Application of Marks to Computation of Ranks and Subdegrees of the Symmetric Group Acting on Ordered Pairs and on Ordered Triples

Ranks and subdegrees can be computed using combinatorial arguments, the Cauchy-Frobenius lemma and use of the concept of marks. However the concept of Marks has been given very little attention. In this paper we will apply the concept of marks to compute the ranks and subdegrees of the symmetric..........

Do Smallholder Farmers Perceive Rainfall Variability the Same and Correctly? Gendered and Spatial Analysis of Perception Versus Actual Trends of Rainfall in Three Livelihood Zones in Kenya

This study was part of a PhD thesis at Kenyatta University – Kenya Abstract In this paper we compared perceived rainfall variability with actual rainfall variability using a more nuanced and mixed approach in order to understand the influence of gender dynamics and spatial location on perceptions. To be able respond effectively to climate variability people must first perceive the changes correctly. Past studies have focused on general perceptions about climate changes but have failed to ascertain the correctness of these perceptions as well as to exhaustively focus on gender dynamics and livelihood expectations that shape these perceptions. To address these gaps we focused on a more nuanced comparison between actual climate variability and gendered perception across three livelihood zones.  We obtained historical Rainfall data from weather stations in the three livelihood zones which we analysed using Coefficient of Variance (CV) and Cumulative Departure Index (CDI). We then compared this with responses from inter-household survey data of 420 households that were stratified in stages depending on the zones and gender of the target respondents. Although it was not significantly different how women and men perceived the changes in rainfall (p-value above 0.05) men seemed to perceive the variations more correctly compared to women. All aspects of rainfall variability were significantly perceived differently in the three agricultural livelihood zones. Depending on specific livelihood expectations in each zone the variability of rainfall was either perceived correctly or wrongly. Keywords: Gendered perception, spatial perception, gender, rainfall variability, livelihood zones, Kenya

Quality Planning and Project Success in Electricity Supply Infrastructure Projects in Kenya; A Case of Transmission Infrastructure Projects

Electricity access is a challenge facing many countries in the world more so the developing ones. This challenge is more pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 597 million people (43%) lack access to electricity. To address the challenge many countries are investing in electricity supply infrastructure projects such as transmission and distribution lines and power plants. Implementation of such projects is however faced with various challenges resulting in failure to achieve the intended objectives. Scholars have proposed solutions to address these challenges but available literature indicates the issue of quality planning in projects has not been exhaustively addressed. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of quality planning on project success among electricity supply infrastructure projects in Kenya. The study was anchored on the Deming cycle and the Iron Triangle theories. A descriptive study design was employed in this research.  The study population was drawn from the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company staff, which implements electricity transmission projects in Kenya. A stratified sampling method coupled with Yamane’s formula was employed to identify the sample size of 80 among the staff. 63 responses from the surveyed staff were obtained and used for the analysis translating to a 78.75% response rate. The findings showed that the study accepted the alternative hypothesis and concluded that there is a significant and positive influence of quality planning on project success. This study concludes that quality planning is a critical factor that enhances project success in electricity infrastructure projects.&nbsp

Quality Planning and Project Success in Electricity Supply Infrastructure Projects in Kenya; A Case of Transmission Infrastructure Projects

Electricity access is a challenge facing many countries in the world more so the developing ones. This challenge is more pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 597 million people (43%) lack access to electricity. To address the challenge many countries are investing in electricity supply infrastructure projects such as transmission and distribution lines and power plants. Implementation of such projects is however faced with various challenges resulting in failure to achieve the intended objectives. Scholars have proposed solutions to address these challenges but available literature indicates the issue of quality planning in projects has not been exhaustively addressed. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of quality planning on project success among electricity supply infrastructure projects in Kenya. The study was anchored on the Deming cycle and the Iron Triangle theories. A descriptive study design was employed in this research.  The study population was drawn from the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company staff, which implements electricity transmission projects in Kenya. A stratified sampling method coupled with Yamane’s formula was employed to identify the sample size of 80 among the staff. 63 responses from the surveyed staff were obtained and used for the analysis translating to a 78.75% response rate. The findings showed that the study accepted the alternative hypothesis and concluded that there is a significant and positive influence of quality planning on project success. This study concludes that quality planning is a critical factor that enhances project success in electricity infrastructure projects.&nbsp

Quality Planning and Project Success in Electricity Supply Infrastructure Projects in Kenya; A Case of Transmission Infrastructure Projects

Electricity access is a challenge facing many countries in the world more so the developing ones. This challenge is more pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 597 million people (43%) lack access to electricity. To address the challenge many countries are investing in electricity supply infrastructure projects such as transmission and distribution lines and power plants. Implementation of such projects is however faced with various challenges resulting in failure to achieve the intended objectives. Scholars have proposed solutions to address these challenges but available literature indicates the issue of quality planning in projects has not been exhaustively addressed. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of quality planning on project success among electricity supply infrastructure projects in Kenya. The study was anchored on the Deming cycle and the Iron Triangle theories. A descriptive study design was employed in this research.  The study population was drawn from the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company staff, which implements electricity transmission projects in Kenya. A stratified sampling method coupled with Yamane’s formula was employed to identify the sample size of 80 among the staff. 63 responses from the surveyed staff were obtained and used for the analysis translating to a 78.75% response rate. The findings showed that the study accepted the alternative hypothesis and concluded that there is a significant and positive influence of quality planning on project success. This study concludes that quality planning is a critical factor that enhances project success in electricity infrastructure projects

Application of Marks to Computation of Ranks and Subdegrees of the Symmetric Group Acting on Ordered 4-Element and 5- Element Subsets

Abstract Ranks and subdegrees can be computed using combinatorial arguments, the Cauchy-Frobenius lemma and use of the concept of marks. However the concept of Marks has been given very little attention. In this paper we will apply the concept of marks to compute the ranks and subdegrees of the symmetric group ( = 7,8,9) acting on ordered 4-element subsets and ( = 8,9,10) acting on ordered 5-element subsets

Blockchain, business and the fourth industrial revolution:Whence, whither, wherefore and how?

Blockchain is one the most remarkable technological innovations of the 21st century. The most notable application of blockchain is in the development and operation of cryptocurrencies (e.g. bitcoin, ethereum, among others). Besides the financial services industry, blockchain is also considered in other sectors such as international trade, taxation, supply chain management, business operations and governance. However, blockchain has not been examined comprehensively in all areas of relevant literature. This article conducts a survey of the literature to gain an understanding of the opportunities and issues presented by blockchain in various business functions. The article begins by providing a discussion regarding how the blockchain technology operates. The paper takes a broad focus in its analysis of the prospects of blockchain for various business functions, including banking and the capital markets, corporate governance, international trade, and taxation. The paper demonstrates how organisations and regulators can leverage blockchain to upscale business operations, enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs. The key drawbacks of blockchain that stakeholders need to bear in mind before adopting the technology are also highlighted. The article also reflects on how organisations can tap into blockchain to reap the full potential of the fourth industrial revolution

Building Forward Better: Inclusive Livelihood Support in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements

For the large population living in Nairobi’s informal settlements, the long-term effects of Covid-19 pose a threat to livelihoods, health, and wellbeing. For those working in the informal sector, who are the lifeblood of the city, livelihoods have been severely supressed by Covid-19 restrictions such as curfews, pushing many into further poverty. This article draws on community data, meetings, and authors’ observations as community organisers, to explore the challenges posed by existing government responses from a community development perspective. We found that poor accountability structures and targeted income support only for the ‘most vulnerable’ exacerbates tensions, mistrust, and insecurity among already vulnerable communities. We draw on a rapid desk review of existing literature to argue that community-led enumeration to validate entitlement claims, improved accountability for distribution, and widening income support is required to build solidarity and improve the future resilience of these communities.Irish Ai

Discordant MZ twins With Cleft Lip and Palate: a model for identifying genes in complex traits.

Monozygotic (MZ) twins may be discordant for complex traits due to differential environmental exposure in utero, epigenetic variability in imprinting, X chromosome inactivation, or stochastic effects. Occasionally MZ twins may be discordant for chromosomal and single gene disorders due to somatic mosaicism. For complex traits, which are due to the interactive effects of multiple genes and environmental factors, the affected twin of a discordant MZ pair offers the possibility for identifying somatic mutations in candidate genes. DNA sequencing of candidate genes in discordant MZ twins can identify those rare etiologic mutational events responsible for the different phenotypes since the confounding effects of common single nucleotide polymorphisms are eliminated, as DNA sequences should be identical in MZ pairs. In this report we describe the extensive DNA sequencing of 18 candidate genes in a sample of MZ and dizygotic (DZ) twins with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate. We were unable to identify any somatic differences in approximately 34 Kb of DNA sequenced in 13 MZ pairs, for a total of approximately 900 Kb of sequence comparisons, supporting the hypothesis that nonetiologic posttwinning mutations are rare. While no etiologic variants were identified in this study, sequence comparisons of discordant MZ twins can serve as a tool for identifying etiologic mutations in clefting and other complex traits

Implementing SLMTA in the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service: lessons learned

Background: The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) is mandated to provide safe and sufficient blood and blood components for the country. In 2013, the KNBTS National Testing Laboratory and the six regional blood transfusion centres were enrolled in the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme. The process was supported by Global Communities with funding from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Methods: The SLMTA implementation at KNBTS followed the standard three-workshop series, on-site mentorships and audits. Baseline, midterm and exit audits were conducted at the seven facilities, using a standard checklist to measure progress. Given that SLMTA was designed for clinical and public health laboratories, key stakeholders, guided by Global Communities, tailored SLMTA materials to address blood transfusion services, and oriented trainers, auditors and mentors on the same. Results: The seven facilities moved from an average of zero stars at baseline to an average of three stars at the exit audit. The average baseline audit score was 38% (97 points), midterm 71% (183 points) and exit audit 79% (205 points). The Occurrence Management and Process Improvement quality system essential had the largest improvement (at 67 percentage points), from baseline to exit, whereas Facilities and Safety had the smallest improvement (at 31 percentage points). Conclusion: SLMTA can be an effective tool for preparing a blood transfusion service for accreditation. Key success factors included customising SLMTA to blood transfusion activities; sensitising trainers, mentors and auditors on operations of blood transfusion service; creating SLMTA champions in key departments; and integrating other blood transfusion-specific accreditation standards into SLMTA