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Item type:Publication, Integration of RNA-Seq and Metabolite Analysis Reveals the Key Floral Scent Biosynthetic Genes in Herbaceous Peony(MDPI, 2024-06-10) Kimani, Shadrack Kanyonji; Wang, Shuxian; Xie, Jinyi; Bao, Tingting; Shan, Xiaotong; Li, Hongjie; Adnan; Wang , Li; Gao, Xiang; Li, YueqingFloral scent is an essential and genetically complex trait in herbaceous peonies (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.); however, specific genes related to metabolic and regulatory networks remain scantily studied. Our study integrated metabolite profiling and RNA-sequencing to screen floral scent biosynthetic genes. Hence, the major molecules identified by headspace collection combined with cultivar-specific GC-MS analysis were geraniol, β-caryophyllene, 2-phenylethanol (2-PE), citronellol, and 1,8-cineole. Genes related to terpenoids and 2-PE biosynthesis were identified after the assembly and annotation of the P. lactiflora transcriptomes. Eight angiosperm-specific terpene synthases (TPSs) from the TPS-a and TPS-b clades, as well as enzymes linked to 2-PE synthesis such as aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), phenylacetaldehyde reductase (PAR), and geranial reductase (GER) were identified. The biochemical analysis of the enzymes encoded by PlPAR1 and PlGER1 generated 2-PE from phenylacetaldehyde (PAld). The pairwise alignment of AADC1 reveals a splice variant lacking a 124 bp fragment, thus highlighting the possible role of alternative splicing in modulating floral scent composition. This study offers insights into the molecular-level biosynthesis of terpenoids and 2-PE in Peonia taxa, and provides the basis for the functional characterization, breeding, and bioengineering of prospective candidate genes for the production of floral volatiles in the Paeonia genus.Item type:Publication, The Relationship between Community Adherence to COVID-19 Containment Measures and the Wellbeing of Older Adults in Rural Kenya.(Gerontological Society of America, 2022-12) Thuku, PaulineThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives globally but disproportionately affected older adults due to their increased vulnerability to severe illness and higher mortality. To protect older adults from infection, community members in rural Kenya have ensured enhanced adherence to COVID-19 containment measures. However, while restricted social contact is highly recommended in the control of COVID-19 infection, limited research exists on its effect on the psychosocial wellbeing of older adults. This study therefore assessed the relationship between community adherence to COVID-19 containment measures and the overall wellbeing of older adults. Nyeri County in Central Kenya was selected for the study and all adults aged 70 years and above targeted. Snowball sampling was used to collect data from a sample of 360 respondents. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. The study established a significant inverse relationship between the level of community adherence to COVID-19 protocols and the wellbeing of older adults. Furthermore, the wellbeing of most older adults had deteriorated during the pandemic, with older married women with higher incomes being less affected. The study concluded that although the COVID-19 pandemic had affected everyone, effective containment is a multi-dimensional issue that requires targeted interventions.Item type:Publication, The Potential for Gender-Based Violence Among the Eastern Bantu Ethnic Groups of Kenya: Evidence from Oral Literature(2023-06) Mwenzwa, Ezekiel; Thuku, PaulineOral literature is a powerful tool for human socialization. It works to perpetuate social relations between men and women, parents and children, and old and young among other dichotomies. It is used to preserve and perpetuate culture hence maintain the status quo despite social costs. When reinforced by associated beliefs, it propagates such practices as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), spousal battering and forced marriages among others. That the foregoing practices are rampant among many Kenya communities cannot be gainsaid. While mainstream literature lays blame on drugs, character, economic and other drivers of gender based violence, this paper provides an alternative to this conventional belief. Through the use of key informant interviews among five (5) community sages and documentary review, this article analyses selected songs, proverbs, oral narratives and sayings used by Eastern Bantu ethnic groups of Kenya and argue that their inter-generational transfer and associated beliefs institutionalize the potential for gender-based violence. From the foregoing, it is important to institute affirmative action measures that respond directly to the needs of the society and in particular to avail self-actualizing opportunities to women in equal measure with men.Item type:Publication, Is Geropsychology "Forever Young" on the Mother Continent? Addressing the Limited Research on Psychology of Aging in Africa(Gerontological Society of America, 2023) Chukwuorji, JohnBosco Chika; Thuku, Pauline; Cassimjee, Nafisa; Mbuthia, Kezia; Olawa, Babatola DObjectives: Our paper highlights areas of interest to psychologists studying aging in Africa and what has already been learned about aspects of psychological aging from studies done in the African context. We also considered whether there are issues that are unique about aging in the African context that might challenge how aging is typically considered in psychology research. Methods: We reviewed articles recently published in major gerontology journals focusing on African older adults, with the goal of identifying key themes of current geropsychology in Africa. Results: We identified a number of dominant themes including: subjective aging, psychosocial impact of widowhood at old age, aging in place, stress and caregiving, cognitive aging, interrelations between HIV and aging, and successful aging. Discussion: The themes of psychological aging research identified as especially relevant in Africa provide a starting point for psychological aging researchers in general to engage with the African context. Many African countries may be facing common challenges, but the existing studies are not fully representative of the aging population in the continent. Creating a framework for organizing and coordinating funding will help to address the limited research on geropsychology in Africa. Collaborative research projects/programs, joint classrooms, and fellowships that support African geropsychology scholars will be helpful. Geropsychology will benefit from more engagement with the African context by applying innovative approaches such as the adoption of longitudinal designs, mixed-method research, Experience Sampling Methods, translation of measures into indigenous languages, involvement of rural samples, and implementation science and community-engaged research.Item type:Publication, Mtindo na Maudhui Katika Nyimbo za Kisiasa za Msanii John De’ Mathew Nchini Kenya(MULIKA, 2017) Mwangi, Peter Kinyanjui; Munyao, Josephine KaniniMakala hii inafafanua mitindo inayotumiwa na mwanamuziki John De’Mathew katika kuwasilisha ujumbe wa kisiasa. Nyimbo zimetumika katika miktadha na nyakati mbalimbali kufafanua masuala anuwai yanayomwathiri binadamu. Pia, hutumika kuhamasisha, kutia moyo, kuchokoza na hata kuchochea watu kutenda matendo mbalimbali. Utunzi wa nyimbo, kama ilivyo katika tanzu zingine za fasihi, huhusisha matumizi ya mitindo changamano ili kuwasilisha ujumbe unaodhamiriwa. Makala hii inalenga kutambulisha, kuainisha na kuchanganua vipengele vya kimtindo vinavyotumiwa na mwanamuziki John De’Mathew anapotunga nyimbo zenye maudhui ya kisiasa nchini Kenya. Aidha makala pia inaangazia baadhi ya maudhui ya kisiasa yanayopatikana katika nyimbo hizo. Nyimbo zake tano zilichaguliwa kimakusudi na kuchanganuliwa. Matokeo yanadhihirisha kwamba msanii huyu ametumia mitindo mbalimbali katika kuwasilisha ujumbe wa kisiasa katika nyimbo zake.
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