Modeling Asymmetric Effect in African Currency Market: The Case of Kenya

At present, results on asymmetric volatility in the currencies of African economies are at best mixed. Although the bulk of the studies suggested the presence of asymmetric effect, a strand of studies reported ‘no asymmetric effect’. The present study seeks to examine empirically the possibility of asymmetry in Kenyan exchange rate volatility in the light of the two recent crises: the global financial crisis of 2008-09 and the election violence of January-February 2008. Two quantitative techniques were employed; the dichotomous-EGARCH specification and the standard method of subsample comparison. Empirical results showed that returns exhibit some skewness and excess kurtosis, giving justification for the generalized error distribution that was applied in the variance equations. EGARCH estimates showed the presence of asymmetry in the volatility of Kenyan shillings in which positive shocks tend to increase volatility more than the negative. In addition, the estimated effect of the crises on conditional variance is about 12.5%. Tests of specification indicated that EGARCH(1,1) fits the daily currency series well. Further, subsample comparisons revealed a significant increase in volatility during the crises. While ARCH effects increased by 39.8%, GARCH effects also went up by 2.5%. Finally, the article recommends some measures that would promote greater exchange rate stability in the economy. Keywords: Exchange rate volatility, Financial crisis, EGARCH, Election violence, Keny

rcHex: A Radio-controlled Hexapod

rcHex is a radio-controlled hexapod with 18 degrees of freedom, capable of positional and rotational body adjustment as well as omnidirectional travel at variable speeds using three common gaits. Its general-purpose design accessible to hobbyists makes rcHex an platform for further development, whether it be experimentation in advanced robotic movement or retrofitting sensors to utilize technologies such as computer vision and artificial intelligence. This report explores some of the design intricacies of hexapod movement, including gait sequencing and the application of inverse kinematics to multi-jointed limbs

早産児と正期産児における下垂体と甲状腺のMR信号および体積の評価

京都大学新制・課程博士博士(医学)甲第24488号医博第4930号新制||医||1063(附属図書館)京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻(主査)教授 花川 隆, 教授 渡邉 大, 教授 村井 俊哉学位規則第4条第1項該当Doctor of Medical ScienceKyoto UniversityDFA

Impact of cognitive reserve on bipolar disorder: a systematic review

BackgroundCognitive reserve (CR) is a complex concept that includes premorbid IQ, years of education, and exposure to neuropsychological stimuli through work and leisure. Previous studies have suggested that CR has a positive impact on several aspects of bipolar disorder. Synthesizing the evidence to date is an important work in providing directions for future studies. The objectives of this systematic review to summary impact of CR on onsetting, relapsing bipolar episodes, buffering cognitive dysfunctions, and maintaining quality of life (QOL) in bipolar disorder.MethodsTwo researchers independently reviewed selected paper from three database as PubMed, PsychINFO, and Web of Science. The search keywords were “bipolar disorder” and “cognitive reserve.” The selected studies were classified as the levels of evidence according to the criteria of the Oxford Center for Evidence- Based Medicine. The results of the selected studies were summarized according to the objectives.ResultsThrity six studies were included in this review. People with high CR may have fewer bipolar episodes and alleviate cognitive impairments and dysfunction. CR may keep the functional level in patients with bipolar disorder.ConclusionThe results of this systematic review suggest that CR may be involved in preventing relapse of bipolar episodes and may alleviate cognitive dysfunction. However, effect on prevention of onset-risk and relapse of bipolar episodes need further investigation in prospective studies.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021270293, the protocol was registered with PROSERO (CRD42021270293)

Application of Controlled-release Fertilizer to Netted Melon Cultivation Using Root-proof Capillary Wick

