Socio-Economic Factors and Women Participation in Mining: a Case of Rwanda Mining

This report presents a study conducted in Rwanda Mining Association to assess Socio-Economic Factors and Women Participation in Rwandan Mining Projects. Specific objectives for the study were: To investigate the effect of socio-cultural and economic factors on women participation in mining projects; Determine the influence of company management procedures on women participation in mining project; and to examine the impact of mine sites working and living conditions on women participation in mining projects. Using purposive and simple random sampling technique, the target population of 835 workers (676 men and 159 women) was selected from 30 mining companies. The sample size of 270 respondents including 51 women and 219 men was also selected. Collected data was analysed through SPSS software using chi-square and regression models. It was found that socio-cultural beliefs and Socio-economic factors have negative relationship with women participation in mining. Company management procedures (recruitment, workers’ promotion, and skills development and job allocation procedures) applied in human resources management were also found to have negative effect on women participation in mining. The nature of mining work places, working and living conditions in terms of occupational Safety and Health (OSH) of workers do not facilitate women integration in mining. Female workers face particular challenges such as being fired once they get pregnant and lack of work contracts. If mining is to contribute for poverty reduction by eliminating inequality in accessing economic benefits in rural areas between men and women, all these factors should be addressed in a manner favourable to women. More sensitizations are recommended for community to promote good understanding on equal sharing of economic resources between men and women. Improved work environment is needed for both men and women. As in other sector of activity, women’s rights associated with employment should be respected as well. Key words: Culture, Gender equality; gender mainstreaming; Mining, Mining Project DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-18-08 Publication date:September 30th 202

E-Payment System and Financial Performance of Telecom Companies in Rwanda: Case Study of MTN Rwanda MOMO Service

The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of e-payment system and financial performance of telecommunication companies and the study carried out in MTN Rwanda, MOMO service. E-payment system as independent variable and financial performance as dependent variable. This study has the following specific objectives: To examine the money transfer services on financial performance of MTN Rwanda; to evaluate the financial key performance indicators of MTN Rwanda; to investigate the e-payment services on the financial performance of MTN Rwanda; to assess the role of mobile banking on financial performance of MTN Rwanda between 2016 and 2019; and to establish the relationship between e-payment system and financial performance. The study shows findings shows that 31 (53.4%) of Respondents strongly agreed that sending and receiving money between two subscribers of MOMO service highly affect profitability Ratio of MTN Rwanda. It Indicates that 26 (44.8%) of Respondents strongly agreed that buying airtime with MOMO service affect an increase in Sales volume of MTN Rwanda. It indicates that 27 (46.6%) of Respondents strongly agreed that paying TV with MOMO service positively affect long term investment of MTN Rwanda. It indicates that 32 (55.2%) of Respondents strongly agreed that depositing and withdrawing money on bank account with MOMO service highly affect profitability Ratio. The findings prove that there is a positive correlation between money transfer services and long term investment (p=.774 and sig=.000); between payment and profitability (p=.972 and sig=.000); between mobile banking services and improved sales volume (p=.866and sig=.000); between money transfer services and payment services (p=.785 and sig=.000); between payment service and mobile banking services (p=.781 and sig=.000); long term investment and profitability (p=.986 and sig=.000). Hence, the results indicate that e-payment systems have a positive and significant relationship with financial performance of MTN Rwanda MOMO services. Keywords: E-payment, Money transfer, Mobile banking, Mobile money, financial performance DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-16-18 Publication date:August 31st 202

The effect of employee training on project performance A case of the Girl Child Catch up project of the International Education Exchange

The main purpose of the study is to assess the effect of employee training on project performance. The study used the case of the ‘Girl Child Catch up project’ of International Education Exchange (IEE). Trainer characteristics, training design, managerial/peer support and trainee characteristics were used to predict performance. The objectives of the study were: to examine the effect of trainer characteristics on performance on the girl child catch up project, to assess the effect of managerial/peer support on performance of the girl child catch up project, to examine the effect of trainee characteristics on performance and to assess the relationship between trainer characteristics, training design, managerial/peer support, trainee characteristics and project performance. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were utilized and census method was used given the small size (50) of the study population. Questionnaires were distributed for data collection, the data coded and analyzed by way of SPSS. The analysis was the descriptive, correlation and regression. Findings indicated that, trainee characteristics, peer support, trainer characteristics and training design account for 10.6% (R squared .106) variance in the performance of the girl child catch up project. Thus, the model was significant in the prediction of performance on the girl child catch up project due to employee training. The study recommends that the girl child catch up project encourage an environment that promotes effective training by giving managerial/peer support needed in the training with aim to improve on the performance of the project

