ABSTRACT Cross section studies are important as they supply fundamental level researchers with necessary information and predictions for their experiments. Once experimental measurements agree with some prediction, the theoretical model yielding the prediction is then applied to other situations and finally validated. Very few studies have been made on electron impact double excitation of (2s2) 1S and (2s2p) 1P states of helium and even the results obtained in these studies do not agree among...
ABSTRACT The current global pollination crisis and the importance of insects in pollination service that maintains the native plant populations, agricultural enterprise, ecosystem resilience and food security do motivate the concern to conserve insect pollinators. Kaya forests are rich in biodiversity and endemism; they are potential sites for conservation of these pollinators in the coastal region of Kenya. However, they are threatened by illegal deforestation, charcoal burning, settlement ...
ABSTRACT Control of disease vectors by use of synthetic chemical pesticides has been associated with a series of problems, including resistance development, environmental pollution, and safety risks for humans and domestic animals. Plant-based products have been used for generations in traditional practices to control different arthropods. These have been used in space or personal protection either to repel the arthropods from distance or to deter them from blood-feeding on contact. In the p...
ABSTRACT Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes that mediate resistance to βlactam antibiotics by opening the beta-lactam ring of penicillin derived antibiotics, and another family of antibiotics, rendering them inactive against the bacteria they are intended to kill. The ESBLs were first identified in 1939 and since then, they have proliferated worldwide and have been found in a number of different bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli among others. Th...
ABSTRACT In malaria endemic areas, fever is commonly caused by malaria infection but it may be a manifestation of several childhood diseases for example bacterial and viral illnesses. Malaria microscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis of malaria although other diagnostic platforms do exist for example rapid diagnostic tests. The World Health Organization recommends parasitological diagnosis by microscopy or rapid diagnostic test for all children under the age of 5 years. However, in malar...
ABSTRACT Multiple imputation procedure is used in handling of item non-response. The imputation procedure is affected by model misspecification and leads to loss in efficiency and biased results. The inclusion of auxiliary variables in the sampling design helps to avoid sensitivity of inference to model misspecification and improves the precision of estimate of population mean. The main aim of this study was to incorporate auxiliary variables in the Multiple Imputation to improve the accurac...
ABSTRACT Essential plant nutrients are necessary for plant growth, However, some of these nutrients are added as inorganic fertilizers due to high demand of food arising from fast growth in population which has necessitated the need to expand agricultural activities. This has lead to overuse of commercial inorganic fertilizers leading to drop in soil pH. Low pH reduces the availability of essential nutrients to plants and also low rate of decomposition of organic matter that is required to in...
ABSTRACT Rice is the third major food crop in Kenya and, its production is estimated at 129,000 tons which is below the annual national demand of 548,000 tons. Kenya rice yields per hectare are very low compared to major producers like China. Basmati (B) varieties, B370 and B217, are preferred by most rice consumers and are cultivated as a cash crop by 98.8% of Mwea rice farmers. This is because they have strong aroma. Due to the demand, basmati rice command high premium prices locally and in...
ABSTRACT The greater Taita community lives in crowded parcels of land that are intensely used to generate household food and family income. Wundanyi division which is the district headquarters is divided into Upper, Medium and Lower zones and has a high population density of 92 persons per Km2. Each household is estimated to generate 95 % of economic income from agriculture. High population, overdependence on agriculture and low income can have adverse effects on soil fertility. The objective...
ABSTRACT Fish contain omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s), vitamins and other micronutrients. However, fish and seafood rank among foods highly associated with food borne disease outbreaks especially in poor hygienic conditions while handling or processing foods. The objectives of this study were to determine the risk factors associated with fish contamination, levels of microbial contamination and molecular profiles of bacterial isolates. In addition, antimicrobial response patter...
ABSTRACT The study examines the effects of the „new‟ road safety regulations on the operations of PSVs in Nairobi. Specifically, the study sought to a) examine changes in the input and output of PSV in Nairobi, b) establish changes in the working conditions of PSV drivers and conductors, c) assess changes in the quality of service of public transport, and finally, d) examine the challenges and opportunities in implementing and enforcing the„new‟ regulations. The study was descriptive,...
ABSTRACT High concentrations of fluoride in drinking water pose serious problems associated with dental and skeletal fluorosis to humans in several parts of the world. Among various methods used for defluoridation such as electrochemical degradation, ion exchange, precipitation coagulation, adsorption offers an attractive method for the removal of fluoride in terms of cost, simplicity of design and operations. Silicon nitride is a material that is characterized by high mechanical strength, th...
ABSTRACT The increased environmental awareness, the world’s petroleum supply constraints and high petroleum fuel prices have spurred efforts in many countries to search for suitable alternatives to diesel fuels. Diesel fuels derived from triglycerides (vegetable oils or animal fats) present a promising alternative. In this study, oils extracted from four plants, Jatropha curcas L., Croton megalocarpus Hutch., Calodendrum capense (L.f.) Thunb. (cape chestnut) and Cocos nucifera L. (coconut) ...
ABSTRACT For a period spanning 50 years, research on the ranks, subdegrees and properties of suborbital graphs of various groups e.g. Sn , PSL(2, ), PSL(2,q) and PGL(2,q) has drawn the attention of several mathematicians. In this study, we find the ranks and subdegrees of the actions of the cyclic group, the dihedral group and the affine group on some given sets. In addition, the properties of suborbital graphs corresponding to these actions are examined. To do these, we adopt a method that r...
ABSTRACT Water as a resource in Kenya is increasingly being polluted as its population increases. Ingestion of heavy metal compounds poses great risks to human health since heavy metal ions can accumulate their amounts along the food chain. Therefore, it is necessary to remove or minimize the heavy metal ions in contaminated water. A number of methods are already in operation such as ion-exchange, chemical coagulation, electrochemical methods, membrane process, using natural zeolite, ultra-fi...