Tissue biochemical diversity of 20 gooseberry cultivars and the effect of ethylene supplementation on postharvest life

The European gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) is still an understudied crop with limited data available on its biochemical profile and postharvest life. A variety of polyphenols were detected in the skin and flesh of 20 gooseberry cvs, representing mainly flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols. In contrast, gooseberry seeds were for the first time characterised by the presence of considerable amounts of hydroxycinnamic acid glycosides tentatively identified by UPLC-QToF/MS. All cvs examined represented a good source of vitamin C while being low in sugar. Furthermore, the postharvest stability of bioactives was explored by supplementation of exogenous ethylene in air at 5 °C. Results suggest a low sensitivity of gooseberries to ethylene. The overall quality of gooseberries remained stable over two weeks, showing potential for extended bioactive life

The Effect of Selected Macro-economic Variables on Exchange Rates in Kenya

Purpose – This paper sought to establish the effect of selected macro-economic variables on exchange rates in Kenya. The selected macro-economic variables for this study were interest rates, inflation rates and trade flows. Methodology – The study was modeled as a descriptive survey. A data collection sheet was used to collect secondary data from the published bulletin and other publications by Central Bank of Kenya and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics for a period of ten years between 2006 and 2015. The data was examined using descriptive, correlation and regression analyses. Findings - Results of the study showed that interest rate had a positive correlation coefficient of 0.446 with exchange rate, Inflation rate and exchange rate had a correlation coefficient of negative 0.395 while the Level of aggregation of trade flows had a correlation coefficient of positive 0.829 to the exchange rate. The value of R square was 0.745, a discovery that 74.5 percent of the deviations in exchange rates in Kenya occurred due to changes in interest rate, inflation rate and trade flows at 95 percent confidence level. The significance value obtained was less than p=0.05 implying that the model was statistically significant in predicting how the macro economic variables of interest rate, inflation rate and trade flows affect exchange rates in Kenya. Implications - The Kenyan shilling has been depreciating in value over the years implying a weakening of its purchasing power in the international markets. Policy makers should come up with policies that will contribute to reversing this trend. Managing the prevailing levels of inflation, interest rates and trade flows will be key as they have been found to significantly affect exchange rates. Value - The study will act as a guide to various banking sector policymakers key being the Central Bank of Kenya and the Treasury in formulation of the policies which will manage exchange rates and spur growth and profitability in this sector. The monetary policy decision makers can innovatively formulate foreign exchange strategies that ensure that the exchange rate in the financial market at any time do not negate investments in the economy. Key Words: selected macro-economic variables, exchange rates in Keny

The Non-Negative –Matrix Completion Problem for 5×5 Matrices Specifying Cyclic Diagraphs with 5 Vertices and 4 Arcs

The non-negative P0-matrix completion is considered for 5×5 matrices specifying digraphs with p=5 and q=4.The research determines which of the digraphs with p=5 and q=4 and specifying 5×5 partial matrices have non-negative P0-completion. Considering the 5×5 matrices with q=4, all the sixty one (61) non-isomorphic digraphs shall be constructed. All the partial non-negative P0-matrices will be extracted from each digraph. To establish if the pattern has non-negative P0-completion or not, zero completion will be performed on each of the partial matrix extracted. The study establishes that all acyclic digraphs of an 5×5 matrix with q=4 have non-negative P0-completion. The matrix completion problem is to find the values of an n x m matrix M, given a sparse and incomplete set of observations. Possible areas of applications include Seismic data reconstruction to recover missing traces when data is sparse and incomplete ,say due to malfunctioned measuring instruments, biased or corrupted traces, ground barriers, or due to financial limitation to access complete data. Others include incomplete market surveys (eg movie ratings to complete missing data so as to recommend appropriately to viewers), weather forecasting from historical data recordings as well as future predictions from computer simulations, reconstruction of images in computer; and finding the positions of sensors in Global Positioning from distances available in a local network

Temperature-dependent phenology of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae): Simulation and visualization of current and future distributions along the Eastern Afromontane

