Activity of MG-192 Against in Vitro Cultures of Infective Trypanosome Species and its Acute Toxicity Effects in Mice.

Trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by parasites of the Trypanosoma genus. The parasites are transmitted by the bite of an infected tsetse fly, resulting in human and animal disease

Effect of Social Media Marketing On Consumer Loyalty in the Banking Industry: A Case of Equity Bank

A Research Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree Masters in Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of social media marketing on customer loyalty at Equity Bank in Kenya. This study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the effects of social media tool used on consumer’s brand loyalty, to determine the elements consumers look for in social media marketing message and to determine how social media can be used as a means to increase consumer loyalty to brand. The study employed a descriptive survey design. Purposive and simple random sampling was adapted to select the 138 respondents although only 94 responded. The data collected was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics by employing Statistical Package for Social Scientists and presented using frequencies tables, bar graphs and tables. On analysis of the first objective it was established that majority use social media site to get answers, and use of brand positioning in social media has helped many remember the brand. It was also established that social media site has enabled many users create a strong bond with equity bank as well as exchange information with other online users. Use social media sites to regularly has enabled many respondents to engage with online friends and meet new people. Social media site has also influenced brand awareness, communication with customers. Online reviews have also affected perception on product quality. On analysis of the second objective majority of the respondents strongly agreed that they use Equity social media site because it enables them to exchange information with other online users along common areas of interest e.g. through online chats, it was also established that and equity bank promotes its products and services online. In addition, respondents agreed that they did not like using Equity social networking site because it was not easy to interact with, the message is not clear and understandable, and they get recommendations/views from friends first before buying or using any product or services. On analysis of the third objective it was established that majority of the respondents strongly agreed that Equity offers timely feedback on their social media site, Equity also offers transparency on their social media site and it was easy to access equity social media. Many also claimed to use Equity banks social media site because they post effective informative. It was also noted that the bank has an online reward program, and many preferred online friends to equity social media site because they offer their online freebies/discounts. Many use of equity’s social media has enabled many create a social network, although information gotten from equity’s social media site is trustworthy. The study concluded that Social media site offer valid information to consumers especially from an organization site this has also aided in brand positioning in social media that has helped respondents remember the brand. Social media site help create a strong bond with organizations and facilitate exchange of information with other online users. Equity bank use social media site to exchange information with other online users along common areas of interest. In addition, recommendations/views from friend forms the first area of reference before buying or using any product or services. Social media sites are timely, transparency and easy to access. Many organizations also use social media site because they post effective informative and use of equity’s social media has enabled respondents create a social network. It was recommended that Institutions need to continuously use Social media site to offer valid information to consumers especially from an organization site. This should be used to create a strong bond with organizations. Equity bank need to ensure that the information available is relevant so as to facilitate exchange with other online users. The bank also need to ensure that the site is easy to navigate and download content, as well as prompt feedback to the consumer. The bank need to continuously utilize social media sites due to their timeliness, transparency and ease of access. The firm also needs to utilize social media site to post effective information and use of equity’s social media has enabled respondents to create a social network so as to attract more attention from other social media users. For Further Studies it was recommended that there is a need to expound this study to other banks so as to be able to generalize the findings

Disability Demographics Factors and Employment Inclusivity: A Study of Persons with Disabilities in 4-5 Star Hotels in Mombasa City County, Kenya

World Health Organization statistics indicates that the average employment rate for PLWDS is 44%. The hospitality business faces difficulties in hiring PWDs because it is a labour-intensive sector that requires able-bodied human resources. This study's goal was to evaluate the impact of disability demographic factors on employment inclusivity of PWDs in hotels in Mombasa city county Kenya. A mixed research design was used.  The study was underpinned by the theory of change, social oppression theory and the resource-based theory of competitive advantage. The target population was 106 participants from selected hotels and organizations in charge of disability persons;16 general managers, 16 HRM managers, 32 F&B managers, 16 executive housekeepers, 16 front office managers,1 county PWDs regional coordinator, 1 skills development and placement officer from the MLSP, Mombasa county and 8 PWDs. The population was eventually sampled using a combination of purposive, stratified and census sampling methods. The sample size comprised of all the 106 participants. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and observation methods. The results were analysed using content analysis, descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation and multiple regression. Moderation was tested using Process Macro Hayes model 1. The results produced insignificant results that indicate that demographic factors (B=.141, p=.102) had not been able to positively and significantly influence the employment inclusivity of PWDs in Kenyan hotels. The most underlying factor that contributed to these findings is the lack of knowledge, awareness, and skills to develop an inclusive work environment, implement by employers. Therefore, this study recommends that stakeholders such as training institutions, policy and regulatory frameworks and industry should build capacity by carrying out intensive sensitization campaigns. Keywords: Disability Demographics, Employment Inclusivity, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Hospitality Industry, Mombasa City Count

