Chuka University

The Mount Kenya forest ecosystem (MKFE), a crucial biodiversity hotspot and one of Kenya’s key water towers, is increasingly threatened by climate change, putting its ecological integrity and vital ecosystem services at risk. Understanding the interactions between climate extremes and forest dynamics is essential for conservation planning, especially in the Mount Kenya Forest Ecosystem (MKFE), where rising temperatures and erratic rainfall are altering vegetation patterns, reducing forest resilience, and threatening both biodiversity and water security. This study integrates remote sensing and machine learning to assess historical vegetation changes and predict areas at risk in the future. Landsat imagery from 2000 to 2020 was used to derive vegetation indices comprising the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and Bare Soil Index (BSI). Climate variables, including extreme precipitation and temperature indices, were extracted from CHIRPS and ERA5 datasets. Machine learning models, including Random Forest (RF), XGBoost, and Support Vector Machines (SVM), were trained to assess climate-vegetation relationships and predict future vegetation dynamics under the SSP245 climate scenario using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) downscaled projections. The RF model achieved high accuracy (R² = 0.82, RMSE = 0.15) in predicting the dynamics of vegetation conditions. Model projections show a 49–55% decline in EVI across forest areas by 2040, with the most pronounced losses likely in lower montane zones, which are more sensitive to climate-induced vegetation stress. Results emphasize the critical role of precipitation in sustaining forest health and highlight the urgent need for adaptive management strategies, including afforestation, sustainable land-use planning, and policy-driven conservation efforts. This study provides a scalable framework for modelling climate impacts on forest ecosystems globally and offers actionable insights for policymakers.

Background Nurses comprise the dominant cadre of healthcare workers yet there remains an acute shortage of nurses globally with Africa most affected. However, access to higher nursing education in sub-Saharan Africa remains limited. We aimed to i) Assess the need for a Master of Nursing (MScN) program among graduate nurses in Kenya ii) Identify preferred MScN program options among graduate nurses intending to enrol for MScN in Kenya iii) Identify skills mismatch among graduate nurses in Kenya iv) Assess the relationship between intention to enrol in MScN program and job satisfaction among graduate nurses in Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional design employing an online survey was used. Consenting nurses with a first degree in nursing were included. Socio-demographic indicators, job satisfaction and skills mismatch were assessed. The need for an MScN program was assessed by determining the proportion of participants who expressed the desire to pursue an MScN program. Preferred MScN program options were determined as frequencies and proportions. Skills mismatch was computed as frequencies and proportions. The relationship between the need for MScN and job satisfaction was assessed using the point biserial-correlation. Results Of the 355 volunteers enrolled, (n = 337, 94.9% [95% CI: 92.1–96.9]) expressed the desire to pursue MScN training with the critical care/renal specialty (n = 84, 24.9% [95% CI: 20.3–29.9]) being the most preferred. A majority of the volunteers (n = 319, 89.9%) felt their skills were inferior to their responsibilities (under skilled). We found no significant correlation between the need for MScN and job satisfaction (r = 0.058; p = 0.269). Conclusion Our findings suggest a strong desire by graduate nurses in Kenya to pursue MScN with a preference for critical care specialization. There is a need to establish more MScN programs in Kenya coupled with the deployment of nurses as per the scope of practice.

Global climate change is projected to disproportionately impact cereal crop yields in developing regions, such as Kenya, due to increased vulnerability and limited adaptation capacity of the population. This study examines the current and projected influence of climate change on maize yields in two major maize-producing counties of Kenya. Utilizing the calibrated and evaluated DSSAT-CERES-Maize model (where DSSAT is Decision Support Systems for Agrotechnology Transfer and CERES stands for Crop and Environment REsource Synthesis) for the H614 maize cultivar, we investigated the projected impact of climate change on maize production with reference to a baseline period (1984–2013). Simulations were conducted for the mid-century period (2041–2070) and end-of-century period (2071–2100) using projected climate data from regional climate models (RCMs) under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs; 4.5 and 8.5) scenarios. Our findings indicate a substantial decline in maize yields, ranging from 7 to 20% for the mid-century period and between 22 and 41% for the end-of-century period, with increased temperature during critical growth phases identified as the primary driver. Spatial clustering and hotspot analysis reveal differential climate impacts across the region. In the end-of-century period, both scenarios revealed that the counties will be marked by hotspots and adaptation spots, areas where climate change adaptation should be intensified. The study underscores the urgency for tailored, location-specific adaptation measures such as maize-legume intercropping, drought-resistant crops, soil water conservation and optimum sowing to mitigate future yield losses and adapt maize production to climate change.

