Folklinguistic perceptions and attitudes towards Kenyan varieties of Swahili

This paper examines the perceptions of Kenyans towards the way other Kenyans speak Swahili from a Folklinguistic perspective. The study involved two main tasks. In the first task, informants were provided with blank maps of the country and asked to identify areas where they thought there was a distinct way of speaking Swahili. In the second task, they were provided with the same map showing Kenyan’s eight provinces and asked to rank them in terms of correctness, attractiveness and closeness to the way they speak Swahili. The results show little or no difference between the rankings of correctness versus pleasantness of Swahili varieties. The study also shows that Kenyans do not identify with the normative variety modeled on the standardized or Kenyan coastal Swahili which is used in the schools or mass media. Similar to other studies in perceptual dialectology, the informants’ judgments were influenced by their background knowledge and stereotypes about different regions that have little or no relationship with linguistics factors per se. Unlike other studies in perceptual dialectology however, languages that are not the object of study have a strong influence on respondents’ perceptions. Beside the ethnic stereotypes that characterize Kenya’s multilingual discourse, Kenyans’ attitudes towards varieties of Swahili seem to be filtered through the lens of a competitive hegemonic language that has enjoyed historical advantage. As a result, the promotion of an idealized variety of Swahili in light of the dominance of English and the continued use of local languages is not likely to increase its acceptability as a national and official language

Effects of firm capability on organizations’ competitive advantage: the case of Kenyan banking Industry

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the requirements for the Degree of Master of Commerce (MCOM) at Strathmore UniversitySuccessful organizations recognize the importance of firm capability and realize that their survival is dependent on how well they respond to the changes in the business environment. This study sought to establish the impact of firm capability for competitive advantage in the banking industry in Kenya. To accomplish this objective, data was drawn from 129 respondents from the senior management of the 43 commercial banks in Kenya (as at 31st December 2016) who were targeted as the principal respondents. A self-administered questionnaire was used as the major tool of data collection to capture data on managers' opinions on capability development at commercial banks ensuring competitive advantage is attained. Descriptive research design and regression analysis was preferred for analysis and presentation of findings. In this case, data was evaluated and presented in form of textual/content analysis. The study sought to establish the effect of firm capability (financial capability, marketing capability and technological capability) on the competitive advantage of commercial banks. Primary data was collected from top, middle and lower level managers of the commercial banks using semi-structured questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviations. The results of the study were presented in tables and figures and then compared to existing literature. The relationship between firm capability and competitive advantage was tested using regression analysis. Goodness of fit of the regression model to the data collected was tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study established that the top, middle and lower level managers of the commercial banks strongly agree that financial capability, marketing capability and technological capability allow commercial banks to achieve competitive advantage. Regression analysis revealed that there is a strong relationship between competitive advantage and firm capability evidenced by an R-value of 0.717. The study also found out that firm capability accounts for 51.4% of the total variance in banks competitive advantage. The study recommends that commercial banks in Kenya should focus on improving their financial capability through tight budgets, overhead cost control and cost minimization in several areas such as service, sales, marketing and research and development. Banks should also enhance their technological capability if they are to enjoy competitive advantage. The main limitation of this study was the use of a questionnaire as the only data collection tool. Future studies with additional resources could attempt the cross- verification by use of multiple sources and further extend the study

Design Simulation and Analysis of Manual Block-Making Machine

This paper reports the synopsis of design simulation and analysis of manual block-making machine; it is a small fraction of a bigger research-study. Analysis of the various components that make up the final design was done in order to establish the forces, stresses and dimensions. The studies included dynamic simulation, frame analysis and stress examination. Finite Element Analysis was conducted on the components that could have failed during the normal operation of the machine; as such two analyses were done, one to investigate the effect of member components weight due to gravity and the second to investigate the effect of the return load on the frame members. All drawings, calculations, design, assembly, simulations, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) were done by the Autodesk Inventor, 2016 Engineering Design Software. The results are: Flat lever analysis: The maximum displacement achieved was 0.0000008642mm, while the safety factor was 15ul and so the design of the flat component was acceptable if subjected to loads as exposed. However, it seems that the part is overdesigned. Compactor frame analysis: The maximum displacement was 1.605mm and considering the fixed-end would not actually be fixed in the actual machine, this displacement was found to be acceptable. The minimum safety factor achieved was 4.35ul which is acceptable and the maximum 15 ul. Complete assembly analysis: Maximum contact pressure achieved was 36.72 MPa while some components received no contact pressure from the load. The safety factor for the whole machine was 15ul. The value may lead to an assumption that the machine has been “overdesigned”, but considering that some of the sections of the machine are actually unaffected by the load, or the loading conditions is short, and allowing for that it is an equipment that intends to operate on a daily-basis, and it is made of ductile-material, operated in repeated and impact mode of loading, environmental considerations and also to account for all the unpredictable-factors, then, this safety factor for the machine is acceptable. For single components however there would be a need to reduce the “overdesigning”. The study accomplished design simulation and analysis of manual block-making machine, resulting in 3D-view of the final assembly of the machine (made of mild steel) with all standard notations. Overall, the results of this concise study are rather positive, providing a good starting point for further and much- deeper exploration on the same. The major recommendation was made vis-à-vis design factor of safety, in order to eliminate/reduce “overdesigning” and to obtain sequential solutions that exhibit asymptotic convergence to values representing the exact solution, it is recommended to conduct h-refinement of the mesh in FEA. Keywords: design, simulation, assembly, analysis, block-making-machin