There is a scarcity of laboratory and field-based results showing the movement of the diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella (L.) across a spatial scale. We studied the population growth of the diamondback moth (DBM) Plutella xylostella (L.) under six constant temperatures, to understand and predict population changes along altitudinal gradients and under climate change scenarios. Non-linear functions were fitted to continuously model DBM development, mortality, longevity and oviposition. We compiled the best-fitted functions for each life stage to yield a phenology model, which we stochastically simulated to estimate the life table parameters. Three temperature-dependent indices (establishment, generation and activity) were derived from a logistic population growth model and then coupled to collected current (2013) and downscaled temperature data from AFRICLIM (2055) for geospatial mapping. To measure and predict the impacts of temperature change on the pest's biology, we mapped the indices along the altitudinal gradients of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and Taita Hills (Kenya) and assessed the differences between 2013 and 2055 climate scenarios. The optimal temperatures for development of DBM were 32.5, 33.5 and 33ÊC for eggs, larvae and pupae, respectively. Mortality rates increased due to extreme temperatures to 53.3, 70.0 and 52.4% for egg, larvae and pupae, respectively. The net reproduction rate reached a peak of 87.4 female offspring/female/generation at 20ÊC. Spatial simulations indicated that survival and establishment of DBM increased with a decrease in temperature, from low to high altitude. However, we observed a higher number of DBM generations at low altitude. The model predicted DBM population growth reduction in the low and medium altitudes by 2055. At higher altitude, it predicted an increase in the level of suitability for establishment with a decrease in the number of generations per year. If climate change occurs as per the selected scenario, DBM infestation may reduce in the selected region. The study highlights the need to validate these predictions with other interacting factors such as cropping practices, host plants and natural enemies.Peer reviewe

Correlations, Path Coefficient Analysis and Heritability for Quantitative Traits in Finger Millet Landraces

Knowledge of association between traits and heritability is important in breeding for purposes of effective trait selection. Such information on finger millet in east Africa is very limited. This study was intended to determine the association and heritability for 19 quantitative traits of 340 finger millet landraces from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and 80 global minicore accessions from ICRISAT Genebank in India. There were inherent strong genetic relationships among most traits as evidenced by the higher genotypic than phenotypic correlations. Grain yield had high, positive correlations with finger width (rg =0.876), grains per spikelet (rg =0.623), threshing percent (rg =0.677), peduncle length (rg =0.517) and panicle exertion (rg =0.571). These traits could be considered for grain yield selection. Path coefficient analysis revealed that productive tillers per plant (0.473), 1000 grain mass (0.136), grains per spikelet (0.131) and threshing percent (0.118) had positive, direct effects on grain yield. Due consideration should be placed on these traits when selecting for grain yield improvement in finger millet. There were also strong, positive indirect effects contributed to grain yield by finger width, peduncle length, panicle exertion and leaf sheath width. It will be necessary to simultaneously select for these traits together with those with strong positive, direct effects on grain yield in order to improve grain yield in finger millet. High broad-sense heritability estimates were recorded for fingers per panicle, flag leaf blade length, 1000 grain mass, productive tillers per plant, finger length, peduncle length and panicle exertion indicating the potential for their improvement through selection

Alcohol and illicit drug use among young people living with HIV compared to their uninfected peers from the Kenyan coast: prevalence and risk indicators

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, there is paucity of research on substance use patterns among young people living with HIV (YLWH). To address the gap, we sought to: i) determine the prevalence of substance use, specifically alcohol and illicit drug use, among YLWH compared to their HIV-uninfected peers; ii) investigate the independent association between young people’s HIV infection status and substance use; iii) investigate the risk indicators for substance use among these young people. Methods: Between November 2018 and September 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kenyan coast recruiting 819 young people aged 18–24 years (407 HIV-positive). Alcohol and drug use disorders identification tests (AUDIT and DUDIT) were administered via audio computer-assisted self-interview alongside other measures. Logistic regression was used to determine substance use risk indicators. Results: The point prevalence of current substance use was significantly lower among YLWH than HIV-uninfected youths: current alcohol use, 13% vs. 24%, p \u3c 0.01; current illicit drug use, 7% vs. 15%, p \u3c 0.01; current alcohol and illicit drug use comorbidity, 4 vs. 11%, p \u3c 0.01. Past-year prevalence estimates for hazardous substance use were generally low among young people in this setting (\u3c 10%) with no significant group differences observed. Being HIV-positive independently predicted lower odds of current substance use, but not hazardous substance use. There was overlap of some risk indicators for current substance use between young people with and without HIV including male sex, khat use and an experience of multiple negative life events, but risk indicators unique to either group were also identified. Among YLWH, none of the HIV-related factors was significantly associated with current substance use. Conclusions: At the Kenyan coast, substance use is a reality among young people. The frequency of use generally appears to be low among YLWH compared to the HIV-uninfected peers. Substance use prevention initiatives targeting young people, regardless of HIV infection status, are warranted in this setting to avert their potential risk for developing substance use disorders, including dependence. The multifaceted intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that place young people at risk of substance use need to be addressed as part of the substance use awareness and prevention initiatives

