Archives-July 2018

Fournier's gangrene is a rare, fulminant, usually a localized disease of the external genitalia, anorectal and perineal region, with an occasional extension up to the abdominal wall. Mainly associated with men and those over the age of 50, Fournier’s gangrene has been shown to have a predilection for patients with diabetes as well as people who are long-term alcohol misusers. The usual organism is an anaerobic streptococcus synergistic with other organisms. Although considerable progress has been made in the treatment of this disease, it remains a serious and debilitating condition with a high mortality rate. Early therapy is the key, including hospitalization, debridement of the entire shaft of the penis distal to the devastated area, without excising the normal skin, parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotics, and skin grafting. We here-in present two clinical cases of Fournier’s gangrene of the external genitalia. Our case was unusual in that only the penis was involved, which is very rare.

Rice bran, one of the most abundant and valuable byproducts produced during the rice milling process, is of steadily growing interest in recent years due to its potential health benefits. Herein, we investigate and report the physicochemical properties of rice bran obtained from Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The rice bran was initially combusted and soil samples of the baked, unbaked soil and surrounding particular area where we carried out the combustion were collected and analyzed for its physicochemical properties. The results revealed that the baked soil has a higher concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium than the unbaked soil. Furthermore, retention of water (tension) and the ability to absorb water (infiltration) was discovered to be higher in the baked soil sample. This shows that the heat of combustion of rice bran affects the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of soil in a peculiar way.

Physical inactivity is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease and is associated with poor physical functioning. Patients with end-stage renal disease are inactive even compared to sedentary individuals without kidney disease. We sought to analyze the level of physical activity in our chronic hemodialysis patients and to identify patient barriers to physical activity. Adult patients on hemodialysis in the Department of Renal Dialysis and Renal Transplantation at the Mohammed V Military Training Hospital in Rabat were recruited and asked to complete the update Baecke physical activity questionnaire in French named AQAP (Physical Activity Self-Questionnaire) A total of 52 patients participated in the study, the mean age of the patients was 50 years ± 16.55 with extremes ranging from 24 to 76 years, sex ratio (H / F) was 1.1. The majority of participants strongly agreed that a sedentary lifestyle was a health risk and that increasing exercise was a benefit. 23% report having no physical activity. 74% of patients report difficulty in performing significant physical exertion. 17 % of patients report having a regular physical activity and sport. However, 49% of participants reported at least one barrier to physical activity. The most commonly reported barriers were fatigue on dialysis days shortness of breath and depression. Exercise provides beneficial effects in end stage renal disease, our study identified a number of barriers to physical activity that can be addressed in studies aimed at increasing levels of physical activity.

This article analyses the influence of the combined effect of the internal (IOE) and external (EOE) operating environments on the accuracy of performance forecasting (APF) in large manufacturing firms (LMFs) in Kenya. The objective of this study was to assess if the combined effect of the operating environments precipitated any change in any of the measures of APF. Against the backdrop of internal management conflicts of interest and exogenous events, poor forecasting in LMFs is commonplace. However, in recent times, LMFs have tended to hire skilled forecasting personnel. This study therefore, assumes that the qualified forecasting staff ensures accuracy in preparing future budgets. Both IOE and EOE are said to influence the performance of manufacturing operations. The study identified IOE and EOE influencers of firm performance and tested these against critical measures of APF. To isolate statistical significance of results, regression analysis was applied using data collected through a structured questionnaire administered among randomly selected LMFs. Results indicated that there was evidence that the combined effect of IOE and EOE had a moderating influence on APF through ROS when objective forecasting was applied, and through EV when combination forecasting was used.

The study examined the efficacy of psycho-education in treatment compliance among the schizophrenics using cross sectional survey, before and after design, and in-depth oral interview. A total number of 41 participants (male=25, female=16) with age range between 18-55 years, mean score of 35.12 and standard deviation of 11.29 were drawn from both neuropsychiatric hospital oda road Akure Ondo State and Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (psychiatric unit) using health seeking behaviour scale developed by Okunade (1987) to explore health seeking behaviour pattern among the schizophrenics the mean score determined participants for intervention which is the psycho-education. The result revealed that psycho-education is a veritable tool in modifying health seeking behaviour pattern and treatment compliance among the schizophrenics.