Open source 3D printable replacement parts for the WHO insecticide susceptibility bioassay system.

Background Malaria vector control and research rely heavily on monitoring mosquito populations for the development of resistance to public health insecticides. One standard method for determining resistance in adult mosquito populations is the World Health Organization test (WHO bioassay). The WHO bioassay kit consists of several acrylic pieces that are assembled into a unit. Parts of the kit commonly break, reducing the capacity of insectaries to carry out resistance profiling. Since there is at present only a single supplier for the test kits, replacement parts can be hard to procure in a timely fashion. Methods Using computer-aided design software and widely available polylactic acid (PLA) filament as a printing material, we 3D designed and printed replacement parts for the WHO bioassay system. We conducted a comparison experiment between original WHO bioassay kits and 3D printed kits to assess congruence between results. The comparison experiment was performed on two Kenyan laboratory strains of Anopheles gambiae (s.s.), Kilifi and Mbita. Studentʼs t-tests were used to assess significant differences between tube types. Finally, we exposed the PLA filament to common solutions used with the bioassay kit. Results We were able to design and print functional replacements for each piece of the WHO bioassay kit. Replacement parts are functionally identical to and interchangeable with original WHO bioassay parts. We note no significant difference in mortality results obtained from PLA printed tubes and WHO acrylic tubes. Additionally, we observed no degradation of PLA in response to prolonged exposure times of commonly used cleaning solutions. Conclusions Our designs can be used to produce replacement parts for the WHO bioassay kit in any facility with a 3D printer, which are becoming increasingly widespread. 3D printing technologies can affordably and rapidly address equipment shortages and be used to develop bespoke equipment in laboratories

Changing lung function and associated health-related quality-of-life: A five-year cohort study of Malawian adults

Background In Sub-Saharan Africa cross-sectional studies report a high prevalence of abnormal lung function indicative of chronic respiratory disease. The natural history and health impact of this abnormal lung function in low-and middle-income countries is largely unknown. Methods A cohort of 1481 adults representative of rural Chikwawa in Malawi were recruited in 2014 and followed-up in 2019. Respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were quantified. Lung function was measured by spirometry. Findings 1232 (83%) adults participated; spirometry was available for 1082 (73%). Mean (SD) age 49.5 (17.0) years, 278(23%) had ever smoked, and 724 (59%) were women. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) declined by 53.4 ml/year (95% CI: 49.0, 57.8) and forced vital capacity (FVC) by 45.2 ml/year (95% CI: 39.2, 50.5) . Chronic airflow obstruction increased from 9.5% (7.6, 11.6%) in 2014 to 17.5% (15.3, 19.9%) in 2019. There was no change in diagnosed asthma or in spirometry consistent with asthma or restriction. Rate of FEV1 decline was not associated with diagnosed Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or spirometry consistent with asthma, COPD, or restriction. HRQoL was adversely associated with respiratory symptoms (dyspnoea, wheeze, cough), previous tuberculosis, declining FEV1 and spirometry consistent with asthma or restriction. These differences exceeded the minimally important difference. Interpretation In this cohort, the increasing prevalence of COPD is associated with the high rate of FEV1 decline and lung function deficits present before recruitment. Respiratory symptoms and sub-optimal lung function are independently associated with reduced HRQoL

A high throughput multi-locus insecticide resistance marker panel for tracking resistance emergence and spread in Anopheles gambiae

The spread of resistance to insecticides in disease-carrying mosquitoes poses a threat to the effectiveness of control programmes, which rely largely on insecticide-based interventions. Monitoring mosquito populations is essential, but obtaining phenotypic measurements of resistance is laborious and error-prone. High-throughput genotyping offers the prospect of quick and repeatable estimates of resistance, while also allowing resistance markers to be tracked and studied. To demonstrate the potential of highly-mulitplexed genotypic screening for measuring resistance-association of mutations and tracking their spread, we developed a panel of 28 known or putative resistance markers in the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, which we used to screen mosquitoes from a wide swathe of Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya). We found resistance association in four markers, including a novel mutation in the detoxification gene Gste2 (Gste2-119V). We also identified a duplication in Gste2 combining a resistance-associated mutation with its wild-type counterpart, potentially alleviating the costs of resistance. Finally, we describe the distribution of the multiple origins of kdr resistance, finding unprecedented diversity in the DRC. This panel represents the first step towards a quantitative genotypic model of insecticide resistance that can be used to predict resistance status in An. gambiae

