Archives-February 2019

In this study, physicochemical properties of Gilgel Gibe-I hydroelectric Dam water were investigated. Water samples were collected three times per day, from six sampling sites of the Dam. Physicochemical parameters including pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), Temperature and Turbidity were determined in situ, whereas, other parameters such as alkalinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), total suspended solid (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphate, nitrate, chloride, fluoride and heavy metals like Fe, Cu, Zn, Co and Cd were analyzed by FAAS in the laboratory. The finding of the study revealed that some physicochemical properties such as pH, EC, turbidity and nitrate of the studied water samples were exceeding WHO permissible limit for surface water and only Fe were investigated in the sample and within permissible limit domestic purposes. But, the remaining studied parameters are below the permissible range prescribed in WHO guideline for the surface water.

In this work we reported the status of one of Ethiopia’s Great Rift Valley Lakes; “The ever expanding Lake known as Beseka” in respect to water quality parameters. A composite sample was prepared by combining equal volumes of water samples taken from five Sampling sites. Five physical parameters (pH, DO, EC, T° and Turbidity) were determined for all samples at the spot of sampling while other physical parameters such as TSS and TDS were determined in the laboratory. AAS was used for the determination of heavy metals Pb, As, Cd, Cr, Fe, and Pb while spectrophotometer was used to determine water hardness, total chlorine, NO3-, PO43-, NH3, SO42 Alkali metals Na and K are determined by Flame Photometer. The findings indicated that the lake was found to be alkaline with pH above nine and brakish with TDS value of 2569.70 mg/L. The measured higher values of EC and turbidity resulted from higher values of TDS and TSS. Also these values are much higher than the acceptable values for surface water such as lakes. Similarly Pb, Cd, As, F- and total Cl are above the permissible values while other Physical and chemical parameter are within the acceptable limit of both WHO and FAO Guidelines for drinking and irrigation water.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS) is generally a rare complication, little-known, and remains probably under-diagnosed. Its causes and favorable factors are numerous. Eclampsia is widely one of those factors. The diagnosis is raised based on clinical and radiological signs and an adequate and early management usually help prevent the occurrence of irreversible sequels.

Urban sprawl, the changed lifestyle and urbanization requires landscaping as an essential factor. Urban landscape is so important that it is currently considered as an indicator of development. Unresponsive urban parks to meet the needs of most citizens and lack of facilities and services leads to elimination of deficiencies in an urban park, often referred to as design improvement. Due to its significance as well as the lack of relevant studies, design development should be given more attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Shahrekord Mellat Park qualitatively and quantitatively by a documentary-analytic survey. Majority of data was collected by questionnaires distributed among users of the park. Finally, data was analysed. The findings suggest that factors such as lack of facilities and furniture, lack of vegetation, lack of social security and mismanagement of the park reduce the willingness of citizens to use these areas. Finally, suggestions were made for design improvement of Shahrekord Mellat Park.

Nutrient evaluation and acceptability of cookies produced from wheat flour, tiger nut milk and fermented jack fruit seeds (Artocarpus heterophyllus). Jack fruit seeds were removed, sliced and boiled for about 60 minutes. The fermented seed was obtained by adding 3:1 ratio of water to 500g boiled jackfruit seed and were allowed to ferment naturally at room temperate for 48 hours, oven dried at 60? for 1hour, milled and sieved. Date palm fruit was washed and de-seeded. The date palm (with the pericarp) was oven dried at 45? for 8hours, milled and sieved. Tiger nut tubers was cleaned, sorted, washed and soaked overnight and milled. Tiger nut milk was centrifuged for 15mintues and pasteurized at 72? for 15minutes. Four samples were formulated FJWC1 to FJWC4.  Proximate composition of the cookies shows that cookies were higher in moisture, protein, ash (19.70%, 18.97% and 2.99%) for sample FJWC4, crude fibre (2.00%) and carbohydrate (58.82%) in FJWC1 while crude fat (13.44) in FJWC3. Micronutrient composition shows that sample FJWC4 was higher in calcium (48mg/100g), manganese (7250mg/100), iron (54250mg/100g), zinc (32720mg/100g), vitamin A (1180mg/100g) and vitamin C (1840mg/100g) while sample FJWC3 was higher in manganese (60mg/100g) and copper (2520mg/100g). Sample FJWC4 had the best score in all the sensory parameters for the formulated cookies except sample FJWC1 (100% wheat flour). 

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.

