Optimisation Hypothesis or Local Extinction of Vegetation Species

The controversy that has surrounded herbivory studies in the last few decades prompted our investigation to establish the extent to which herbivore optimisation hypothesis or compensatory growth evidence is real. We used the traditional movable cage method to collect primary productivity data on herbage, functional groups and key individual grass species in various controlled large herbivore treatments in an east African savanna. The herbivore treatments in triplicate blocks included cattle, wild herbivores with and without mega herbivores and combinations of cattle and wild herbivores also with and without mega herbivores. The findings revealed that at herbage level, most grazed treatments (four out of five) had higher productivity than the ungrazed control and three showed grazing optimisation curve at sixth polynomial degree between monthly productivity and grazing intensity (1-g/ng). At functional group level forbs productivity was higher in the ungrazed control than in any of the grazed treatments while at individual grass species level _Themeda triandra_ productivity was higher in all grazed treatments than in ungrazed control. We conclude against presence of herbivore optimisation hypothesis at herbage, functional group and species level because of lack of attributable grazing effect in grazed treatments that matches complex ecological effects in the ungrazed treatment

The Influence of Agricultural Land Use on Household Food Security Situation in Kisii Central Sub-County, Kenya

Food security is a situation where people have access to sufficient, stable and safe food to meet their dietary needs for an active and healthy life. The aim of this paper is to determine the influence of agricultural land use on household food security situation in Kisii Central sub-county, Kenya. A sample of 209 households was picked from three sub-Locations within the three main agro-ecological zones of the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the required data from household heads. Assessment of household food security status was based on experienced-based method. Agricultural land use was categorized into food crop, cash crop, fruits and vegetables and natural pasture and/or napier grass. The influence of agricultural land use on household food security situation was analyzed using the Pearson’s Chi-square test. Data analysis showed that 77.5% of the sampled households were food secure while 22.5% were not. About (65%) of the agricultural land was allocated to food crops, 25% to cash crops and the remaining proportion was left for other agricultural land uses. Cash crop (0.000) and natural pasture and/or napier grass (0.002) were found to have a significant influence on household food security while food crop (0.228) and fruits and vegetables (0.192) did not. The study recommends that more efficient ways of utilizing the land resource through increased use of high quality seeds and fertilizers to increase productivity. Investment in projects that enhance commercialization of small-scale farming in order to generate household income should be promoted. Keywords: Agricultural land use, Household food security, Kisii Central

The Impact of Socio-Economic Characteristics on Cash and Food Crop Production: Implications on Household Food Situation in Kisii Central Sub-County, Kenya

Socio-economic characteristics of households have significant implications on decisions related to utilization of household farms in order to meet food and non-food needs. This paper aims to establish the impact of socio-economic characteristics on cash and food production and the resultant household food situation in Kisii Central sub-County, Kenya. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 209 household heads drawn from three sub-Locations with the highest population density within the LM1, UM1 and LM2 agro-ecological zones. Data on gender and education level of the household heads, household size, farm size and household income was collected. The cash and food crop production data collected was the number of households involved in their production and the amount of land allocated to each activity. Assessment of the food situation was based on self-report by household heads in relation to levels of food availability within a period of one year. Descriptive and inferential techniques were used in data analysis and in particular, Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to analyze the impact of socio-economic characteristics on cash and food crop production and household food situation. The level of education of the household head (0.021) and household income (0.019) had significant impact on the food situation of households engaged in both cash and food crop production. Farm size had an impact on households engaged in food crop production (0.001). Most households were found to be food secure (77.5%). This study recommends that rural populations be encouraged to acquire formal education. Household income levels should also be enhanced through investment in value addition and establishment of cottage industries. Keywords: Cash and food crop production, Household socio-economic characteristics, Food situatio

Evaluation of textile substrates for dispensing synthetic attractants for malaria mosquitoes

Background: The full-scale impact of odour-baited technology on the surveillance, sampling and control of vectors of infectious diseases is partly limited by the lack of methods for the efficient and sustainable dispensing of attractants. In this study we investigated whether locally-available and commonly used textiles are efficient substrates for the release of synthetic odorant blends attracting malaria mosquitoes. Methods: The relative efficacy of (a) polyester, (b) cotton, (c) cellulose + polyacrylate, and (d) nylon textiles as substrates for dispensing a synthetic odour blend (Ifakara blend 1(IB1)) that attracts malaria mosquitoes was evaluated in western Kenya. The study was conducted through completely randomized Latin square experimental designs under semi-field and field conditions. Results: Traps charged with IB1-impregnated polyester, cotton and cellulose + polyacrylate materials caught significantly more female Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (semi-field conditions) and An. gambiae sensu lato (field conditions) mosquitoes than IB1-treated nylon (P = 0.001). The IB1-impregnated cellulose + polyacrylate material was the most attractive to female An. funestus mosquitoes compared to all other dispensing textile substrates (P < 0.001). The responses of female An. funestus mosquitoes to IB1-treated cotton and polyester were equal (P = 0.45). Significantly more female Culex mosquitoes were attracted to IB1-treated cotton than to the other treatments (P < 0.001). Whereas IB1-impregnated cotton and cellulose + polyacrylate material attracted equal numbers of female Mansonia mosquitoes (P = 0.44), the catches due to these two substrates were significantly higher than those associated with the other substrates (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The number and species of mosquitoes attracted to a synthetic odour blend is influenced by the type of odour-dispensing material used. Thus, surveillance and intervention programmes for malaria and other mosquito vectors using attractive odour baits should select an odour-release material that optimizes the odour blend

