Archives-November 2015

The presence of missing values in air quality data is a common issue and important task to deal with it. The data was collected using automated machines which contain missing value that can cause bias result due to differences between observed and predicted data. This paper considers hourly air pollutant concentrations such as NO, NO2, CO, SO2 and meteorological variables such as AT, WS, RH at Kemaman over a four-year period. This paper discusses the performance of Multiple Linear Regression model by using different imputation methods such as mean top bottom, linear interpolation and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). The result shows that the MCMC method to replace the missing values obtained the highest R2 (0.649) after fitting to multiple linear regression model for prediction of ozone concentrations with selected precursors. Therefore, MCMC method produced a good fit multiple linear regression for prediction of ozone concentration in this study.

The study includes the determination of Ni (II) using azo reagent Benzenesulfonate, 4,4’-[3-(2-pyridinyl)-1,2,4-triazine-5,6-diyl]bis-, hydrogen sodium salt (1:1:1) spectrophotometric at (?max 562 nm) wave length. The effect of different parameters on determination is evaluated. The study shows that best PH=(7±0.1). The study includes obey concentration of Beer-Lambert law to determination of the calibration graph of Ni(II) by reagent. From this graph we note obey the concentration of law was between (2-50) µg of Ni(II) after this values the absorbance increased. The stoichiometry of complex Nickel ion determined by molar ratio method. Result indicated reagent to metal ratio was (1:2) the stability constant of the complex determination through mole ratio method and its value indicated good stability. The UV-Vis spectra and the IR spectra of the complex and reagent were measured. From all mentioned studies proposed structural formula of Ni(II) complex.

Soil fertility depletion is a single most important constraint to food security in West Africa due to continuous cropping and increasing population pressure. Rising costs of commercial fertilizers and increasing emphasis on sound manure management to protect water quality, renewed interest has been focused on maximizing the fertility returns of organic manure. The study determined the effect of dynamic kraaling on soil nutrient status of soils of the middle voltain formation (sandstone, shale and siltstone) in Savelugu/Nanton District in the Northern Region of Ghana. Six (6) soil samples each were collected at two depths (0-40 cm and 40-80 cm) from an active kraal (AK), an old kraal (OK) and non-kraal (NK) farmlands. Laboratory soil analysis indicated that N levels were higher at 0-40 cm depth compared to the depth of 40-80 cm for the AK and the OK but indifferent for the NK farmlands at the two depths. High level difference in the concentration of Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) was observed between the two depths for AK and OK. The concentration of P and K was noted to have increased from the 0-40 cm depth to 40-80 cm depth. The results indicate that NPK was high in active kraals, old kraals and non-kraaled farmlands in decreasing order. Varying levels of organic matter (OM), organic carbon (OC), soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were also observed for the different kraaling systems but these were observed to be much higher for the active kraals. The effect of dynamic kraaling in the improvement of soil nutrient levels was high.

Faecal sludge treatment is necessary for waste water reuse. Among the natural biological treatment systems available, stabilization ponds have been used widely around the world with a considerable success. This research was conducted to assess the levels of faecal sludge solids concentration in waste stabilisation ponds, which consist of twin anaerobic pond, primary and secondary facultative pond and a single maturation pond at the Tamale Metropolis landfill site in Northern Ghana. The results revealed TSS concentration range of 4122.22 to 8760.37 mg/l, TDS range of 1970.20 to 9744.11 mg/l and TS range of 6092.4 to 18504.48 mg/l. Variation of faecal sludge solids concentration among different stabilisation ponds were statistically, highly significant by analysis of variances. However, variations of solids concentration within individual ponds were statistically insignificant. The anaerobic pond recorded the highest faecal sludge solid concentration relative to the other ponds as expected. The faecal sludge solids levels were observed to be higher than the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency recommended standard for the discharge of effluent into the environment. This may impede the faecal sludge treatment processes and make the entire system function below required safety levels.