A randomized control trial of phototherapy and 20% albumin versus phototherapy and saline in Kilifi, Kenya

Objective: The study evaluated the efficacy of phototherapy and 20% albumin infusion to reduce total serum bilirubin (TSB) in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia. The primary outcome was a reduction of TSB at the end of treatment. The secondary outcomes were the need for exchange transfusion, inpatient mortality, neurological outcomes at discharge, and development outcomes at 12-months follow-up. Results: One hundred and eighteen neonates were randomly assigned to phototherapy and 20% albumin (n = 59) and phototherapy and saline (n = 69). The median age at admission was 5 (interquartile range (IQR) 3–6) days, and the median gestation was 36 (IQR 36–38) weeks. No significant differences were found in the change in TSB (Mann–Whitney U =609, p = 0.98) and rate of change in TSB per hour after treatment (Mann–Whitney U = 540, p = 0.39) between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the proportion of participants who required exchange transfusion (χ2 (2) = 0.36, p = 0.546); repeat phototherapy (χ2 (2) = 2.37, p = 0.123); and those who died (χ2 (2) = 0.92, p = 0.337). Trial registration The trial was registered in the International Standardized Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN); trial registration number ISRCTN89732754

Brief report: Validity and reliability of the Nigerian Autism Screening Questionnaire

Informant-report measures for screening symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are needed for low-resource settings if early identification is to be prioritized because early developmental concerns are likely to be expressed by parents and other caregivers. This paper describes the initial psychometric evaluation of the Nigeria Autism Screening Questionnaire (NASQ). Parents and other caregivers completed the NASQ on 12,311 children ages 1 to 18 in a Nigerian population sample as part of the World Bank National General Household Survey conducted in the country in 2016. Factor analyses indicated a parsimonious three-factor structure with social communication/interaction, repetitive sensory motor, and insistence on sameness dimensions. Measurement invariance was excellent across age and sex. Reliability of the subscales and total scale was good, and item response theory analyses indicated good measurement precision in the range from below average to high scores, crucial for screening, and tracking ASD symptoms. Studies with gold standard ASD diagnostic instruments and clinical confirmation are needed to evaluate screening and diagnostic accuracy. The NASQ appears to be a reliable instrument with a clear factor structure and potential for use in screening and tracking ASD symptoms in future Nigerian samples

Extended Follow-Up Following a Phase 2b Randomized Trial of the Candidate Malaria Vaccines FP9 ME-TRAP and MVA ME-TRAP among Children in Kenya

Background. "FFM ME-TRAP'' is sequential immunisation with two attenuated poxvirus vectors (FP9 and modified vaccinia virus Ankara) delivering the pre-erythrocytic malaria antigen ME-TRAP. Over nine months follow-up in our original study, there was no evidence that FFM ME-TRAP provided protection against malaria. The incidence of malaria was slightly higher in children who received FFM ME-TRAP, but this was not statistically significant (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.3). Although the study was unblinded, another nine months follow-up was planned to monitor the incidence of malaria and other serious adverse events. Methods and Findings. 405 children aged 1-6 yrs were initially randomized to vaccination with either FFM ME-TRAP or control (rabies vaccine). 380 children were still available for follow-up after the first nine months. Children were seen weekly and whenever they were unwell for nine months monitoring. The axillary temperature was measured, and blood films taken when febrile. The primary analysis was time to parasitaemia >2,500/mu l. During the second nine months monitoring, 49 events met the primary endpoint (febrile malaria with parasites >2,500/mu l) in the Intention To Treat (ITT) group. 23 events occurred among the 189 children in the FFM ME-TRAP group, and 26 among the 194 children in the control group. In the full 18 months of monitoring, there were 63 events in the FFM ME-TRAP group and 60 in the control group (HR = 1.2, CI 0.84-1.73, p = 0.35). There was no evidence that the HR changed over the 18 months (test for interaction between time and vaccination p = 0.11). Conclusions. Vaccination with FFM ME-TRAP was not protective against malaria in this study. Malaria incidence during 18 months of surveillance was similar in both vaccine groups. Trial Registration. Controlled-Trials. com ISRCTN88335123