Development and operational analysis of highway alternating merge transition zones

The design and control of work zone traffic control areas is governed by standards published by the United States Department of Transportation (US-DOT) and documented in the Manual for Uniform Control Devices (MUTCD). While these configurations have evolved over time to reflect safer and more efficient management practices and have become familiar to drivers, they are also recognized as areas of vehicle conflict that can cause congestion and safety problems. As part of this research, a new design has been developed that has the potential to lessen the detrimental effects of lane closures in work zones. This new concept, known as the “joint merge,” is configured to simultaneously merge two lanes into one. The key feature of the joint merge design is its use of a two-sided taper. In it, both lanes approaching a lane reduction are simultaneously tapered into a single lane, with neither lane having a priority, thereby influencing drivers to merge in a smooth alternating pattern. The joint merge configuration was examined at a work zone site in Louisiana and compared to the MUTCD conventional merge configuration that was tested at the same site. The performance measures collected in the field included lane-specific volume and vehicle speeds. The two designs were quantitatively compared using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and T-test statistical procedures. These two testing agents were used to analyze the effects each design had on volume, speed and vehicle lane distributions at several locations in advance of the work zone entrance. Using speed and volume data, the joint merge traffic control plan was found to increase the efficiency of the closed lane and better encourage the use of both lanes leading up to the work zone entrance. It was further concluded that the number of lane changes during low and high volume periods decreased when the joint merge configuration was used. While no conclusive findings could be made relative to its specific effect on capacity, the video recordings and lane usage data suggested that the joint merge strategy was understood and well received by most drivers

A study of the relationship between school dropout and AIDS orphans in Oshana region

Thesis (MPhil) -- Stellenbosch University, 2012.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: We do not know if there is a relationship between school dropout and being an AIDS orphan in Oshana region. This research seeks to investigate why some orphaned children drop out of school. Despite government and Non-governmental agencies‘ support, cases of orphans abandoning education still abound. The research instrument for data collection was done through qualitative and quantitative methods followed by triangulation of two tools: a questionnaire and focus group discussions. The information gathered were analysed using the SPSS data analysis software as well as through coding of qualitative data. This study combined the two approaches to gain a more complete picture of the situation of orphans and school dropout. It was found that many orphans still face many challenges and to some continuing with schooling is just a luxury they can ill afforded. Lack of parental love and support, weak to non-existence of guardian support, domestic problems, food security, poor awareness of GRN support interventions, poor psychosocial support and working to earn income ranked amongst the highest reasons some orphans drop out of school. The concerns of majority of life skill teachers towards the well-being of AIDS orphans have greatly ameliorated the self-worth and schooling of orphans.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit is onduidelik of daar 'n verband is tussen staking van skoolstudie en MIV-weeskinders in die Oshana gebied van Namibië. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om te bepaal waarom sekere MIV-verwante weeskinders hulle skoolstudies onderbreek of staak. Inligting is versamel deur middel van beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodes en die resultate van die studies is daarna met mekaar vergelyk. Vir die studie is 'n vraelys en fokusgroep onderskeidelik gebruik. Die inligting wat verkry is, is deur middel van die SPSS dataontledings-sagteware ontleed. Daar is bevind dat baie weeskinders steeds baie uitdagings te bowe moet kom ten einde hulle skoolloopbane te voltooi. Daar is 'n gebrek aan ondersteuning deur die ouers; 'n swak huislike ondersteuningstelsel; huislike probleme; gebrek aan die sekuriteit van gereelde voeding en swak psigososiale ondersteuning. Kinders moet ook dikwels werk om inkomste aan te vul. Onderwysers in lewensvaardighede by die skole slaag egter daarin om hierdie probleem suksesvol aan te spreek en die selfwaarde van die kinders positief te beïnvloed. Verdere voorstelle ter verbetering word in studie gemaak

Evaluation of Acha (Digitaria exilis) Grain Fermented with Lactobacillus Species as a Probiotic Food

Aims: This study assess the effect of the fermented Acha samples in-vivo using apparently healthy and infected laboratory animals. Study Design: Acha was fermented in two forms (Local fermentation and controlled fermentation). Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Medicine (Medical Unit IV) and Department of Radiology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Services Hospital Lahore, between June 2009 and July 2010. Methodology: Acha was weighed into a fermenting container of 100 g and water of 1 litre was added to submerge it for 72 hours in the ratio 1:3. Microbial, proximate and mineral analysis was carried on all the samples. For 21 days, all fermented samples were used to feed rats infected with Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae except for the control for in vivo study and evaluated for their probiotic potential. Also, hematological study and histopathology analysis were carried out on the small and large intestine of the Albino rats that was fed with the fermented samples. The various fermented samples were freeze dried to retain the organisms used for the fermentation. Results: Haematological study (PCV, WBC, RBC, Platelets, haemoglobin and differential leucocytes) and histopathology analysis (small intestine and large intestine) of rats from all experimental groups showed that Acha fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus was able to rebuild shrinked and ruptured cells on the mucosal lining of the walls of the intestines. Conclusion: Acha fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus was observed to have the best results on the weight of rats, white blood cell count, red blood cell count and probiotic effect on the intestine of the rats fed with it

© 2009 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Political stewardship accounting for good governance in Ekiti state, Nigeria

This paper aimed at analyzing the importance of stewardship accounting in government ministries in Ekiti State and the causes of mismanagement in government-sector finance. The population comprised four thousand principal officers in the sixteen local governments of Ekiti State of Nigeria out of which four hundred were stratifiedly selected from each local government. The data were gathered through questionnaires while frequency counts, percentage scores and factor analysis were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that stewardship accounting promotes good management of public funds, increases accountability and probity in the public sector and discourages embezzlement of public funds and promotes economics growth. It was therefore recommended that the government should make sure that stewardship accounting should be set up and strictly implemented for better reconstruction of good governance so as to guide against mal-administration of the public funds by public officers; and the ascertainment of proprietary of transactions and their conformity with established rules. Key words: Politics, stewardship accounting, good governance

Effect of Lactobacillus species on the Fermentation of Acha (Digitaria exilis) Grain

Aims: To study the effects of Acha fermented with Lactobacillus spp on the nutritional composition. Study design:  Acha was fermented in two forms (Local fermentation and controlled fermentation). Acha was weighed into a fermenting container of 100g and water of 1litre was added to submerge it for 72 hours in the ratio 1:3. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State between January 2016 - October 2016. Methodology: Microbial analysis was carried out using potato dextrose agar, nutrient agar and De man Rogosa agar. pH and total titratable acidity analysis were carried out. A proximate and mineral composition of the fermented acha was also carried out. Results: A total number of thirteen (13) microorganisms were isolated from the locally fermented acha; these comprise of 8 bacteria (Bacillus spp, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp), two moulds and three yeasts (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Mucor mucedo, Sacharromyces cerevisae and Candida albicans). The pH values, reduce with increased days of fermentation. The titratable acidity in the fermentation of acha grains increased with hours of fermentation. Increase in protein, fibre content was evident in the controlled fermented Acha compared to the locally fermented Acha

Variation of Fungal Metabolites in Sorghum Malts Used to Prepare Namibian Traditional Fermented Beverages Omalodu and Otombo

Sorghum malts, which are important ingredients in traditional fermented beverages, are commonly infected by mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins may transfer into the beverages, risking consumers’ health. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine variation of fungal metabolites in 81 sorghum malts processed for brewing of Namibian beverages, otombo (n = 45) and omalodu (n = 36). Co-occurrence of European Union (EU)-regulated mycotoxins, such as patulin, aflatoxins (B1, B2, and G2), and fumonisins (B1, B2, and B3) was detected in both malts with a prevalence range of 2–84%. Aflatoxin B1 was quantified in omalodu (44%) and otombo malts (14%), with 20% of omalodu malts and 40% of otombo malts having levels above the EU allowable limit. Fumonisin B1 was quantified in both omalodu (84%) and otombo (42%) malts. Emerging mycotoxins, aflatoxin precursors, and ergot alkaloids were quantified in both malts. Notably, 102 metabolites were quantified in both malts, with 96% in omalodu malts and 93% in otombo malts. An average of 48 metabolites were quantified in otombo malts while an average of 67 metabolites were quantified in omalodu malts. The study accentuates the need to monitor mycotoxins in sorghum malts intended for brewing and to determine their fate in the beverages

Mycotoxins in stored cereals from rural households in central northern Namibia

Cereal contamination by mycotoxins is a significant food safety concern globally. To date, the spectrum of mycotoxins in stored cereals in Namibia was not yet studied. Therefore, this study aimed to gather data on grain storage practices and mycotoxin awareness using validated questionnaires as well as determine by LC-MS/MS analysis the types and levels of mycotoxins present in 100 samples of stored cereal flour in rural households in two regions (Oshana and Oshikoto) of central northern Namibia. In both regions, cereal grains were predominantly stored in traditional silos and for longer periods of more than 12 months under poorly aerated conditions. One hundred and ninety-four metabolites of fungal, bacterial and plant origins, including 30 regulated and emerging mycotoxins, were positively identified in at least one sample. About 42% of all samples were contaminated with aflatoxins, and 14% and 9% samples exceeded the European Union’s maximum acceptable limit of 2 μg/kg AFB1 and 4 μg/kg total aflatoxin limit, respectively. Only five emerging mycotoxins (moniliformin, alternariolmethylether, tenuazonic acid, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) and enniatin B) contaminated at least 50% of all samples. 3-NPA had the highest concentration in all flour samples (max: 54,400 μg/kg; mean: 5420 μg/kg). In view of the consumption of the flour by children and adults, the extremely high levels of 3-NPA and evident co-contamination by different toxin classes, urgent mitigation interventions that include educational awareness campaigns and provision of better storage facilities are required to minimize mycotoxin contamination in the staple cereals in central northern Namibia

A cross-sectional evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors in coronary heart disease associated with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus

The contribution from lipoproteins, blood pressure, albuminuria and demographic variables to coronary heart disease in 90 adult subjects with and 172 without Type 1 diabetes mellitus was examined in order to investigate whether risk factors were of equivalent importance in diabetic and non-diabetic coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease (CHD) was present in roughly 25% of subjects in each group. In Type 1 diabetes those with CHD had significantly higher levels of systolic blood pressure, albumin excretion, serum creatinine, triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol and C-peptide, and reductions in serum concentrations of HDL and HDL2 cholesterol, in comparison to those without. However, the prevalence of smokers, and concentrations of Lp(a), ApoB and fibrinogen were comparable. Blood pressure and HDL cholesterol were higher in the CHD group with Type 1 diabetes in comparison to the nondiabetic group with CHD, although LDL concentrations and the prevalence of Lp(a) concentrations &gt; 200 mg/l were lower. Logistic regression analysis revealed the strongest independent predictors of CHD in Type 1 diabetes were serum triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, age, serum LDL cholesterol, and the daily insulin dosage, whereas in the non-diabetic control group HDL2 cholesterol, Lp(a), ApoA1 and ApoB, total serum cholesterol and body mass index were additional predictors. CHD in Type 1 diabetes appears to be most closely associated with increasing age and levels of blood pressure and total serum lipids. Apolipoproteins and albuminuria did not seem to be important independent predictors of CHD in Type 1 diabetes, whereas the former were more clearly associated with CHD in non-diabetic controls.</p

Association of food consumption patterns and nutritional status of children under 5 years from rural households in Northern regions, Namibia

Many developing countries, Namibia included, have a high prevalence of malnutrition among children, especially in rural subsistence farming areas where inadequate food supply is common. Poor diets in children under 5 years may result in negative health impacts. This study determined the association of food consumption patterns and nutritional status of children under 5 years from rural households in Oshana and Oshikoto regions in Namibia. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive design, 377 children under 5 years participated in this study using purposive sampling. Validated dietary diversity and food frequency questionnaires were used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, commonly consumed food per week, and meal frequencies for the recruited children. Anthropometric measurements BackgroundMany developing countries, Namibia included, have a high prevalence of malnutrition among children, especially in rural subsistence farming areas where inadequate food supply is common. Poor diets in children under 5 years may result in negative health impacts. This study determined the association of food consumption patterns and nutritional status of children under 5 years from rural households in Oshana and Oshikoto regions in Namibia.MethodEmploying a cross-sectional descriptive design, 377 children under 5 years participated in this study using purposive sampling. Validated dietary diversity and food frequency questionnaires were used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, commonly consumed food per week, and meal frequencies for the recruited children. Anthropometric measurements were obtained to assess nutritional status of children using Emergency Nutrition Assessment (ENA) software. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed using the IBM® SPSS® Statistics (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 27.ResultsStaple foods, mostly grains, roots and tubers, along with flesh foods, legumes and nuts were commonly consumed. Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables were solely consumed in Oshana region (10.7%) and not in Oshikoto. Oshana exhibited a lower dietary diversity score (4±1 SD) compared to Oshikoto (5±1 SD). The prevalence of adequate feeding practices varied, with Oshana having 38.8% meeting minimum milk feeding frequency (MMFF), 55.6% minimum dietary diversity (MDD), 69.8% minimum meal frequency (MMF), and 27% minimum acceptable diet (MAD). In Oshikoto, these figures were lower at 2%, 7%, 32%, and 0.5%, respectively. Stunting, underweight, wasting, and overweight were also documented, with slight differences between the two regions. The study did not find association between nutritional status and MMFF, MDD and MAD. However, significant associations were found between specific food types, amount of food, breastfeeding length, MMF and malnutrition indicators in both regions (p&lt;0.05).ConclusionMost study participants consumed locally available staple foods. Stunting, underweight, and wasting were prevalent among children in the two regions which were significantly associated to the amount of food consumed, MMF and/ some food types. Improving food environments and eliminating access barriers to diversified diets can mitigate high prevalence of malnutrition among rural children