Psycho-Social Attributes of Male Volleyball Players in Kenya

Socialization into sport revolves around initial entry, continued participation and seeking excellence.  Kenyan women volleyball players have returned significant successes at regional and continental competitions.However  their success is not comparable to men teams which are yet to set any accolades at regional and continental level.  The purpose of this study was to investigate pyscho-social attributes of Kenya male volleyball players who took part Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league in 2015.The attributes investigated involved family background factors, reasons for specialization and motivesforcontinued participation.Data was collected through self-reported questionnaires from (n=71) participants and was analyzed for frequencies and percentages.  Results indicated majority of 38.5% had experiences of one to three years, majority of them (over 50%) came from lower and middle class backgrounds, reasons for specialization were; talent, enjoyment  and social interactionswhilethe motives for continued participation were talent , desire to win and success in volleyball .  It is concluded that male volleyball players entry into volleyball and their continued participation is buttressed in intrinsic motives. Consequently, coaches and team managers need to take stock of these drivers of seeking excellence in volleyball.  Future studies need to be conducted to unearth the relationship between socio-psychological factors and technical and tactical shortfalls of the men volleyball players in Kenya. Keywords: Volleyball, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), Social Economic Status (SES) DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/50-06 Publication date:September 30th 202

Responding to Major Burn Disasters in Resource-Limited Settings: Lessons Learned From an Oil Tanker Explosion in Nakuru, Kenya.

BACKGROUN

Posterior F-Value In Bayesian Analysis Of Variance Using Winbugs

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is a standard method for describing and estimating heterogeneity among the means of a response variable across the levels of multiple categorical factors. In most experimental settings, ANOVA is used to test the presence of treatment effects. Frequentist approaches to making inferences about the variances of random cluster effects in hierarchical generalized linear models (HGLMs) have several limitations. These include reliance on asymptotic theory, questionable properties of classical likelihood ratio tests when pseudo-likelihood methods are used for estimation, and a failure to account for uncertainty in the estimation of features of prior distributions for model parameters. This paper compares and contrasts alternative approaches to making a specific type of inference about the variance components in an HGLM, focusing on the difference in the variance components. A Bayesian approach to making inferences about these types of differences is proposed that circumvents many of the problems associated with alternative frequentist approaches.Bayesian hypothesis testing literature on ANOVA is scant; the dominant treatment is still classical or frequentist. One impediment to adoption of Bayesian approach is lack of practical development, particularly a lack of ready-to-use formulas and algorithms. Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and Gibbs sampling are used to obtain posterior point estimates from these posterior distributions. The 95% credible intervals (CI) were also obtained. Posterior F-values were obtained for the different priors and finally compared with that obtained using classical approach. The Bayesian test for ANOVA designs is useful to both researchers and students; both groups will get to appreciate the importance of Bayesian approach when applied to practical statistical problems. Key Words: Bayesian Analysis of Variance, Variance Components, Hierarchical Generalized Linear Models, Posterior F-value, ANOVA

Determinants of Capital Flight in the East African Community

The region has lost an immense amount of capital that has led to sluggish regional integration in terms of capital formation and productive capabilities. Albeit most of these countries are in the ranking list of the huge volumes of capital flight, East Africa has never been considered as a sub-region in the capital-related studies. Cognizant of this, this paper intends to contribute to this body of knowledge by filling a noticeable gap. This paper examined the determinant of capital flight from East African Community countries that include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi using panel data for the years 1988 to 2018 using the real gross domestic product, interest rate differential, external debt, corruption index, and exchange rate as explanatory variables. Secondary data obtained from EAC member countries National Bureau of Statistics. Levin-Lin-Chu panel unit root test was carried out and capital flight and Exchange rate found to be stationary at level. The fixed effect regression results showed that corruption, external debt, and the exchange rate had a positive and statistically significant effect on capital flight while real GDP had a negative and statistically significant effect on capital flight. Thus, policymakers should endeavor to achieve a broad investor base for its domestic and foreign obligations, with due regard to cost and risk, and should treat investors equally. In addition, there is a need to harmonize the judiciary and the executives in EAC to facilitate the fight against corruption which is a major concern for a capital flight. Keywords: Capital flight, External debt, Exchange rate, GDP, Corruption, EAC DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-10-01 Publication date:May 31st 2021

Commodification and End of Ethics in International Relations

This paper interrogates the practice of commodification and ethics in international relations. Compounding the dilemma of practice of ethics among states is the rise of commodification due to liberalism in a globalizing world where competition is about commercialization trends. Using an analytical qualitative and speculative approach, this paper sets to; probe whether commodification is likely to sweep away ethics in International Relations (IR), find out the practice of ethics in economic play among states, and finally highlights likely effects of commodification to ethics. The conclusion that relaxation of rules in IR due to commodification against ethics is arrived at. Key Words: Commodification/ International Relations/ Ethics/ States/ International Ethics/ Extra- Territorial/ Bilateral/ Multi- Lateral/ International System/ Economic system