ABSTRACT Sugarcane is the third most important commodity crop in Kenya after tea and coffee. The productivity of the crop has been declining despite existence of recommended agronomic and cultural practices and opening new sugarcane lands. Though high yielding and early maturing varieties have been introduced in Kenya Sugar Industry to overcome low yields, the problem persists. Farmers apply nitrogen either in single dose or split. It is not known if the rates and mode of application are appr...
Abstract Diurnal variation of vertical total electron content (VTEC) over Lagos, Nigeria (6.52° N, 3.399 E, dip latitude 3.03° S) during low solar activity period (2010) and a comparison with NeQuick-model-derived VTEC, are presented in this paper. VTEC generally increases from 0600 h LT and reaches its maximum value at approximately 1400 to 1700 h LT during all months considered. Our result shows that NeQuick model provide a good prediction during daytime and nighttime at Lagos, although s...
ABSTRACT A novel biosensor for hydrogen peroxide was constructed based on the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase on zinc oxide-multiwalled carbon nanotubes matrix. The model redox enzyme, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was physically (physical adsorption) immobilized on the ZnO/MWCNT modified electrode surface. UV-Visible spectra of HRP and HRP/ZnO/MWCNT displayed soret bands at 407 and 390 nm, respectively and thus the immobilised HRP retains its native structure. The modified electrode...
ABSTRACT Street children are exposed to environmental, socioeconomic and behavioural factors that increase risk of parasitic infections and are excluded from disease control programmes. The prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections as well as the link between the parasitic infections and anaemia status of these children is not known. Epidemiologic information on parasitic infection among street children in Kenya is required for developing appropriate control programs. This was a compar...
ABSTRACT Multi-drug resistant (MDR) HIV-1 infection remains a challenge in individuals with extensive antiretroviral treatment (ART) experience, in terms of high mortality and probability of onward transmission. New therapeutic options within old drug and new drug classes are therefore essential. This study sought to determine coreceptor usage and T20 resistance associated mutations in patients failing salvage therapy from clinics around Botswana, through characterizing gp120 V3 loop and gp...
ABSTRACT While most universities in the developed world, by tradition, have research offices to handle research management, structures for the efficient coordination and strong governance of research are nascent within many Sub-Saharan African universities. In this paper we look at the organizational structures, policies and functions of research offices for supporting faculty research as well as their management operations in 5 selected Nigerian universities. The authors interviewed 20 part...
ABSTRACT This study was on aspects of the biology of Apis mellifera adansonii (1758) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apoidea) with emphasis on honey and beeswax production. Apis mellifera adansonii was identified and its life cycle stages were studied including the effect of the age of its queen on rate of brood production. Effects of ambient temperature, relative humidity and sugar syrup on colonies of A. mellifera adansonii in both dry and wet seasons were studied. During this study, Galleria mollone...
ABSTRACT Globally, it is estimated that 1.2 million injecting substance users are HBV infected while 1.7 million live with HIV. Africa is home to about 1.02 million injecting substance users of whom 12.7% are HBV infected while 12.1% live with HIV. In Kenya, the population of injecting substance users is approximately 50,000 most of whom reside in Nairobi and Mombasa cities. Nairobi and Mombasa cities are home to about 23,000 and 27,000 injecting substance users, respectively. The prevalence ...
ABSTRACT Forest logging is a major threat to global biodiversity (Sala et al. 2000) and a growing demand for timber means logging rates are increasing (Perry, Ram & Hart 2008). Consequently, there is a drive to develop forest timber harvesting strategies that maintain biodiversity alongside timber extraction. Attempts are, therefore, being made to integrate conservation into production forests according to ecologically sustainable forest management principles such as themaintenance of stand s...
ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis infects approximately 207 million people worldwide with 90% of the cases occurring in Africa. Kato-Katz, is the standard method of S.mansoni diagnosis, however it is characterized by low sensitivity. Another method of diagnosis is the antibody ELISA, which is highly sensitive but lacks specificity. The PCR test is 98% sensitive and 100% specific but it is costly for use in limited resource settings. The high sensitivity and specificity of the PCR makes it a useful gol...
Abstract The electronic, optical and thermal properties of hexagonal and cubic phases of Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) have been calculated using density functional theory (DFT) as implemented in the QUANTUM ESPRESSO computer package. GST is successfully applied in optical memory such as rewritable CDs and is a promising candidate for non-volatile electronic memory. In optical storage, the reflectivity contrast can be optimized towards the ultraviolet spectral range, thereby increasing data storage capacit...
ABSTRACT Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is one of the most popular vegetables in the world.Tomato and its products are rich in antioxidants and vitamins C, E and carotenoids. The world consumption of tomato has increased significantly. Despite its importance, its production is below full potential due to the effect of pests and diseases such as bacterial wilt. Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most devastating, and wide-spread bacterial diseases of crops in...
ABSTRACT Plant-derived compounds could exhibit a direct and/or an indirect antimicrobial activity as antimicrobial resistance modifying compounds. Their effectiveness could further be increased when combined with other bioactive compounds or antibiotics (synergy). A systematic search for plant-derived bioactive compounds, including those which can synergistically act with other bioactive compounds or antibiotics, as resistance modifying agents represents a potential approach to overcoming mic...
ABSTRACT This paper reports on the findings of a research study that investigated on the challenges faced by teachers in the implementation of inclusive education in two of the secondary schools in Lower Gwelo Cluster. The study made use of a mixed method approach .The research methodology was underpinned by a descriptive survey .The specific constructs studied were teachers and administrators .The sample was purposely drawn from 2 schools, 24 teachers and 2 heads of schools in Lower Gwelo c...
ABSTRACT Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is one of the recent software development paradigms that enable alignment of business processes into integrated services within and outside organizations regardless of the heterogeneity of technologies used. Determining the scope, effort and cost of SOA systems is important to facilitate the planning and eventually successful implementation of software projects. A number of methods have been proposed to estimate effort of building SOA projects. Des...