Climate change is expected to significantly affect agricultural production in East Africa (EA). In this study, we synthesized the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model calibrated and evaluated experiments to analyze the sensitivity of climatic variables on maize yield in the region. We used calibrated cultivar coefficients of locally adopted varieties in twelve sites across the region. Consequently, we generated synthetic scenarios of precipitation and temperature changes in line with the plausible projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to characterize the impact of climate change on maize production across the region. Our findings reveal that the impacts of climate change are heterogeneous and vary from location to location. The analysis points to adverse effects in the semi-arid zones, with maize production in Katumani (Kenya), Dodoma (Tanzania), and Ruzizi (Rwanda) expected to decline by -25% to -30% under an extreme temperature rise of +3 °C and a 30% decline in precipitation. The results also reveal that increased precipitation will compensate for yield losses resulting from elevated temperatures in both arid and humid zones. The potential yield gain under increased precipitation and warming is 16%, 18%, and 5% in Katumani, Dodoma, and Morogoro (Tanzania), respectively. The study recommends site-specific soil, water, and land management adaptation strategies. Strategies for soil and water conservation are recommended for dry regions, whereas approaches such as varying sowing dates are recommended for semi-humid to humid zones. Nutrient enhancement and cultivar variation might be feasible in both contexts.

Background Nurses comprise the dominant cadre of healthcare workers yet there remains an acute shortage of nurses globally with Africa most affected. However, access to higher nursing education in sub-Saharan Africa remains limited. We aimed to i) Assess the need for a Master of Nursing (MScN) program among graduate nurses in Kenya ii) Identify preferred MScN program options among graduate nurses intending to enrol for MScN in Kenya iii) Identify skills mismatch among graduate nurses in Kenya iv) Assess the relationship between intention to enrol in MScN program and job satisfaction among graduate nurses in Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional design employing an online survey was used. Consenting nurses with a first degree in nursing were included. Socio-demographic indicators, job satisfaction and skills mismatch were assessed. The need for an MScN program was assessed by determining the proportion of participants who expressed the desire to pursue an MScN program. Preferred MScN program options were determined as frequencies and proportions. Skills mismatch was computed as frequencies and proportions. The relationship between the need for MScN and job satisfaction was assessed using the point biserial-correlation. Results Of the 355 volunteers enrolled, (n = 337, 94.9% [95% CI: 92.1–96.9]) expressed the desire to pursue MScN training with the critical care/renal specialty (n = 84, 24.9% [95% CI: 20.3–29.9]) being the most preferred. A majority of the volunteers (n = 319, 89.9%) felt their skills were inferior to their responsibilities (under skilled). We found no significant correlation between the need for MScN and job satisfaction (r = 0.058; p = 0.269). Conclusion Our findings suggest a strong desire by graduate nurses in Kenya to pursue MScN with a preference for critical care specialization. There is a need to establish more MScN programs in Kenya coupled with the deployment of nurses as per the scope of practice.