The purpose of this study was to examine the Status of teacher adequacy in public Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres in Nandi County, Kenya. The study adopted descriptive survey design using mixed methodology and pragmatism paradigm. The target population comprised of 1387 pre-school teachers, 1 county Director of ECDE, 6 Sub-County ECDE Directors and 651 primary school head teachers. A sample size of 301 teachers and 208 head teachers was obtained. Stratified and simple random sampling was used to select teachers and headteachers while purposive sampling was used in selecting the county director of ECDE and 6 Sub-County ECDE Directors. Questionnaire and interview schedules were used for collecting data for the study. Validity and reliability of the instruments were determined before data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative information. The study found out that majority of the pre-schools in the study area lacked adequate pre-school teachers, textbooks and play materials. Majority (72.0%) of the employed pre-school teachers had undergone pre-school teacher training courses therefore they had adequate and current pedagogical skills which allowed them to effectively handle pre-school learners. Majority of the pre-schools lacked adequate teaching and learning materials. The study recommended that there is need for employment of more trained pre-school teachers by the county government to improve learning. This is attributed to the fact that there were inadequate trained pre-school teachers employed by the county government yet early childhood education is a devolved function.

The Algiers Peace agreement signed on June 18, 2000 between Eritrea and Ethiopia has ended the two years border war of 1998-2000. The terms of the agreement, however, have not yet implemented although a fresh rapprochement initiatives have started since July 8, 2018. The main problem is the controversies surrounding the Eritrea-Ethiopian Border Commission’s (EBCC) final and binding decision on disputed territories due to competing positions by Eritrea and Ethiopia. It is almost 18 years since disagreement has embroiled the two countries into a state of ‘no war, no peace’ situation, marked by socio-economic and political disarrays. This article, therefore, seeks to examine the main underpinning factor of the problem and its implication for Eritrea. The author argues that the stalled peace talk was an obstacle to Eritrea in its effort for state institutionalization and democratization processes

Indigenous knowledge is otherwise known as African science and knowledge. It was conceived, born, processed, disseminated but preserved through natural inheritance from succeeding generations without written document. This study was done to discover the various indigenous knowledge jobs available, the employment status, the challenges they encounter and suggest what government can do to help. Out of four hundred and fifty (450) copies of questionnaire that were distributed, four hundred and eighteen (418) copies (92.9%) were returned with usable responses, while thirty two (32) copies (7.1%) were not returned. Descriptive statistical method was applied for the study, Questionnaire, and observations were the research instruments used for data gathering. Data were analysed using the use of frequency counts and percentages method. Findings revealed that indigenous knowledge is the pivot of Nigerian economy. If indigenous knowledge is better funded by the three tiers of Nigerian government, it is capable of reducing unemployment syndrome that besieged the country. The various levels of government should intensify efforts to improve the adult literacy programme, public orientation and enlightenment, accreditation of indigenous knowledge practitioners, grant interest free loans and establish more indigenous knowledge skill acquisition centres nationwide.

Composite flours were prepared by blending acha and Bambara flours in ratios 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40. Functional, pasting and chemical properties of the blends were evaluated. Cold extruded spaghetti samples were produced from the composite flours and 100% wheat flour as control. Proximate composition, mineral content, anti-nutritional, colour, cooking qualities and sensory acceptability of the spaghetti samples were determined. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in water absorption and oil absorption capacities between the control and the experimental samples. Loose and packed bulk densities, dispersability, water absorption and oil absorption capacities of the composite flours were as follows: 0.59 to 0.66 g/ml, 0.91 to 0.95 g/ml, 79 to 80 g/ml, 2.14 to 2.26 g/ml and 2.15 to 2.18 g/ml compared with wheat flour 0.48 g/ml, 0.77 g/ml, 75 g/ml, 2.26 g/ml and 2.46 g/ml, respectively. Swelling power of composite flour at 90 and 100oC were essentially the same, while slight differences occurred at 60, 70 and 80oC. Moisture, ash, fat, crude fiber, protein and carbohydrate contents of the blends were 12.58 to 12.91%, 1.00 to 2.50%, 2.30 to 2.40%, 0.25 to 1.00%, 12.58 to 14.63% and 67.09 to 71.20% compared with wheat flour 13.17%, 1.5%, 2.25%, 1.32%, 10.21% and 71.56%, respectively. Phytate, tannin and trypsin inhibitor contents of the extruded products were significantly reduced. The Ca and Zn of the composite spaghetti were higher than that of wheat spaghetti. Significant differences were observed in the colour of experimental spaghetti samples. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the cooked weight of composite spaghetti and wheat spaghetti. The overall acceptability of the experimental samples was about 60% of the control spaghetti.