Synthesis and biological evaluation of N-cyanoalkyl-, Naminoalkyl-, and N-guanidinoalkyl-substituted 4-aminoquinoline derivatives as potent, selective, brain permeable antitrypanosomal agents

YesCurrent drugs against human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) suffer from several serious drawbacks. The search for novel, effective, brain permeable, safe, and inexpensive antitrypanosomal compounds is therefore an urgent need. We have recently reported that the 4-aminoquinoline derivative huprine Y, developed in our group as an anticholinesterasic agent, exhibits a submicromolar potency against Trypanosoma brucei and that its homo- and hetero-dimerization can result in to up to three-fold increased potency and selectivity. As an alternative strategy towards more potent smaller molecule anti-HAT agents, we have explored the introduction of ω-cyanoalkyl, ω-aminoalkyl, or ω-guanidinoalkyl chains at the primary amino group of huprine or the simplified 4-aminoquinoline analogue tacrine. Here, we describe the evaluation of a small in-house library and a second generation of newly synthesized derivatives, which has led to the identification of 13 side chain modified 4-aminoquinoline derivatives with submicromolar potencies against T. brucei. Among these compounds, the guanidinononyltacrine analogue 15e exhibits a 5-fold increased antitrypanosomal potency, 10-fold increased selectivity, and 100-fold decreased anticholinesterasic activity relative to the parent huprine Y. Its biological profile, lower molecular weight relative to dimeric compounds, reduced lipophilicity, and ease of synthesis, make it an interesting anti-HAT lead, amenable to further optimization to eliminate its remaining anticholinesterasic activity.Wellcome Trus

Large sub-clonal variation in <i>Phytophthora infestans</i> from recent severe late blight epidemics in India

Abstract The population structure of the Phytophthora infestans populations that caused the recent 2013–14 late blight epidemic in eastern India (EI) and northeastern India (NEI) was examined. The data provide new baseline information for populations of P. infestans in India. A migrant European 13_A2 genotype was responsible for the 2013–14 epidemic, replacing the existing populations. Mutations have generated substantial sub-clonal variation with 24 multi-locus genotypes (MLGs) found, of which 19 were unique variants not yet reported elsewhere globally. Samples from West Bengal were the most diverse and grouped alongside MLGs found in Europe, the UK and from neighbouring Bangladesh but were not linked directly to most samples from south India. The pathogen population was broadly more aggressive on potato than on tomato and resistant to the fungicide metalaxyl. Pathogen population diversity was higher in regions around the international borders with Bangladesh and Nepal. Overall, the multiple shared MLGs suggested genetic contributions from UK and Europe in addition to a sub-structure based on the geographical location within India. Our data indicate the need for improved phytosanitary procedures and continuous surveillance to prevent the further introduction of aggressive lineages of P. infestans into the country

Clonal expansion of community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in people who inject drugs (PWID)::Prevalence, risk factors and molecular epidemiology, Bristol, United Kingdom, 2012 to 2017

Background: In 2015, Bristol (South West England) experienced a large increase in cases of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in people who inject drugs (PWID). Aim: We aimed to characterise and estimate the prevalence of MRSA colonisation among PWID in Bristol and test evidence of a clonal outbreak. Methods: PWID recruited through an unlinked-anonymous community survey during 2016 completed behavioural questionnaires and were screened for MRSA. Univariable logistic regression examined associations with MRSA colonisation. Whole-genome sequencing used lineage-matched MRSA isolates, comparing PWID (screening and retrospective bacteraemia samples from 2012-2017) with non-PWID (Bristol screening) in Bristol and national reference laboratory database samples. Results: The MRSA colonisation prevalence was 8.7% (13/149) and was associated with frequently injecting in public places (odds ratio (OR): 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.34–22.70), recent healthcare contact (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.34–13.80) and injecting in groups of three or more (OR: 15.8; 95% CI: 2.51–99.28). People reporting any one of: injecting in public places, injection site skin and soft tissue infection or hospital contact accounted for 12/13 MRSA positive cases (sensitivity 92.3%; specificity 51.5%). Phylogenetic analysis identified a dominant clade associated with infection and colonisation among PWID in Bristol belonging to ST5-SCCmecIVg. Conclusions: MRSA colonisation in Bristol PWID is substantially elevated compared with general population estimates and there is evidence of clonal expansion, community-based transmission and increased infection risk related to the colonising strain. Targeted interventions, including community screening and suppression therapy, education and basic infection control are needed to reduce MRSA infections in PWID