This study explored the land use and land cover (LULC) changes (1995–2023) in the gold mining hotspots of Mang’onyi, Sambaru, and Londoni in the Singida region of Tanzania. The study integrated remote sensing (RS) to evaluate the LULC transitions with social survey assessments (83 respondents) to determine the resident’s perceptions of the environmental, social, and economic implications of mining bridging technical data with socio-economic realities. Supervised classification of Landsat images was conducted using the random forest (RF) classifier to generate LULC maps with five classes (bareland, agricultural land, forest, built-up, and shrubs and grasses), followed by an analysis to identify LULC change trends. The results showed an overall increase in agricultural land 168.51 km² (587.55%), bareland 7.70 km² (121.45%), and built-up areas 0.55 km² (134.15%), while forest and shrubs and grasses areas declined by 97.67 km² (− 72.59%) and 79.09 km² (− 43.49%), respectively. A social survey assessment revealed residents perceived environmental (deforestation, biodiversity loss, land degradation, water, air, soil pollution), social (occupational hazards, land use conflicts, negative effects on livelihoods and culture, discrimination, child labor, community displacement), and economic (improved housing, infrastructural development, job creation, economy boost, improved access to services) impacts resulting from mining activities. Our findings underscore the importance of balancing the economic benefits of gold mining with the imperative to protect the environment and support sustainable livelihoods in the mining regions.

Background Male partner involvement in focused antenatal care is one of the strategies recommended by world health organization towards reduction in maternal mortality. It has been evidently associated with a reduction in maternal mortality rates in countries that has implemented the strategy. Men are known to be decision makers in the family hence their decisions influences both maternal and newborn health. To promote male partner involvement in focused antenatal care (FANC), it is paramount to understand the factors that it is associated with. This paper therefore assessed the determinants of male partner involvement in focused antenatal care among married couples in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional analytical design was adopted. The study was community based where a total of 374 male partners participated in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Results The mean age of the male partners was38.56 ± 11.033 standard deviation (SD). The prevalence rate of male partner involvement in FANC was 41.71%. Adjusted logistic regression (AOR) analyses revealed spouse parity (AOR = 1.501; (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.533, 4.228 p < 0.001), monogamous marriage relationship (AOR 2.205; 95% CI 1.050, 4.629 p = 0.002 and highest level of education (AOR 0.230; 95% CI 0.094, 0.561 p = 0.001) as variables influencing male partner involvement in focused antenatal care. Conclusion The study revealed that less than half of the male partners were actively involved if FANC which was significantly associated with spouse parity, marital status and highest level of education attained by the male partner. Existing policies that support male partner involvement in FANC should be enacted so as to increase involvement. Similarly, awareness campaign on importance of their involvement should be created by relevant stakeholders.

The Darfur conflict, which emerged in the early 21st century, represents a multifaceted crisis driven by socio-political and environmental factors, with resource scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, playing a pivotal role in intensifying tensions between agricultural and pastoral communities. While climate change is typically associated with adverse environmental outcomes, an analysis of data spanning four decades (1980–2023) reveals a contrasting trend of increased precipitation, enhanced vegetation, and decreased drought frequency in recent years. This research explores the potential of these positive environmental changes to mitigate resource-based conflicts and foster political stability in Darfur as improved environmental conditions are posited to create a foundation for conflict resolution and sustainable peacebuilding. The present study integrates trends in the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) to examine these shifts. EVI data, derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) at a 250 m resolution, was used to assess large-scale vegetation patterns in arid and semi-arid landscapes. The Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model was employed to forecast future precipitation scenarios up to the year 2034, enhancing the understanding of long-term climatic trends. Data processing and analysis utilized advanced tools, including Google Earth Engine (GEE), ArcGIS Pro (version 3.4), and R software (version 4.3.2). The findings reveal a significant (33.19%) improvement in natural vegetation cover between 2000 and 2023, with degraded and unchanged areas accounting for 1.95% and 64.86%, respectively. This finding aligns with a marked increase in annual precipitation and a reduction in drought intensity over the study period. Historical SPEI analysis showed persistent drought events between 1980 and 2012, followed by a notable decline in drought frequency and severity from 2013 to 2024. Precipitation projections suggest a stable trend, potentially supporting further vegetation recovery in the region. These environmental improvements are preliminarily linked to climate-change-induced increases in precipitation and reductions in drought severity. This study’s findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the interplay between environmental dynamics and socio-political stability in Darfur, offering actionable insights for policy interventions aimed at fostering sustainable peace and resilience in the region.