For organizations to remain in operational, they have to be in a state of change, this is done with the view to balance with the environment. Research has shown that managers who fail to adopt changes will ultimately be forced to shut down their operations. The purpose of the study was to determine influence of adaptive organization structure practices on performance of commercial based state parastatals in kenya. The study adopted a cross section survey research design and the target population were the fifty five (55) commercial based state parastatals. A sample of forty eight (48) commercial based state parastatals was used for the study. These were identified through stratified random sampling. The respondents of this study constituted CEO’s, Finance Managers and HR Managers and finance managers of each of the sampled commercial based state parastatals. Collection of data was conducted with the aid of questionnaires and interviews. Collection of Secondary data was done from financial and audited statements. Questionnaires were hand delivered to the respondents in the respective institutions by the help of research assistants. The research assistants self-administered the questionnaires to the respondents of the sampled commercial based state parastatals under the supervision of the researcher. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24 and Microsoft Excel. Regression models were fitted and hypothesis testing was carried using standard F and t tests. The study found that adaptive organization structure practices was found to positively and significantly influence performance of commercial based parastatals in Kenya. Board composition was found not to have a significant moderating influence on the relationship between strategic change practices and performance

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of strategic responses on Performance in higher education institutions in Mombasa County. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of strategic responses on Performance in the higher education institutions in Mombasa County. However, the study specifically sought to; assess the effect of Strategic organizational entrepreneurship, evaluate the effect of strategic alliances, determine the effect of organizational learning and assess the effect of strategic planning on Performance in higher education institutions in Mombasa County. The theories used in the study include the institutional theory, resource dependency theory and the regain fit theory. The research design adopted by this study was quantitative. The target population was the 49 institutions of higher education based in Mombasa County as at 10th May 2017. A multi stage sampling technique was employed whereby stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques were be used to select the respondents from the study population of 50 and a sample size of 43 institutions of higher education. 3 respondents were selected from each strata hence the target respondents were 135. The questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument and administered to 3 managers hence 132 questionnaires were administered. Out of the 132 questionnaires, administered 75 questionnaires were completed. Prior to processing the responses, the filled questionnaires were edited and checked for completeness and consistency. A pilot study was used for checking of the reliability and validity of the questionnaires. The questionnaires were coded and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), which was used for the data analysis. Specifically, data analysis and interpretation was done through descriptive statistics, measures of dispersion and inferential statistics. The findings of the study show that Strategic organizational entrepreneurship, strategic alliances, organizational learning and strategic planning have a significant effect on Performance in HEI’s in Mombasa County. Analysis of the relationship between the strategic responses and Performance in the HEI’s was positively correlated and statistically significant. The study concludes that in order to enhance Performance in HEI’s, these strategic responses need to be adapted. The study recommends that HEI’s should consider realigning their structure to accommodate the variables. Additionally, the study recommends planning that in HEI’

The study aimed to assess the effect of supplier selection on the performance of Oryx Energies Kenya Limited. The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of supplier selection on the organization performance, to assess the effect of supplier qualification on organization performance, to find out the effect of contract award to the suppliers on organization performance. The study used Greg system theory, the Lean supplier competence model and Agency theory. The research used descriptive survey design because it collects data in order to answer questions concerning the current situation of subject. The study involved 231 officers in procurement department. The survey used stratified random sampling technique in order to achieve its purpose. A sample size of 92 respondents was reached through proportionate stratified sampling. The study used questionnaires which were self-administered to the respondents who were given a period of two weeks to fill them. The study adopted qualitative data analysis. The analyzed data was then presented in tables, charts and graphs so as to facilitate clear interpretation of results and assist in drawing of conclusions and discussions followed immediately explaining on the same. The descriptive statistical tool helped in describing the data and determining the respondents' degree of agreement with the various statements under each factor. Data analysis was done with the help of SPSS version 22.0. The study showed that all the variables had Cronbach Alpha of more than 0.9 this shows that the tool used to collect data set was reliable and consistent; All variables had skewness and kurtosis value within the acceptable range, which shows that the data was normally distributed. The study also concludes that that supplier contract award, supplier qualification and supplier identification have direct correlation with organization performance such that organization performance increases with each increment in the effectiveness of each factor. The study also conclude that the organization financial position has really been affected because the company relies so much on the supply chain in terms of cost cutting, it’s also clear that the organization takes long to implement the laid down policies. The study recommended that the management should introduce regular performance reviews and set up suppliers screening process this will help to keep tabs on their work and ensure they are fulfilling the organizations needs accordingly, the organization needs to have more than one supplier, and the supplier can be relied on in case of emergency orders. The researcher suggested that a similar study should be conducted in other related organizations in the oil business in other counties.