Education relevance in any given country is anchored in its philosophy of education. The Kenyan philosophy of education advocates for provision of a holistic education and training that promotes all the domains of learning. However, in practice academically oriented learning is emphasized focusing on cognitive domain while passively imparting the psychomotor and affective domains. This article reports on data from a study that sought to explore the perceptions on the relevance Nyerere’s philosophy of education towards the academically oriented university education in Kenya for sustainable economic development. The research adopted a case study research design. Data was collected from one Dean of students, 5 Coordinators of campuses, 586 fourth education students and 22 lecturers from Kisii University selected using saturated, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. The items in the questionnaires were tested for content validity and reliability by means of a pilot study in one of the campuses that was not included in the sample. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the study revealed that university education was perceived as over-reliant on academic qualifications while neglecting practical learning and values. The study recommended that to offer holistic education require embracing ideals of Nyerere’s philosophy of education in line with the original intended objectives of 8-4-4 curriculum in Mackay report and the current needs of the country to produce liberated self- reliant individuals.

Primes are the building blocks of integer universe. Prime numbers plays a major role in number theory. This paper is a detailed survey on prime numbers.This describes different types of primes and some testing methods. In addition to that, we have constructed MATLAB programs using popular primality tests to determine a given positive integer is prime or not. Further, this concises the definitions regarding prime numbers, history of prime numbers, distribution of prime numbers, some mathematical occurrences and open questions concerning prime numbers. Moreover, the usage of primes in nature and in the real life has been considered.

The study by Lussier & Bobby (2007) and & Wictor Andersson (2012) states that a country is seen to be successful, viable and respected leader who is due to have strong leadership skills. According to Robinson (2009), a good leader can influence the team to participate in activities that to do well and be able to interact with the members of his team is to create a feeling of respect, understanding and cooperation among members. In the context of Malaysian national education, extra-curricular activities is an important program for developing students' potential as a holistic mission. Thus, uniformed bodies established for the purpose of meeting the interests and to address issues of misconduct among adolescents such as substance abuse, truancy, loitering and juvenile culture. Therefore, the development of leadership at the school level is important in producing students who are competent and have the added value of identity as meet the challenges of the future.

The angular spectrum approach (ASA) is applied for the simulation of focused ultrasound produced by NXN rectangular transducer phased arrays by inserting through human mouth towards lung surface. The ASA rapidly computes the output pressure in a certain volume. The pressure deposition due to the array used is converted to therapeutic temperature for tumor treatment. Simulation and results show that the NXN rectangular phased array producing pressure determined by ASA can be applied successfully for lung tumor treatments.

Valid information on causes of death is a vital tool to the development of national and international health policies for prevention, better management, and control of diseases and complications. World health statistics indicated that Nigeria has the highest number of people living with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. Many life-threatening complications arise from type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) from which many people die annually. This study assessed the current trends in mortality among type 2 diabetes patients to provide evidence based information on the dynamics of the disease for better case management and prevention of complications. The study was a cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study of dead type 2 diabetes patients using the death register and postmortem reports. Key data were extracted from death registers and analyzed with SPSS version 20 using descriptive and inferential statistics at a significant level of p<0.05. All the 229 and 91 deaths in NAUTH and ANSUTH due to DM complications were recorded. Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) had the highest mean percentage death (51.9%). Diabetic ketoacidosis, hypertension, and hyperglycemia were implicated. Married patients had the highest cases of DM mortality 173(75.6%) for NAUTH and 52(57.2%) for ANSUTH. Type 2 DM is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and the associated burden is more prevalent in developing countries. Studies have shown that DFU with: infection, sepsis, DKA, hyperglycemia, and hypertension are very important complications among T2DM in Nigeria.

Nigeria ranked first in Africa and fourth in the world among tuberculosis (TB) endemic countries. An estimated 460,000 cases of tuberculosis and 5000 cases of leprosy occur in Nigeria annually. TB prevalence among Human Immune Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients rose up to 27% due to increased association of TB with HIV/AIDS. This study described the dynamics of Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Policy in Nigeria. Many Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and private partners compliment the effort of the federal government in combating this scourge. The federal government has continually reviewed her policy framework to reposition her to combat the scourge. Some progress has been made, but more effort is required to scale up operations. Proper budgetary allocation for health in line with international best practice, improved funding, monitoring and evaluation of TB and leprosy control programmes are invaluable in the actualization of this noble course.