Plant-associated cyanobacteria play pivotal roles in diverse ecosystems, impacting plant health, nitrogen fixation, and overall ecosystem dynamics. The rapid and accurate detection of cyanobacteria within plant environments is crucial for understanding their ecological roles and managing associated risks. This chapter provides an overview of nucleic acid-based methods for the rapid detection of cyanobacteria associated with plants. Four distinct techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and metagenomic sequencing are discussed. Each technique’s stepwise procedures, associated materials, and reagents are explained. By employing these techniques, the study aims to expedite the identification and characterization of plant-associated cyanobacteria, contributing to advancements in understanding their role in plant health and ecosystem dynamics.

This study examined the effects of fumonisins (FBs) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), alone or in combination, on the productivity and health of laying hens, as well as the transfer of aflatoxins (AFs) to chicken food products. The efficacy and safety of mycotoxin detoxifiers (bentonite and fumonisin esterase) to mitigate these effects were also assessed. Laying hens (400) were divided into 20 groups and fed a control, moderate (54.6 µg/kg feed) or high (546 µg/kg feed) AFB1 or FBs (7.9 mg/kg feed) added diets, either alone or in combination, with the mycotoxin detoxifiers added in selected diets. Productivity was evaluated by feed intake, egg weight, egg production, and feed conversion ratio whereas health was assessed by organ weights, blood biochemistry, and mortality. Aflatoxins residues in plasma, liver, muscle, and eggs were determined using UHPLC-MS/MS methods. A diet with AFB1 at a concentration of 546 µg/kg feed decreased egg production and various AFB1-contaminated diets increased serum uric acid levels and weights of liver, spleen, heart, and gizzard. Interactions between AFB1 and FBs significantly impacted spleen, heart, and gizzard weights as well as AFB1 residues in eggs. Maximum AFB1 residues of 0.64 µg/kg and aflatoxin M1 (below limits of quantification) were observed in liver, plasma, and eggs of layers fed diets with AFB1. The mycotoxin detoxifiers reduced effects of AFB1 and FBs on egg production, organ weights, blood biochemistry, and AFB1 residues in tissues. This study highlights the importance of mycotoxin detoxifiers as a mitigation strategy against mycotoxins in poultry production.

Fish feed is critical in aquaculture production, accounting for over 60% of operational costs, with protein being the most expensive component. Traditionally, fish meal (FM) has been the primary protein source. However, due to declining capture fisheries and high demand, FM has become scarce and costly, necessitating the search for alternative, low-cost, and nutritionally balanced protein sources. A 180-day feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing FM with a combination of cottonseed and sunflower meal (SFM) in Nile tilapia diets on growth performance, protein digestibility, and economic returns. Freshwater shrimp meal was replaced at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (diets D1, D2, D3, and D4) and compared to the control diet (D0) containing only FM. Monosex Nile tilapia fingerlings (25 ± 0.01 g) were allocated to 15 cages within an 800 m² earthen pond. Fish on diets D0 and D1 showed superior growth performance metrics, including final mean body weight, weight gain, daily weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and survival rate (p>0.05), compared to diets D2, D3, and D4. Growth performance declined significantly with increasing levels of the plant protein mixture (p<0.05). Diet D0 had the highest apparent protein digestibility, while D4 had the lowest. Cost-benefit analysis revealed that diet D0 had the highest production cost, followed by diets D1, D2, D3, and D4, with no significant cost difference between D0 and D1 (p>0.05). Thus, the plant protein mixture can effectively replace FM at a 25% inclusion level in Nile tilapia diets.

