University of Nairobi

About: University of Nairobi is a education organization based out in Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 6702 authors who have published 10777 publications receiving 231294 citations. The organization is also known as: UoN & IAU-020319.

Population genetics of the potentially invasive African fruit fly species, Ceratitis rosa and Ceratitis fasciventris (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Abstract: A set of 10 microsatellite markers was used to survey the levels of genetic variability and to analyse the genetic aspects of the population dynamics of two potentially invasive pest fruit fly species, Ceratitis rosa and C. fasciventris, in Africa. The loci were derived from the closely related species, C. capitata. The degree of microsatellite polymorphism in C. rosa and C. fasciventris was extensive and comparable to that of C. capitata. In C. rosa, the evolution of microsatellite polymorphism in its distribution area reflects the colonization history of this species. The mainland populations are more polymorphic than the island populations. Low levels of differentiation were found within the Africa mainland area, while greater levels of differentiation affect the islands. Ceratitis fasciventris is a central–east African species. The microsatellite data over the Uganda/Kenya spatial scale suggest a recent expansion and possibly continuing gene flow within this area. The microsatellite variability data from C. rosa and C. fasciventris, together with those of C. capitata, support the hypothesis of an east African origin of the Ceratitis spp.

A Newly Found Jet in North Kenya (Turkana Channel)

Abstract: On the basis of recent pilot balloon observations which have become available in northern Kenya, it is shown that there exists a strong southeasterly low-level jet in the Turkana Channel which separates the Ethiopian Highlands the East African Highlands. The jet exists throughout the year, with speeds exceeding 30 m s−1 (60 kt) on a number of occasions and sometimes exceeding 50 m s−1 (100 kt). During February and March, the mean monthly winds based on the morning observations exceed 25 m s−1 (50 kt). The morning winds are stronger than afternoon winds, presumably due to stronger vertical mixing and dilution of the jet maximum in the afternoon. The hodograph turns in a counterclockwise direction from the lowest levels up to 0.75 km (2500 ft) above ground level and sometimes even aloft. Up to 0.45 km (1500 ft) above ground level, the hodograph manifests some of the characteristics of the Southern Hemisphere Ekman layer. This jet is different from the now well-known East African low-level jet (Find...

Porter’s five competitive forces framework and other factors that influence the choice of response strategies adopted by public universities in Kenya

Abstract: – The purpose of this paper is to establish the extent to which Porter’s five competitive forces (PFCF) framework, among other factors drive the choice of response strategies adopted by public universities in Kenya. , – The study design was descriptive and utilized a cross-sectional survey of all the public universities in Kenya by administering a structured questionnaire to the top management team. Additional primary data were collected through observations and interviews. Secondary data were also collected in order to corroborate the data collected from the primary sources. , – PFCF framework influenced the choice of response strategies adopted by the public universities “to a great extent”, the most influence being the threat from new entrants. The influence of the choice of response strategies by PFCF framework was independent of the age and category of the universities. Pressure from stakeholders, changes in government policies and regulations, reforms in higher education, unethical response strategies by some universities and university location also influenced the choice of response strategies. , – The study collected data from the top management team only; however, other stakeholders could have given additional information not reported here. Further, the research only considered public universities and not all higher education institutions (HEIs) in Kenya, and was cross-sectional, hence generalization and application of the results over a long time, respectively, may be limited. , – The value of this study lies in HEIs achieving a competitive advantage and shaping strategic policy direction in the face of changing environment and global commodification of higher education. , – Current public universities in Kenya have adopted a business-like approach in their operations in view of changing environment and have adopted coping strategies. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence the choice of response strategies is important for improvement of quality, efficiency and effectiveness as well as in policy formulation and serve as a guide to strategic management.

Pretreatment with natural flavones and neuronal cell survival after oxidative stress: a structure-activity relationship study.

Abstract: Quercetin shows structural features that have been related to the antioxidant potency of flavonoids and also shows neuroprotection in different models of oxidative death Because only a few studies have focused on the flavonoid structural requirements for neuroprotection, this work evaluated the protective capacity of 13 flavones structurally related to quercetin, isolated from Kenyan plants, to rescue primary cerebellar granule neurons from death induced by a treatment with 24 h of hydrogen peroxide (150 μM) Each flavone (0−100 μM) was applied 24 h prior to the oxidative insult, and neuronal viability was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay Results suggest that the o-dihydroxy substitution in the B-ring is not necessary to afford neuroprotection and could be partly responsible for neurotoxic effects Furthermore, the hydroxy substitutions in the positions C3 (C-ring) in C5 and C7 (A-ring) would be important for neuroprotection in this model