Archives-December 

The Government reform agenda, was to try and address how GoEs can attain self-sufficiency to ease the burden of overreliance on subsidies, through introduction of new government guidelines, policies and strategies designed at improving their financial sustainability. However reviews have shown that despites all these improvements, the GoEs often do not operate optimally for sustainability, attributing to either internal or external factors. Even though various studies have been done on financial sustainability, limited research have been carried out on financial sustainability of GoEs hence there is limited information on GoEs in the MOALF. This study sought to identify financial sustainability basics. The study focused on resource utilization as a determinant. A causal research design was adopted and with 27 organizations responding positively, giving a sample size of 134. The study used both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires and interview guides. The secondary data involved review of published information on Financial Statements of GoEs in MOALF. Data was obtained for a period of 7 years from 2009/2010 to 2014/15 financial years and analyzed using SPPS version 21 statistical software, fitted into a multi linear regression model and t-statistic. From the study it was evident that, management of working capital was key factor that influenced financial sustainability of the GoEs. Working capital had a positive correlated to financial sustainability with investment opportunities being inversely related to financial suitability hence lack of proper policies on Investment and strategies affects financial sustainability. The study recommends that prioritized resource utilization should be given more emphasis as a means to ensure that institutional goals are set in line with the availability of funds. There should be proper projects evaluation and prioritization before allocation of resources is done to the most profitable project, bottom up resource management should be adopted, thereby keeping expenditure within the approved levels is also key. GoEs should endeavour to adopt hybrid model of management that incorporates both public and private interface. Policies on investment should be developed, Investment in green finance and adoption of climatic finance that significantly reduce effects on the environment enhancing sustainability. They should also adopt a holistic evaluation model not limited to financial evaluation through innovative accounting that encompassing the key goals and objectives of their existence and adoption of risk assessment framework. The Ministry should set limits with the set frameworks for the Key ratios used to measure Financial Sustainability.

The effect of grinding MgTiO3 on the particle size and electrical properties was studied. Initially, good dispersion conditions were optimized via rheological characterizations of the aqueous slurry in variant dispersant amounts. Then, 50% MgTiO3 slurry was grinded using balls of different diameter sizes (0.8 and 0.4 mm) for two consecutive cycles. The milled powder was characterized using laser granulometry, BET method, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The crystallite size was calculated using Halder-Wagner methods. The electrical and dielectrical properties were also monitored for different particle size. These results revealed impurities from the zirconium balls, however, without affecting the particle size even if prepared with different grinding operations.

In this study, the entropy generation of a fully developed laminar flow in circular segment ducts with constant wall heat flux is investigated. Entropy generation is obtained for various segment angels (2?), various wall heat flux and various Reynolds number. It is concluded that segment angel and wall heat flux have considerable effect on entropy generation. For the increasing value of these parameters, both entropy generation and pumping power ratio are increased at fixed Reynolds number.

Early childhood education is the basis upon which all levels of education are anchored and therefore effective financial management systems are required to maximize the efficient use of resources, create the highest level of transparency and accountability to ensure long-term economic success. The aim of this study was to assess the Effects of Control Strategies on Efficacy in The Administration of Finances in Public Early childhood development Education Centres In Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design using pragmatist paradigm. The sample size was based on a sample size determination formula by Krejcie and Morgan. Schools were stratified to their quotas. Furthermore,224 ECDE teachers,55 headteachers, 55 SMC chairpersons, 1 QASO,1 County chief education officer and 1 County auditor were sampled using stratified, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. The instruments for data collection were interviews and questionnaires and were piloted in Nandi County that share similar characteristic as the study area. Cronbach Alpha coefficient was used to test the reliability of the instruments. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as measures of central tendencies (frequencies, percentages, and means) and inferential statistics such as Pearson Correlation Coefficient and regresioin analysis. This study found out that there was no budget preparation in pre-schools based on schools’ vision. It found a significant correlation between planning strategies and financial management efficacies. The study recommends that there is need for ECDE management committee to: plan for resources early enough before spending to curb waste, strategic mechanisms be put in place to lobby for financial support of ECDE programmes from different stakeholders. It is hoped that the findings will be of great significance to policy makers on understanding the best strategies which if implemented will promote efficacies in the administration of ECDE funds.