Background: Caffeine is an alkaloid belonging to the methylxanthine family. An overdose of caffeine causes the following side effects: restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, diuresis, gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle twitching, rambling flow of thought and speech, and tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia. This study aimed to determine the caffeine levels of various brands of coffee and cocoa and enlighten people on the safe and healthy consumption of the two products. Methods: Different brands of coffee and cocoa products were randomly sampled and purchased from supermarkets and shops in Nairobi, Kenya. Five samples of coffee and four brands of cocoa were purchased from a supermarket and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Caffeine was extracted, and quantitative analysis was done using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results: The study found that coffee has a higher concentration of caffeine than cocoa. Coffee Brand A recorded the lowest level of caffeine with 30.9845 µ g/g, while Coffee Brand C recorded the highest level of caffeine with 426.9639 µ g/g. Among the Cocoa brands, Cocoa Brand B recorded the lowest level of caffeine (2.6367 µg/g), while Cocoa Brand C recorded the highest level of caffeine at 19.03 µ g/g. Conclusion: Therefore, there is a need to reduce coffee consumption per day because caffeine overdose can cause high blood pressure and other illnesses. Cocoa is recommended for consumption since it contains less caffeine per serving. Keywords: Caffeine, coffee, cocoa, Kenya

Sorghum stands as a fundamental food and cash crop in Tharaka-Nithi, yet its production remains suboptimal due to soil fertility limitations. Globally, sorghum yields hover around 2.5 t/ha, indicating an untapped potential given its maximum yield potential of 5 t/ha. Kenya has witnessed a decline in sorghum yields from 0.95 t/ha to 0.78 t/ha, primarily attributed to inadequate soil fertility management and agronomic practices. Most soil management interventions have traditionally focused on singular practices, leaving gaps in understanding the efficacy of integrated approaches. This study sought to evaluate the impact of integrated soil fertility management practices on sorghum and green gram yield in Tharaka-Nithi County. The study was conducted in Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini Farm, the study employed a 3 x 5 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design, different fertilizer types and cropping systems. Results, analyzed using Statistical Analysis Software version 9.4, demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) effects of integrated soil fertility management on sorghum yield. Stover yields ranged from 1.93 t/ha to 0.28 t/ha and 7.18 t/ha to 1.35 t/ha at Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini farm, respectively, with the MBILI intercropping technique and NPK fertilizer yielding highest stover. Similarly, grain yields varied from 0.68 t/ha to 0.08 t/ha and 4.01 t/ha to 0.25 t/ha at Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini farm, respectively, with conventional intercropping and NPK plus Zinc fertilizer emerging as optimal treatments. In green gram yields, monocrop green gram and NPK fertilizer demonstrating superior performance. The analysis of treatment effect showed that the means for green gram stover yield ranged from 0.47 t/ha to 0.07 t/ha and 6.70 t/ha to 1.62 t/ha for Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini farm, respectively. The treatment with monocrop green gram, NPK fertilizer had the highest stover yield at both sites. The means for green gram grain yield ranged from 0.22 t/ha to 0.07 t/ha and 1.07 t/ha to 0.11 t/ha for Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini farm, respectively. Overall, the study underscores the potential of integrated soil fertility management in enhancing sorghum and green gram production, ensuring food security, and improving soil health in Tharaka-Nithi County. The findings advocate for the adoption of conventional intercropping systems supplemented with appropriate fertilization strategies to optimize crop productivity and soil fertility management in similar agro-ecological contexts.