Effect of Project Team Competences on Performance of Development Projects in Rwanda: A Case of World Vision’s Village Savings Loan Association Project in Gasabo District

Competence is an effective demonstration of a project team in performing certain activities that are related to job relevant behavior, motivation and technical knowledge/skills. The purpose of this research study was to assess the effect of project team competences on performance of development projects in Rwanda; case of World Vision’s Village Saving Loan Association Project in Gasabo District. This study was guided by the following objectives; to assess the effect of project team professional competence on performance of World Vision’s Village Savings Loan Association project in Gasabo District, to determine the effect of project team social competence on performance of World Vision’s Village Savings Loan Association project in Gasabo District, and to determine the effect of project team leadership competence on performance of World Vision’s Village Savings Loan Association project in Gasabo District. In spite of significant investments in project management training and other project team systems and processes, there still exists a high rate of project failure. Majority of these failures have been linked to problems within project teams, lack of skills, lack of expertise and insufficient communication. This study target 120 employees of World Visions’ project team implementing the Village Savings Loan Association Project in Gasabo District. A descriptive research design was adopted in this study. Correlations were used to measure the associations between the dependent and independent variables appropriately. A final sample size of 92 respondents were chosen and structured questionnaires used to collect the data. Study findings revealed a strong positive correlation of 0.613 between professional competence and project performance; a weak positive correlation of 0.465 between social competence and project performance and lastly a rather insignificant positive correlation of 0.041 between leadership competence and project performance. This study therefore concluded that professional competence and social competence had an effect on performance of development projects. This study recommends for increased access to trainings and workshops for professional development; encourage and mentor one another using proved workable social relations to spur implementation of developmental projects and finally, to underline the significance of project leadership competence right from the top. Keywords: Project Team competencies, Development projects, Project performance

188 Re Tailor Made Skin Patch for the Treatment of Skin Cancers and Keloid: Overview and Technical Considerations

The incident of non-melanoma skin cancer and keloid is increasing and is associated with pain, itch and discomfort. Several methods have been used for the treatment but are associated with high recurrence rate. Tailor made Rhenium-188 (188Re) skin patch is convenient, non-invasive and safe method for the treatment. The recurrence is not noted during follow up period of more than three years

EFFECTS OF MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES ON STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE IN RWANDA. CASE STUDY OF RWANDA STOCK EXCHANGE

Countries all over the world are generally concerned about the performance of the stock markets due to its greater contribution to financial stability of the country and by extension economic growth. Through trading in securities in the stock market, the country is able to mobilize savings and channel it to viable investment opportunities which ultimately lead to expansion of GDP. Several studies have been carried out in Rwanda regarding the stock market performance but none looked at the macroeconomic effects on stock market performance in Rwanda. The study analyzed the effects of exchange rate, GDP growth rate, inflation (CPI) and interest rate (KRR) on stock market performance measured by market capitalization. The study used monthly time series data for a period of 6 years. Engel Granger Cointegration tests were carried out to determine the long run relationship between the variables respectively. The study adopted VAR method in analyzing the effects of the above macroeconomic variables on stock market performance. This involved computing impulse response functions and Variance Decomposition Analysis. The findings indicated that GDP, inflation and exchange rate are negatively significant in affecting stock market performance while interest rate is negatively insignificant. The study recommended that public awareness campaign on the importance of RSE should be carried out, industrialization should be encouraged to avoid high importation, money supply should be regulated to reduce inflation, Key repo rate should be lowered to encourage more borrowing for investment. This study will be important to the government in encouraging more investments through growth of RSE hence employment creation. It’s also important to the management of RSE more so to the policy analysis department in strategic decision making and offering advice to the relevant stakeholders towards achieving growth of securities market. Lastly, the study will also add on the existing literature and act as a basis of reference for future researchers.  Article visualizations

PLGA Nanoparticles for Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy of Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Novel Approach towards Reduction of Renal Radiation Dose

