Abstract/Overview ApolipoproteinL1 (APOL1) protects humans and some primates against several African trypanosomes. APOL1 genetic variants strongly associated with kidney disease in African Americans have additional trypanolytic activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the cause of acute African sleeping sickness. We combined genetic, physiological, and biochemical studies to explore coevolution between the APOL1 gene and trypanosomes. We analyzed the APOL1 sequence in modern and a...
Abstract/Overview Schistosomes and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) (hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides) are widely distributed in developing countries where they infect over 230 million and 1.5 billion people, respectively. The parasites are frequently co-endemic and many individuals are co-infected with two or more of the species, but information on how the parasites interact in co-infected individuals is scarce. The present study assessed Schistosoma haematobium and...
Abstract/Overview The paper uses the DEA technique to estimate efficiency scores in Kenyan public hospitals and then applies the Tobit regression to study inter-hospital variation in the scores. The DEA analysis reveals that small hospitals are more efficient than large hospitals, with efficiency levels ranging from 74-91% in small DMUs and from 57-78% in large DMUs. Tobit regression analysis shows efficiency scores are negatively correlated with the hospital’s distance from the manager...
Abstract/Overview Liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary cancer of the liver and the fifth cause of mortality world-wide. It is a global public health problem which is poorly addressed in the developing countries. Data on prevalence and incidence is scanty leading to inability to predict the burden of HCC in the developing world and this leads to poor policy framework for management and control of HCC. More-over, management and control of HCC is poorly add...
Abstract/Overview During the Later Iron Age period in Kenya, communities that built structures known in the local language as ohingni (singular - ohinga)' occupied the Lake Victoria region in south-western Kenya. The term refers to both stone-built and earth-built settlement enclosures widely distributed in the Nyanza region, that were abandoned before and during the colonial period. Their distribution and contents, in terms of archaeological remains and use of space, indicate that they w...
Abstract Girls’ retention in schools has been found to be a major challenge. Failure to retain girlsin secondary schools can be considered as a waste of potential human resources andmoney spend on them in primary education and time lost in sending them to schoolin the first place. These girls may become a breed of illiterate women who are lessproductive economically, socially and politically. Among the critical contemporary socialissues affecting many countries is teenage pregnancies. This...
This is an industrial attachment report done at Kenya Marine Fisheries and Research Institute (KMFRI).
Abstract Traditional financial forecasting methods often struggle to capture the complex interactions and emerging patterns that precede financial crises. By leveraging on TDA, this research aims to uncover potential topological features that might serve as early warning signals for impending financial crises. The study adopts the utilization of Topological Data Analysis, an initiative mathematical framework to explore and analyze the inherent topological structures within financial data set...
Abstract The relationship between government revenue and economic growth is a debate that has existed for a long time in the living history.Government revenue impacts economic growth differently within different regions. Some researchers argue that government revenue positively affects economic growth while others argue that the relationship is negative. However, minimal literature exists exploring the relationship between the two variables at country specific level. The objective of this st...
Abstract Rainfall patterns play a critical role in shaping various aspects of our lives. Understanding the patterns, trends and predictability of rainfall is essential for effective planning and decision making in various aspects including agriculture, water resource management, disaster preparedness and social economic planning. In agricultural activities crops require specific amount of water at the right time for growth. By understanding the rainfall patterns, farmers can adapt their farm...
Abstract The aim of food labels is to inform consumers on the food content. The information conveyed on food labels has evolved over time thus the objectives of food labelling have become numerous. Despite the recognized association of food labels utilization and disease management, the current global mortality rate from diabetes mellitus and hypertension remains high. In order for the prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus and hypertension to reduce, population-wide interventions including th...
Abstract Hyphaene compressa is an economically important palm in Africa. Despite its significant role in the livelihoods of rural communities, the diversity of doum palm is poorly documented and studied. In addition, it has no model descriptor that can aid such studies. Ninety H. compressa accessions collected from Northern, Eastern, and Coastal regions of Kenya were examined to determine the morphological variability of the vegetative and fruit traits of H. compressa and to identify its mor...
Abstract A gradual shift to biofuels development was considered advantageous in reducing the pollution and other challenges associated with fossil fuels. Specifically, biodiesel production is one of those options prioritized in the literature. Herein, we demonstrated how a modified activated charcoal sample and chromium oxide can catalyze the upgrading of groundnut oil into fuel-grade biodiesel at the laboratory scale via trans-esterification with methanol. The charcoal-based catalyst was ...
ABSTRACT The online rental system is a web-based platform designed to facilitate the process of renting various goods and services over the internet. It provides a convenient and efficient way for individuals and businesses to connect, negotiate, and engage in rental transactions. The system offers a user-friendly interface that allows renters to browse through a wide range of available items or services, such as vehicles, equipment, properties, and more. Users can search for specific rentals...
This research focuses on enhancing the optimization process of the classical ground state energy for hydrogen molecules, which is known to be -1.1373 Ha. Various well-known optimization algorithms such as Gradient Descent Optimizer, Adagrad Optimizer, Adam Optimizer, RMSProp Optimizer, and Momentum Optimizer are employed to explore their convergence behavior and their proximity to the precise ground state energy. The analysis extends to examining potential energy curves to gain insights into ...