To understand the success of invasive alien species, it is necessary to evaluate the site-specific eco-evolutionary challenges they face in their new environments. We explored whether the rearrangement of genetic diversity is linked to the invasiveness of Prosopis juliflora by (i) comparing different stages of invasion (founding vs invasive populations) in two invaded areas (Afar Region, Ethiopia and Baringo County, Kenya) to evaluate whether different stages are dominated by different genetic attributes (e.g., characteristic genotypes or levels of genetic diversity) and by (ii) evaluating if landscape features affected dispersal between invasive populations in the two invaded areas. We hypothesised that different invasion stages would have unique genetic characteristics due to either site-specific demographic and/or dispersal dynamics. We also compared the genetic characteristics at an ‘invasive–non-invasive congener’ level by studying the non-invasive P. pallida, introduced to Baringo County, and assessed whether it hybridises with P. juliflora. In the Afar Region, the establishment and spread of P. juliflora were characterised by extensive gene flow that homogenised genetic diversity across all populations. In contrast, in Baringo County, invasive populations had lower genetic diversity than founders, and genetic differentiation was lower between invasive populations than between invasive and founder populations. In both invaded areas, we found no evidence that dispersal was hampered by geographic distance, bioclimatic conditions, or distance to roads, rivers and villages, at least at the spatial scales of our study; indicating frequent long-distance dispersal. Allelic richness was higher in P. juliflora than P. pallida founders and hybrids were mainly planted trees probably resulting from the sympatric cultivation of the two species following their introduction. Thus, management actions on Prosopis invasion in eastern Africa should consider site-specific dynamics occurring during the invasion.

The potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis originates from the Andean Mountain region in South America and has unintentionally been introduced to all inhabited continents. Several studies have examined the population genetic structure of this pest in various countries by using microsatellite markers. However, merging microsatellite data produced from different laboratories is challenging and can introduce uncertainty when interpreting the results. To overcome this challenge and to explore invasion routes of this pest, we have genotyped 22 G. rostochiensis populations from all continents. Within populations, the highest genetic diversity was observed in the South American populations, the European populations showed an intermediate level of genetic diversity and the remaining populations were the less diverse. This confirmed pre-existing knowledge such as a first introduction event from South America to Europe, but the less diverse populations could originate either from South America or from Europe. At the continental scale, STRUCTURE genetic clustering output indicated that North America and Asia have experienced at least two introduction events. Comparing different evolutionary scenarios, the Approximate Bayesian Computation analysis showed that Europe served as a secondary distribution centre for the invasion of G. rostochiensis into all other continents (North America, Africa, Asia and Oceania).

Many researchers have reported street food vendor characteristics including their food safety and hygiene awareness, attitudes, and practices. Data on street food vending are usually qualitative and include a large number of variables. This presents difficulties to researchers in trying to find the best way to reduce such data to a limited number of composites for use in further studies. Nonlinear principal component analysis (NLPCA) is a multivariate analysis technique that is most ideal for data reduction to yield uncorrelated summary variables while taking into account non-numeric measurement and the probable nonlinear relationships in the data. The objective of this study was to reduce and summarize the large heterogeneous data obtained from 345 street food vendors (SFVs) from six study locations in Kiambu County, Kenya, containing ordinal and nominal data into one or more components that may be used to elucidate the associations within the SFVs characteristics. NLPCA identified seven components of knowledge and practices related to food safety and hygiene among SFVs, which included: the cleanliness of the vending area, individual SFV hygiene and food handling practices, initiatives put in place to ensure food hygiene and safety, washing practices and food safety knowledge, food safety standards and regulations, storage practices for raw and ready-to-eat food, adherence and attitude toward food safety stipulations and SFVs’ mobility. The seven components also represent the categories of concern in enhancing the quality and safety of street vended foods. These components may be used as the basis for evaluating street food quality and safety.

Internal displacement of populations due to armed conflicts can substantially impact a region’s Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) and the efforts towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of conflict-driven Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on vegetation cover and environmental sustainability in the Kas locality of Darfur, Sudan. Supervised classification and change analysis were performed on Sentinel-2 satellite images for the years 2016 and 2022 using QGIS software. The Sentinel-2 Level 2A data were analysed using the Random Forest (RF) Machine Learning (ML) classifier. Five land cover types were successfully classified (agricultural land, vegetation cover, built-up area, sand, and bareland) with overall accuracies of more than 86% and Kappa coefficients greater than 0.74. The results revealed a 35.33% (-10.20 km²) decline in vegetation cover area over the six-year study period, equivalent to an average annual loss rate of -5.89% (-1.70 km²) of vegetation cover. In contrast, agricultural land and built-up areas increased by 17.53% (98.12 km²) and 60.53% (5.29 km²) respectively between the two study years. The trends of the changes among different LULC classes suggest potential influences of human activities especially the IDPs, natural processes, and a combination of both in the study area. This study highlights the impacts of IDPs on natural resources and land cover patterns in a conflict-affected region. It also offers pertinent data that can support decision-makers in restoring the affected areas and preventing further environmental degradation for sustainability.