Poor soil fertility is among the major production problems responsible for poor growth and low yield of sesame in Nigeria. A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria to determine the effect of application of organic and mineral fertilizers on growth and yield of sesame plants and rates of Nitrogen fertilizer application on the performance of sesame var E8. There were 12 factorial treatment combinations of three types of fertilizers namely; tithonia compost, maize compost, and urea and four rates of Nitrogen; 0, 60, 80, and 100 kg N/ha. Progressive increment in growth and seed yield parameters was observed as fertilizer rates increased up to 80 kg N/ha and decreased at 100 kg N/ha. Application of 80 kg N/ha produced the highest growth and yield of sesame. Application of 60, 80, and 100kg N/ha fertilizer resulted in 140, 350 and 170 % over the control. Tithonia compost produced the highest yield of sesame compared with maize compost and urea fertilizer. Generally, inorganic fertilizer (urea) resulted in lower yields compared to organic fertilizer (tithonia compost) in the production of sesame. Soil nutrient status was also enhanced as residual N increased slightly in all the treatment. However, phosphorus accumulation was highest with the application of tithonia compost at 80kg /ha. From the results of these experiments, it is indicative that application of tithonia compost at the rate of 80 kg N/ha is most suitable for the production of sesame and have the potential of improving the soils in the southern Guinea Savanna of Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Al-substituted ZnMg mixed ferrite prepared by conventional sol-gel method. Al substituted ZnMg ferrite of molecular formula Zn0.7Mg0.3AlxFe2-xO4 & Zn0.5Mg0.5AlxFe2-xO4 where (x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) were prepared. The obtained samples were sintered at 8500C for 4 hours. The XRD used to study the structural properties such as particle size, lattices constant and the effect of doping concentration of Al atoms is discussed. The Structural images from XRD, SEM were presented. The Electrical characteristics of these mixed ferrites were studied using Cyclic Voltometric Analysis to measure logarithm of conductivity (log ?), dielectric constant ( ?) and loss factor at various frequencies and are reported. Hopping of electrons between localized stated of cations in the interstitial sites were discussed. The variation of activation energy with various ranges of frequencies was reported.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of using treated wastewater on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of festuca in greenhouse conditions in Sa'dabad of the Dashtestan, Iran. Experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with 5 treatments and 4 replicates. Treatments included: fresh water, fresh water + 25% treated wastewater, fresh water + 50% treated wastewater, fresh water + 75% treated wastewater, and 100% treated wastewater. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the impact of wastewater had significant effect on growth and physiological characteristics. Root weight (5.7 g), leaf weight (2.3 g), leaf area (7/54), root length (29 cm) and plant height (9.9 cm) showed a significant increase in compared to the control. In relation to the characteristics of protein, phosphorus and ash, the same trend was observed.

The present work deals with the results of experimental investigations on effect of sugar powder on setting time and compressive strength of cement and concrete. Effect of sugar on compressive strength of cement and concrete by using different brands of cement are studied. Sugar powder content is 0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 % by weight of cement. Cube of size 70 mm X 70 mm X 70 mm for compressive strength test of cement. And cube of size 150 mm X 150 mm X 150 mm for compressive strength test of concrete were cast. All the specimens were water cured and testing is done for 3 days, 7 days and 28 days. Results were observe and comparison of results of compressive strength of cement and concrete with sugar powder with that of normal cement and concrete showed the significant improvements in the results of compressive strength.

University graduates stand at the dawn of their careers, seeking meaningful employment in a labour market that is characterized by volatile change and globalization. This new world of work requires flexibility, versatility, and creativity skills not traditionally required of an employee. Graduates today are required to develop a skills-set that enables pro-active career behavior and, furthermore, aid the employer to utilize such abilities as business solutions. Outstanding academic achievements and development of graduate?s skills generally determines graduates employability. This project examined factors affecting graduates employability in Somalia; case study of Mogadishu and SIMAD universities. The specific objective of the project is first to examine how quality of high education affects graduate employability in Somalia; second to determine how education policy affects graduate employability in Somalia and finally, to establish how learning environment affects graduates employability in Somalia. The study also used human development, quality and performance theories to analyze graduate employability factors. The study sets out methodology on various stages that researcher followed in completing the study. The researcher identified the procedures, population of 300 and the sample size of 60 and techniques which is 20 percent of the target population (Mugenda Mugenda ) approach (Theuri, 2014). The researcher developed self administered survey questioners and distributed 60 and only 48 of them returned which 80% of the sample. Analysis of data employed by percentages and frequencies to analyze the results of questionnaire using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 and the result will be presented in the form of summaries, such as statistical tables and charts with clear discussions and illustrations. It involves a blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of data. The study idea started on May 2015 and completed June 2016 with delays. The study found that quality of high education has highly positive effects to graduate employability. The education policy and learning environment also showed that it has moderate effects to graduate employability. The universities have to work hard to improve quality of high education and establish supportive learning environment, government has to work to establish education policy that applicable to the local context and all will contribute future graduates' employability. Finally, further research should be carried out on employers' behaviors and availability of jobs in the market that could be other factors that could have effect to graduate employability.

In modern world, decision support systems are gaining increased popularity in various domains, including medical informatics and engineering. Digital access to the patient case data in would help the novice nurses in making faster and accurate decisions. The discussions in this paper are based on N-CODES (Nursing Computer Decision Support), an interactive handheld device which takes in patient data and delivers clinical knowledge i.e. it provides a diagnostic for decision support by the filtered and collated data. The focus of this paper is mainly on one aspect, the indexing of patient specific cases, and individual rule fragments. ‘Improve’ data library has been used, which contains instances of each possible patient class in the clinical decision support system (CDS). These classes are organized into frequent case (FC) trees by developing an algorithm which will find the frequently occurring rules. This algorithm will support the patient case indexing by organizing cases into rule vectors consisting of rule instances for a specific case ending with an intervention and also will aid in determining similarity of new cases with stored exemplar cases.