DSpace Collection:

Research management and administration in Kenya in a challenging research environment

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Research management and administration in Kenya in a challenging research environment Authors: Rampioni, Patrizia; Hunja, Carol W. Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of the current state of research policy and research management and administration (RMA) in Kenya. Although RMA is an emerging field globally, it is not yet fully recognised in Kenya. The main objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the vibrant research environment in Kenya, its most important challenges in the field of management and administration of research, and how some Kenyan Universities are dealing with them. The findings in this chapter are based first on a research policy documents analysis and on literature review. In a second phase, qualitative data were collected through desk-based research and informant questionnaires and interviews. In the conclusions, concrete suggestions are formulated that could support the enrichment of the research environment, find solutions for RMA-related challenges, but also lead to the development and establishment of RMA as a profession in the country. Description: https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80382-701-820231035

Mechanisms of transmission of the Banana streak virus by Paracoccus burnerae

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Mechanisms of transmission of the Banana streak virus by Paracoccus burnerae Authors: Muturi, Samuel M.; Wachira, Francis N.; Karanja, Laura S.; Njeru, Lucyline K. Abstract: Like most viruses that cause plant diseases, the Banana streak virus (BSV) is dependent on several abiotic and biotic factors for its successful transmission and survival. Several BSV isolates are vectored by several mealybug species, including the oleander mealybug, Paracoccus burnerae (P. burnerae). However, the transmission mechanisms of this virus by the vector are poorly understood, yet the mechanisms are critical elements in the transmission of viruses by their putative vectors. This chapter presents a factorial experimental design results of studies conducted on three critical biotic factors that determine the successful transmission of the virus. The studies employed highly sensitive techniques such as immuno-capture polymerase chain reaction and rolling circle amplification to detect the BSV in the vector gut. The findings suggest that the virus is transmitted semipersistently by the P. burnerae vector through a noncirculative mode. These findings provide a new frontier for the development of novel control strategies for banana streak disease. Description: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90899-3.00021-5

Interaction force convex reduction for smooth gait transitions on human-power augmentation lower exoskeletons

Sat, 01 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Interaction force convex reduction for smooth gait transitions on human-power augmentation lower exoskeletons Authors: Ahmed, Abusabah I. A.; Cheng, Hong; Liu, Huaping; Lin, Xichuan; Juma, Mary A. Abstract: Online gait control in human-powered exoskeleton systems is still rich research field and represents a step towards fully autonomous, safe and intelligent navigation. Many Control method performs well and with accepted interaction force between pilot and exoskeleton during system’s navigation on level walking, but with large convex when walking speed changed. Adaptive LOcally WEighted Scatterplot Smoothing (ALOESS) is a modification for LOESS regression method that combine multiple regression models for predefined convex threshold. We proposed convex reduction technique for smooth tracking of arbitrary reference trajectories. The large convex resulted during changing gait from flat terrain to stair ascent are studied in this work and the overshoots are reduced to minimize trajectory tracking error. We choose the overshoots to be reduced in this step because the they are larger than undershoots. We demonstrate the proposed control strategy on computer simulations, results show that the proposed strategy can minimize the overshoot by 46%. Description: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5230-9_39

In vivo anticandida activity of three traditionally used medicinal plants in East Africa

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: In vivo anticandida activity of three traditionally used medicinal plants in East Africa Authors: Kisangau, Daniel P.; Hosea, K. M.; Lyaruu, H. V. M.; Josep, C. C.; Mbwambo, Z. H.; Masimba, P. J. Abstract: Crude extracts of Dracaena steudneri bark (DSB), Sapium ellipticum bark (SEB) and Capparis erythrocarpos root (CER) were investigated for their antifungal activity in immunocompromised mice infected with Candida albicans in an in vivo mice infection model. Extracts of these plant species are commonly used to treat fungal infections in East African countries. Three groups of white albino mice were immunosuppressed with 200 mg/kg body weight of cyclophosmamide for four consecutive days after which they were administered with 0.3 ml of 0.5 McFarland standard inoculum of C. albicans. The groups were treated with escalating doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight of dichloromethane extracts. There was substantial dose dependency in all treatments given, with mice survival to the end of the experiment correlating well to the dose levels. At a dose of 400 mg/kg, C. erythrocarpos was the most effective with mice survival of 60% and organ burden clearance ranging from 64.0%–99.9% (P < 0.0001) in all treatments. The results revealed that C. erythrocarpos possessed significant potential for development into antifungal drugs suitable for control of Candida infections. The effectiveness of the plant extracts in vivo was a confirmation of the value of ethnopharmacological leads in drug discovery. Description: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1120-1_14