The accessory protease transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) enhances severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uptake into ACE2-expressing cells, although how increased entry impacts downstream viral and host processes remains unclear. To investigate this in more detail, we performed infection assays in engineered cells promoting ACE2-mediated entry with and without TMPRSS2 coexpression. Electron microscopy and inhibitor experiments indicated TMPRSS2-mediated cell entry was associated with increased virion internalization into endosomes, and partially dependent upon clathrin-mediated endocytosis. TMPRSS2 increased panvariant uptake efficiency and enhanced early rates of virus replication, transcription, and secretion, with variant-specific profiles observed. On the host side, transcriptional profiling confirmed the magnitude of infection-induced antiviral and proinflammatory responses were linked to uptake efficiency, with TMPRSS2-assisted entry boosting early antiviral responses. In addition, TMPRSS2-enhanced infections increased rates of cytopathology, apoptosis, and necrosis and modulated virus secretion kinetics in a variant-specific manner. On the virus side, convergent signatures of cell-uptake-dependent innate immune induction were recorded in viral genomes, manifesting as switches in dominant coupled Nsp3 residues whose frequencies were correlated to the magnitude of the cellular response to infection. Experimentally, we demonstrated that selected Nsp3 mutations conferred enhanced interferon antagonism. More broadly, we show that TMPRSS2 orthologues from evolutionarily diverse mammals facilitate pan-variant enhancement of cell uptake. In summary, our study uncovers previously unreported associations, linking cell entry efficiency to innate immune activation kinetics, cell death rates, virus secretion dynamics, and convergent selection of viral mutations. These data expand our understanding of TMPRSS2's role in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle and confirm its broader significance in zoonotic reservoirs and animal models.

Kenya is a major player in the global ornamental trade, exporting substantial quantities of ornamental fish to the global market. The sector plays an important role in the country's economy through foreign exchange. However, the country's ornamental fish industry has not fully developed to generate more economic benefits. This paper sought to identify the existing opportunities for enhancing the production and trade of ornamental fish in the country. The findings reveal that there are opportunities for collection of native freshwater ornamental fish species from the vast freshwater resources in the country; for the culture of marine ornamental fish; for public aquariums as centres of recreation, conservation, research and education; and for employment and development of support industries. The findings also show that there are international legislations and national policies that create an enabling environment for the growth of the industry. To unlock the full potential of the industry, training and research, investment and infrastructure development, quality assurance, collaboration and networking, and environmental sustainability strategies need to be put in place. This will ensure Kenya's position as a key player in the global ornamental fish trade.

This study used gamma ray spectrometry to determine the radiological safety of construction soil sampled randomly from Mbeere North region, Kenya. The mean activity concentration of 232Th, 238U, and 40K was 149.7 ± 2.8 Bqkg−1, 88.3 ± 2.4 Bqkg−1, and 490 ± 35 Bqkg−1, respectively. These averages exceed the world average for all the radionuclides. The radionuclides were non-uniformly distributed, with higher concentrations along the slopes and on the feet of the hills. The mean absorbed dose rate, indoor and outdoor annual effective dose, radium equivalent, external hazard index, and internal hazard index were 157.9 ± 4.4 nGh−1, 0.58 ± 0.02 mSvy−1, 0.39 ± 0.01 mSvy−1, 340.7 ± 9.2 Bqkg−1, 0.92 ± 0.02 and 1.14 ± 0.03, respectively. Among the radiation safety indicators, only the average internal hazard index exceeded slightly the acceptable safe limit. Therefore, soils of Mbeere North region are radiologically safe for use in brick making and construction of human habitats.