Synthetic dyes are essential raw materials in numerous industrial processes, which include textile, food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. However, they constitute environmental pollutants when discharged as wastewater effluents without adequate treatment. This work is focused on the treatment of a dye, Eosin Red, through the photocatalytic degradation process using anatase nano titanium dioxide. The light source for this experiment is an 8 W monochromatic UV bulb, which provides wavelength of sufficient energy to overcome the anatase titanium dioxide band energy of 3.2 eV. Dye concentration reduction was determined using a UV/Vis Spectrophotometer, with 519 nm as the wavelength of maximum absorbance of Eosin Red dye. The result obtained showed a significant degree of ER photodegration and highlighted the dependence of the photodegradation process on some influencing parameters like initial concentration of dye, catalytic loading, contact time, and pH. The kinetic study in this research indicates that the photodegradation of Eosin red dye strongly follows pseudo-first-order kinetics, as is evident in the R2 and k’ values of 0.998 and 0.0115 min-1 respectively of 10ppm Eosin red 

Abacus has been considered as one of the most significant tools used for teaching and learning of mathematics among primary school mathematics teachers since it helps in spurring better performance in mathematics. However, most of the teachers who use it have reported poor and perennial ineffective use of Abacus in Rachuonyo South Sub County. It is a simple mathematics tool used for calculation and easy to use when solving problems in mathematics. The study objectives were to; find out how the effective use of Abacus can be achieved; to determine age and gender differences in the effective use of Abacus, to explore the challenges faced by mathematics teachers in using Abacus and finally to establish the strategies that could ensure the effective use of Abacus in the teaching and learning of mathematics in public primary schools. Using descriptive survey design, this study was framed from Vygotsky’s constructivism theoretical perspective. This study targeted 170 public primary schools with 1,069 mathematics teachers of which568 were males and 501 were females. Purposive random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 30% which was 51 public primary schools and 321 class three mathematics teachers. Questionnaires were used for quantitative data collection. Interviews were conducted among 51 heads of mathematics department while observation was done throughout the process. The validity of the instruments for data collection was ensured by expert judgment of the University lecturers. The reliability was determined by the Split Half method and a reliability coefficient of r=0.791was reported. Trustworthiness of the study ensured the validity and reliability of the data from the study. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 22 while qualitative data was analysed based on the construct items relating to important components on the use of Abacus. The study established that, Abacus improves performance in mathematics among pupils in primary schools in Kasipul Division. The findings of the study also revealed that, teachers had positive attitude towards Abacus. Abacus is good and effective in spurring new skills for teaching and learning of mathematics, however, most of the mathematics teachers lack the skills to use abacus effectively and need to be trained on the use of abacus. Age differences did not significantly affect the effectiveness in the use of Abacus in teaching mathematics; however, there was gender difference on the effective use of Abacus for teaching mathematics where effectiveness for male teachers was higher than that of their female counterparts. The study also established several challenges faced by mathematics teachers in the use of Abacus simply due to lack of skills. The study findings established that, mathematics teachers adopted several strategies to ensure effective use of Abacus in the teaching and learning of mathematics. The study recommended that, the Kenyan Ministry of Education should train the mathematics teachers on the effective use of abacus. Moreover, the Kenya Institute for Curriculum Development should infuse the use of Abacus into the mathematics syllabus. The significance of this study therefore is that, it is believed the findings of this study will be used by mathematics teachers to improve in teaching mathematics, provide curriculum planners with an insight to infuse effective use of abacus in mathematics curriculum development and finally it is hoped that this study will generate knew knowledge in this field of study and further research.