African women and young people as agriculture service providers—business models, benefits, gaps and opportunities

Abstract We use a combination of a global desk review of the literature with information from an on-going action research in Kenya to provide insights into the main characteristics, benefits and shortfalls of business models for engaging women and young people in agricultural service provision in Africa. The findings demonstrate that the engagement of African women and young people in agricultural service provision is not a panacea to the challenges they face. However various business models have been successful in contributing to economic empowerment, to increasing entrepreneurial activities and to upskilling of women and young people engaged as service providers. Business models that are successful are place-based and people-focused, market-driven and focused on value chains. Challenges however abound due to various factors, hence for sustainability there is need for multi-sectoral inter-institutional collaboration that pulls in funding and which makes a case for private sector buy-in. Future research should focus on increasing the evidence base to understand if successes with inclusion of women and young people in agricultural service provision has an influence on emerging agricultural policy. Research should also rigorously assess the extent to which successful agricultural service provision business models are engendered, provide sufficient levels of renumeration and the extent to which they impact farmer outcomes

Genetic guidelines for translocations:Maintaining intraspecific diversity in the lion (<i>Panthera leo</i>)

Conservation translocations have become an important management tool, particularly for large wildlife species such as the lion (Panthera leo). When planning translocations, the genetic background of populations needs to be taken into account; failure to do so risks disrupting existing patterns of genetic variation, ultimately leading to genetic homogenization, and thereby reducing resilience and adaptability of the species. We urge wildlife managers to include knowledge of the genetic background of source/target populations, as well as species‐wide patterns, in any management intervention. We present a hierarchical decision‐making tool in which we list 132 lion populations/lion conservation units and provide information on genetic assignment, uncertainty and suitability for translocation for each source/target combination. By including four levels of suitability, from ‘first choice’ to ‘no option’, we provide managers with a range of options. To illustrate the extent of international trade of lions, and the potential disruption of natural patterns of intraspecific diversity, we mined the CITES Trade Database for estimated trade quantities of live individuals imported into lion range states during the past 4 decades. We identified 1056 recorded individuals with a potential risk of interbreeding with wild lions, 772 being captive‐sourced. Scoring each of the records with our decision‐making tool illustrates that only 7% of the translocated individuals were ‘first choice’ and 73% were ‘no option’. We acknowledge that other, nongenetic factors are important in the decision‐making process, and hence a pragmatic approach is needed. A framework in which source/target populations are scored based on suitability is not only relevant to lion, but also to other species of wildlife that are frequently translocated. We hope that the presented overview supports managers to include genetics in future management decisions and contributes towards conservation of the lion in its full diversity

Genetic guidelines for translocations : maintaining intraspecific diversity in the lion (Panthera leo)

Conservation translocations have become an important management tool, particularly for large wildlife species such as the lion (Panthera leo). When planning translocations, the genetic background of populations needs to be taken into account; failure to do so risks disrupting existing patterns of genetic variation, ultimately leading to genetic homogenization, and thereby reducing resilience and adaptability of the species. We urge wildlife managers to include knowledge of the genetic background of source/target populations, as well as species-wide patterns, in any management intervention. We present a hierarchical decision-making tool in which we list 132 lion populations/lion conservation units and provide information on genetic assignment, uncertainty and suitability for translocation for each source/target combination. By including four levels of suitability, from ‘first choice’ to ‘no option’, we provide managers with a range of options. To illustrate the extent of international trade of lions, and the potential disruption of natural patterns of intraspecific diversity, we mined the CITES Trade Database for estimated trade quantities of live individuals imported into lion range states during the past 4 decades. We identified 1056 recorded individuals with a potential risk of interbreeding with wild lions, 772 being captive-sourced. Scoring each of the records with our decision-making tool illustrates that only 7% of the translocated individuals were ‘first choice’ and 73% were ‘no option’. We acknowledge that other, nongenetic factors are important in the decision-making process, and hence a pragmatic approach is needed. A framework in which source/target populations are scored based on suitability is not only relevant to lion, but also to other species of wildlife that are frequently translocated. We hope that the presented overview supports managers to include genetics in future management decisions and contributes towards conservation of the lion in its full diversity.http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/evahj2022Mammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog