ConfBits: A Web Based Conference Management System

ConfBits is a Web-based Conference Management System (CMS) developed to aid effective organization and management of professional, academic and technical conferences. The web based application is an object-oriented and multi-conferences platform that is made up of four major actors which are authors, reviewers, administrators (otherwise known as Program Committee (PC) chair) and participants. Conference organizers in any Anglophone country can subscribe to the platform via the Internet to access and utilize the different features which include; abstract and full paper submissions, assignment of papers to reviewers, sending email notifications to authors and reviewers, participants management and conference program scheduling. The prototype of the platform is already deployed on the Internet and the trial Universal Resource Locator (URL) is www.cucms.com.ng. From our review of existing online CMSs, ConfBits (although still at a prototype stage) is the first of such system from a developing clime. We hope the platform will serve to bridge the hitherto wide digital divide between the developed and developing nations especially with respect to scholarly online content

Incidence, causes and phenotypes of acute seizures in Kenyan children post the malaria-decline period

BACKGROUND: Acute seizures are a common cause of paediatric admissions to hospitals in Africa, and malaria is an important cause of seizures in endemic areas. Malaria has declined in the past decade whilst neonatal admissions have increased, both which may affect the incidence and phenotypes of acute seizures in African children. METHODS: We examined the effect of recent decline in malaria and the increasing burden of neonatal admissions on the incidence, causes and phenotypes of acute seizures admitted to hospital from 2009–2013. We used logistic regression to measure associations and Poisson regression to calculate the incidence and rate ratios. RESULTS: The overall incidence of acute seizures over the 5-year period was 312 per 100,000/year (95 % CI, 295–329): 116 per 100,000/year (95 % CI, 106–127) for complex seizures and 443 per 100,000 live births (95 % CI, 383–512) for neonatal seizures. Over the period, there was an increase in incidence of seizures-attributable to malaria (SAM) (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.25; p < 0.001), but neither non-SAM (IRR = 1.03; p = 0.569) nor neonatal seizures (IRR = 0.99; p = 0.905). Important causes of acute seizures were malaria (33 %) and respiratory tract infections (19 %); and for neonatal seizures were neonatal sepsis (51 %), hypoglycemia (41 %) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (21 %). Mortality occurred in 6 % of all acute seizures, being more common in complex seizures (8 %) and neonatal seizures (10 %) than other seizures (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Acute seizures remain common in children despite a decline in the incidence of malaria; suggesting that causes for these seizures need to be prevented in the community

Effect of Buyer-Suppliers Relationships on Buying Firm Competitiveness in Medium and Large Scale Hotels and Restaurants in Nakuru Municipality

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of buyer-suppliers relationships on the buying firm competitiveness in medium and large scale hotels and restaurants in Nakuru municipality in relation to trust and commitment. The study was guided by resource based view theory (RBV) which encourages sharing of resources and building long-term relationships between buyers and suppliers to ensure that both parties achieve competitive advantage. Explanatory research design was used in this study because it analyses the cause-effect relationship. Census survey technique was employed in picking respondents for the study. Data was collected from a sample of 162 purchasing officers. Five point Likert type of questionnaire was used to solicit primary data. The data analysis methods used were descriptive and inferential statistics, utilizing a multiple regression analysis model. the findings of this study indicated that both trust and commitement in buyer –supplier relationship postively and sinficantly affect firm competitiveness.The study concludes that there is a clear link between the relationship the buyer firm has with its major suppliers and its competitive position in its customer market. Therefore, it’s recommended for a buying firm to establish and develop positive relationships with its major suppliers. Keywords: Buyer, Supplier, Trust, Commitment, Firm Competitivenes

Dynamic Measurements with Scanning Probe Microscopy: Surface Studies Using Nanostructured Test Platforms of Metalloporphyrins, Nanoparticles and Amyloid Fibrils

A hybrid imaging mode for characterization of magnetic nanomaterials has been developed, using atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with electromagnetic sample actuation. Instead of using a coated AFM probe as a magnetic sensor; our strategy is to use a nonmagnetic probe with contact mode AFM to characterize the vibration of magnetic and superparamagnetic nanomaterials responding to the flux of an AC electromagnetic field. We refer to the hybrid imaging mode as magnetic sample modulation (MSM-AFM). An oscillating magnetic field is produced by applying an AC current to a wire coil solenoid placed under the sample stage for tuning selected parameters of driving frequency and strength of the magnetic field. When the AC field is on, the AFM probe is scanned in contact with the sample to sense periodic changes in the force and motion of vibrating nanomaterials. With MSM, responses of both the amplitude and phase signal along with spatial maps of the topography channel can be collected simultaneously. A requirement for MSM is that the samples can be free to vibrate, yet remain attached to the surface. Particle lithography was used to prepare well-defined test platforms of ring structures of magnetic or superparamagnetic nanomaterials. Capillary filling of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds was applied to generate stripes of FeNi3 nanoparticles with microscale dimensions as test platforms. The MSM-AFM imaging mode was used successfully to characterize nanomaterials of FeNi3 nanoparticles, cobalt nanoparticles, octa-substituted porphyrin nanocrystals and ionic liquid nanoGUMBOS with dimensions ranging from 1 to 200 nm. Dynamic MSM-AFM measurements can be obtained by placing the tip on a vibrating nanoparticle and sweeping the frequency or field strength. Changes in frequency spectra and vibrational amplitude can be mapped for nanoparticles of different sizes, shapes and composition. The MSM-AFM imaging mode provides a useful tool for investigating changes in size dependent magnetic properties of materials at the nanoscale. Samples of designed amyloid proteins were characterized ex situ using scanning probe microscopy. The progressive growth and fibrillization of amyloid â over extended time intervals was visualized with high resolution using AFM

Architecture, Craftwork & Empowerment: A Craft Center for Maasai Women in Kajiado, Kenya.

Women's work is vital to the survival of impoverished households and a key ingredient in the sustenance of local communities. In developing countries, and especially in their rural areas, weak job markets, gender inequality issues, lack of education, insufficient technology, and limited skill capacity altogether undermine women's abilities to engage in activities that would promote and sustain their economic well-being. This thesis seeks to employ architecture and design as a tool that could improve the lives of rural women by supporting and enhancing their economic ventures. Focus will be given to the Maasai community of Kajiado, an arid region in East Africa, Kenya, where women face additional challenges posed by the harsh climatic conditions. These Maasai women have been doing beautiful, colorful beadwork for generations. The ornaments produced are worn to express their cultural identity, celebrate ceremonies and signify their social status within the community. In a desperate effort to earn an income to support their families, Kajiado women have tried to sell their products to local and international communities. However, poor business and marketing skills, lack of proper guidance and innovation, limited access to financial advice and support encumber their creative endeavors. This thesis project proposes a craft center in Kajiado that would host facilities and programs which would preserve, promote and progress Maasai bead-working with the aim of strengthening the women's social and economic capacity. `Women working in the informal sector are unrealized potentials trapped in poverty. It is essential to provide an enabling environment and skills to pull them out of poverty.' UND

Comparison of staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage by patients and healthcare workers in selected dialysis centers in Nairobi and neighbouring counties

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a significant pathogen that causes both community and hospital acquired infections. The burden of S. aureus morbidity and mortality is disproportionately high in patients with end stage kidney disease undergoing dialysis. With the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases leading to end stage renal disease and dialysis, the impact of S. aureus infections is projected to rise. Knowledge of nasal carriage of S. aureus and their antibiotic resistance profiles is essential in improving patient care through planning of infection prevention and control strategies as well as formulating appropriate empiric antibiotic guidelines. The aim of this study was to provide this knowledge. Methods: The study was a prospective, multi-centre cross sectional study conducted in various dialysis centres in Nairobi and the surrounding counties of Machakos and Kiambu. Nasal swabs were taken from consenting patients and healthcare workers as well as information on recent antibiotic use, recent hospitalisation and duration of exposure. Nasal swabs were cultured at AKUHN within 8 hours and growth of S. aureus was determined through morphological and biochemical characteristics. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done thereafter through broth micro dilution technique on the VITEK-2® platform, (BioMérieux, France). A questionnaire assessing hand hygiene knowledge was also administered to consenting healthcare workers. Comparison of proportions between HCW vi and haemodialysis patients was done with the Chi-square test and antibiotic resistance patterns was analysed with percentages of susceptibilities tabulated. Results: A total of 413 participants were enrolled into the study. This consisted of 141 healthcare workers and 272 patients. Nasal carriage of S. aureus was detected in 54(19.9%) patients and 26 (18.4%) healthcare workers. There was no statistical difference in nasal carriage rate between the two groups. Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was found in 9 (11.2% of all S. aureus) participants all of whom were patients. The mean score on the hand hygiene questionnaire was 50% among doctors, 52% among nurses and 49.5% among the other healthcare workers. Discussion: The rate of S. aureus colonisation is comparable to local data but is lower than what is reported from other parts of Africa. The prevalence of MRSA nasal carriage was comparable to a previous local study in the healthcare worker group. MRSA nasal carriage in the patient group was lower than regional studies on the same population. Conclusion: The carriage of MRSA isolates exclusively by patients in this study highlights the need for heightened infection prevention and control to prevent the spread in these high risk patients. Nevertheless, the relatively low MRSA carriage rate does not support the use of narrow spectrum antibiotics such as Vancomycin as empiric treatment for suspected S. aureus infections in dialysis patients in Nairobi and surrounding counties