Use of controlled-release fertilizer in limited amount of soil and sand medium for netted melon cultivation using a root-proof capillary wick was investigated. The first experiment consisted of 3 lots of soil medium. 1) 3L medium used throughout the cultivation period (A); 2) 6L medium used throughout the cultivation period (B); 3) 3L used until pollination stage, then a partitioning board removed to increase the growth medium to 6L (C). Average of one fruit weight was 1.4 kg in A and B, but only 1.2 kg in C. Brix° value was 13.1 in A, 13.6 in B and 13.4 in C, respectively. The stem diameter at the time of pollination was largest in B in which there was fruit cracking that was also observed in C, but not in A. The root dry weight was highest in A. These results indicate that the restricted medium of 3L presents a potential for good fruit production. The second experiment consisted of 4 lots with 3L medium each: 1) soil and fertilizer medium as in experiment 1; 2) sand and fertilizer medium as in lot 1); 3) sand and slower release fertilizer; 4) sand and half of fertilizer at planting and an additional fertilizer bag placed on the wick at time of pollination. Although cracking fruits occurred 75% in 3) and 37.5% in 4), there was no cracking of fruits in 1) and 2), in which fruit weight in the latter was 1.5kg and brix° value of 14.5 was obtained. These results indicate that controlled-release fertilizer is useful for fruit production of netted melon in sand medium of 3L with a high potential for reuse

Media and Environmental Awareness in Kenya: A Case of TV

Kenya’s economy is highly dependent on natural resources. However, these natural resources are at risk of extinction due to environmental degradation. The general perception is that environmental degradation is partly due to lack of environmental awareness. Studies have shown that many Kenyans rely on and trust the media for information. This research sought to establish the role television as one of the media channels can play in creating awareness on environmental issues.This research used the media framing theory to show how frames such as timing, audience preferences and content influence the reception of environmental messages on television by audiences. To establish this, the researchers interviewed 30 key informants who included editors, TV producers, reporters and environmentalists. The researchers also used survey method where 200 respondents from Ruai division of Nairobi filled in questionnaires regarding their perception on the role of television in creating environmental awareness. Ruai division was purposively chosen because it is a semi urban area and also because it is home to Nairobi’s sewerage plant hence bears the brunt of environmental degradation including air pollution.The findings of this study were that many of the respondents are aware of some of the environmental issues affecting Kenya today and much of this information is gotten from the media. The media was given credit for playing its traditional role of informing, entertaining and educating; however many felt that the media’s potential in raising awareness on environmental issues has not been fully explored. Many of the respondents felt that due to their commercial nature the media in Kenya were skewed towards politics, sports and soap operas as these are thought to attract audiences and ultimately advertisers. Respondents also felt that the current television content on environmental issues was very little, aired at non-prime time and of poor quality. On quality, respondents felt that current TV shows on environment used technical terms while some were simply regurgitated from foreign media houses which made the stories irrelevant to local audiences. Poor content of environmental TV shows was attributed to limited environmental knowledge among reporters and editors and lack of synergy between environmentalists and media personnel. What about lack of training of environmental journalists?Based on the findings, the research put forward a few suggestions that could help fully realize the potential of TV in raising awareness on environmental matters in Kenya. These include the introduction of an award scheme for television stations that air environmental issues to act as an incentive. The researchers also recommend a collaboration mechanism between media personnel and environmental stakeholders to ensure frequent and quality content production on environmental issues. All these, if effected will lead to an increase in the level of awareness among Kenyans and ultimately save the environment from degradation. Keywords: Environmental awareness, environmental degradation, media framin

Fabrication of bone marrow-like tissue in vitro from dispersed-state bone marrow cells

AbstractA three-dimensional (3D) bone marrow (BM) culture system may facilitate research into the molecular mechanisms involved in hematopoiesis and BM diseases. However, because >90% of BM cells are composed of non-adherent blood cells, it is difficult to organize the dispersed BM cells into 3D multicellular spheroids using conventional aggregation methods such as hanging drop, and rotary shaking culture. The objective of this study was to reproduce BM-like tissue. We reported successful formation of BM aggregates using a 3% methylcellulose (MC) medium. This medium could aggregate even non-adherent materials. In MC medium, BM cells formed tissue-like aggregates within 24 h. Although the cell density of the BM-like tissue is slightly low, sections of the organoids resembled those of intact BM tissue. Cells of the BM-like tissue were approximately 70% viable after 7 days in culture. Staining for CD68, PDGFRα, and CXCL12 indicated that the BM-like tissue contained macrophages, and mesenchymal cells including CXCL12-abundant reticular cells. These results indicated that the method using MC medium effectively reconstitutes the BM-like tissue