Abstract Soap is sodium or potassium salt of fatty acid produced by saponification reaction. Soap is used on a day to day basis by households. The physicochemical properties of soaps determine their quality and hence determine their efficiency and their cleansing properties. It remains obscure the quality of the soaps that are sold in the local markets in Kenya and thus the need to assess them. Eight commercial washing soaps were analyzed for Matter insoluble in alcohol, moisture content, tot...
ABSTRACT Bio-fuels are fuels derived from biological materials or their by-products such as agricultural waste. A study was carried out to assess the production of bio-fuel (bioethanol) from some hydrolyzed agricultural wastes using yeast species isolated from Cola acuminata, Ipomoea batatas, Manihot esculenta, Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum bicolor, Solanum tuberosum, Zea mays and palmwine (from Elaeis guineensis). Eight yeast species including Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis strain A, Cand...
ABSTRACT The use of chemical herbicide in the management of aquatic weeds does not only constitute environmental and health problem but its cost and its non-specific nature calls for the use of biological control agents. An investigation was conducted into the probable use of indigenous fungi as potential mycoherbicides for water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) control. Trips were made to Badagry Creeks, Mile 2 and Lagos Lagoon in Lagos State and Ogun river in Isheri, Ogun state to collect sa...
Abstract The study of duality properties of the spaces of analytic functions contin- ues to attract the attention of many mathematicians. Most studies have concentrated on the re exive Hardy and Bergman spaces both on the unit disk and the upper half-plane. For instance, Zhu, Peloso, among others have determined the duality properties of Hardy and Bergman spaces. For the non-re exive Bergman spaces of the disk, it was proved by Axler that the dual and the predual are identied as big and littl...
ABSTRACT Solar radiation energy incident on a collector can be converted into electricity using PV cells or thermal energy by means of solar thermal collectors. Solar radiation intensity is sometimes lower than required for suitable applications, hence needs to be concentrated. Solar radiation concentration can be done by mirrors or lenses to obtain higher temperatures and thermal energy required for appropriate applications such as heating, drying, cooking and other industrial applications. ...
ABSTRACT Public Universities in Kenya are key players in the training of physics teachers through the Bachelor of Education (Science) programme. However, the training is in need of reforms due to changes in content, educational media and technology in teaching of secondary school physics. Reviews of the programme in public universities have focused on content with little attention to methodology. Further, there is lack of coordination in key areas of training among the universities yet; secon...
ABSTRACT Fish farming is now a major source of global and local fish requirements of food, raw materials, income and ecological considerations supplementing the dwindling output from the wild waters. Several systems are now in place including use of earthen, concrete, liner ponds and race ways. Earthen ponds are of major concern as they mainly depend on natural stream water sources. The ponds release their effluents containing elevated levels of nutrients as a result of fertilizers and feeds ...
ABSTRACT HIV/AIDS epidemic has endangered the development of countries in this new century, presenting one of the greatest challenges of this generation and threatening human development. To accomplish an efficient response requires many researches to find long term solutions. Though its prevalence has declined in the past years, it is still very high in particular regions due to various factors. This research analysed major factors associated with HIV/AIDS prevalence in Maseno Community. If ...
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...