COMPATIBILITY OF MENUS TO CHILDREN’S NEEDS IN SELECTED HOTELS IN NAIROBI, KENYA

This paper examined the compatibility of hotel menus to children’s needs. The study used a survey research design. Simple random sampling was used to select the respondents from the target population. The target population comprised of hotel employees, parents and children. Data was collected using questionnaires and non-participant observations were occasionally employed to supplement the information that was captured by the questionnaire. Data was cleaned, analyzed quantitatively and presented using frequency tables and graphs. The findings revealed that many Kenyan hotels do not have identified children’s menus thus children are left to eat from adult menus which totally vary in presentation, nutrition, portion sizes and also in delivery. The population of children is therefore left without many choices as they seem to be a forgotten lot. It is therefore recommended that hotels provide foods compatible to children in terms of texture, presentation, nutrient content and color so as to encourage them to eat as well as enjoy their meals. In addition hotels should offer special feeding facilities for the children to enable them get pleasure from their feeding experience and also employ trained employees in their food production to cater for children. Key words: Children, Compatibility, Hotel, Menu, Nairobi, Keny

Minimal effect of honey beehive fences on native bee diversity and abundance at the farm scale during the dry season in southern Kenya

Beehive fences are an effective solution to resolve conflicts between humans and crop-raiding elephants in Kenya. They produce win-win scenarios; elephants are protected from aggression from humans as they are deterred from crop raiding, while farmers benefit from crop protection, pollination, and valuable products from maintaining honeybee hives. However, artificially increasing the density of these super-generalist pollinators in the landscape may impact wild bee species as honeybees may out-compete them for floral resources. We studied bee communities in Sagalla, Kenya, where beehive fences have been implemented for crop protection for many years. Despite the long-term presence of the beehive fences, honeybee densities were low when the study was conducted because of a severe drought and did not differ between beehive and control fences in our collections. When we compared farms with and without beehive fences, we found little difference in the abundance, species richness, and community composition of the resident wild bee communities. This suggests either (a) beehive fences have little permanent impact on wild bee communities, or (b) wild bee communities recover quickly when honeybee densities are low

Investigation of in vitro prostate-specific membrane antigen expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast tumour cells

National Research Foundationhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/18ZHR2pTZ3kocMdmAHy2_xOoICb-01e3T/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XKJ5RaIFxQX6cH8epnd5PRiRe412-W4b?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pSta6YT69dR4AmQ8CLEP9fPauw9ovUFV?usp=sharin

Moderating Effect of Corporate Governance on the Relationship between Social Sustainability Reporting and Firm Value: Evidence from the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effect of corporate governance on the relationship between social sustainability reporting and firm value among companies listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya. Methodology: The study's target population include all 64 NSE-listed companies. The study employed secondary data collected by the use of the annual reports sourced from NSE and firms’ websites for eleven (11) years from 2012-2022. Content analysis technique was employed for the collection of secondary data using data collection sheets. This research used a longitudinal research approach and correlation research design. Results: &nbsp;The study found that social sustainability reporting had an insignificant effect on firm value among companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Additionally, corporate governance was shown to have no significant moderating influence on the relationship between social sustainability reporting and firm value. Conclusion/Implication: These findings suggest that companies should reconsider the relevance and quality of their social sustainability reports to better align with stakeholder expectations. Enhanced transparency and storytelling regarding social impacts are necessary to improve investor engagemen