BACKGROUND:Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), employed for treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is based on over-expression of Somatostatin Receptors (SSTRs) on NETs. It is, however, limited by high uptake and retention of radiolabeled peptide in kidneys resulting in unnecessary radiation exposure thus causing nephrotoxicity. Employing a nanocarrier to deliver PRRT drugs specifically to the tumor can reduce the associated nephrotoxicity. Based on this, (177)Lu-DOTATATE loaded PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) were formulated in the present study, as a potential therapeutic model for NETs. METHODOLOGY AND FINDINGS:DOTATATE was labeled with Lutetium-177 ((177)Lu) (labeling efficiency 98%; R(f)∼0.8). Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) coated (177)Lu-DOTATATE-PLGA NPs (50:50 and 75:25) formulated, were spherical with mean size of 304.5±80.8 and 733.4±101.3 nm (uncoated) and 303.8±67.2 and 494.3±71.8 nm (coated) for PLGA(50:50) and PLGA(75:25) respectively. Encapsulation efficiency (EE) and In-vitro release kinetics for uncoated and coated NPs of PLGA (50:50 & 75:25) were assessed and compared. Mean EE was 77.375±4.98% & 67.885±5.12% (uncoated) and 65.385±5.67% & 58.495±5.35% (coated). NPs showed initial burst release between 16.64-21.65% with total 42.83-44.79% over 21 days. The release increased with coating to 20.4-23.95% initially and 60.97-69.12% over 21 days. In-vivo studies were done in rats injected with (177)Lu-DOTATATE and (177)Lu-DOTATATE-NP (uncoated and PEG-coated) by imaging and organ counting after sacrificing rats at different time points over 24 hr post-injection. With (177)Lu-DOTATATE, renal uptake of 37.89±10.2%ID/g was observed, which reduced to 4.6±1.97% and 5.27±1.66%ID/g with uncoated and coated (177)Lu-DOTATATE-NP. The high liver uptake with uncoated (177)Lu-DOTATATE-NP (13.68±3.08% ID/g), reduced to 7.20±2.04%ID/g (p = 0.02) with PEG coating. CONCLUSION:PLGA NPs were easily formulated and modified for desired release properties. PLGA 50:50 NPs were a more suitable delivery vehicle for (177)Lu-DOTATATE than PLGA 75:25 because of higher EE and slower release rate. Reduced renal retention of (177)Lu-DOTATATE and reduced opsonisation strongly advocate the potential of (177)Lu-DOTATATE-PLGA-PEG NPs to reduce radiation dose in PRRT

99mTc-DMSA (V) in Evaluation of Osteosarcoma: Comparative Studies with 18F-FDG PET/CT in Detection of Primary and Malignant Lesions

To evaluate the role of 99mTc-DMSA (V) and [18F]FDG PET-CT in management of patients with osteosarcoma, 22 patients were included in our study. All patients underwent both 99mTc-DMSA (V) and whole-body [18F]FDG PET-CT scans within an interval of 1 week. 555–740 MBq of 99mTc-DMSA (V) was injected i.v. the whole-body planar, SPECT images of primary site and chest were performed after 3-4 hours. [18F]FDG PET-CT images were obtained 60 minutes after i.v. injection of 370 MBq of F-18 FDG. Both FDG PET-CT (mean SUVmax = 7.1) and DMSA (V) scans showed abnormal uptake at primary site in all the 22 patients (100% sensitivity for both). Whole-body PET-CT detected metastasis in 11 pts (lung mets in 10 and lung + bone mets in 1 patient). Whole-body planar DMSA (V) and SPECT detected bone metastasis in one patient, lung mets in 7 patients and LN in 1 patient. HRCT of chest confirmed lung mets in 10 patients and inflammatory lesion in one patient. 7 patients positive for mets on DMSA (V) scan had higher uptake in lung lesions as compared to FDG uptake on PET-CT. Three patients who did not show any DMSA uptake had subcentimeter lung nodule. Resuts of both 99mTc-DMSA (V) (whole-body planar and SPECT imaging) and [18F]FDG PET-CT were comparable in evaluation of primary site lesions and metastatic lesions greater than 1 cm. Though 99mTc-DMSA (V) had higher uptake in the lesions as compared to [18F]FDG PET-CT, the only advantage [18F]FDG PET-CT had was that it could also detect subcentimeter lesions

A Pan-India, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Study of Healthcare Practitioners in India Regarding Immunomodulatory Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in COVID-19

Introduction: Vitamin D has immunomodulatory effects and vitamin D deficiency has been associated with autoimmune responses and increased risk of infections. Vitamin D-mediated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory responses play an effective role in the prevention of various respiratory tract infections including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Aims and objective: To evaluate the therapeutic role of vitamin D via immunomodulation in COVID-19 through a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study of pan India healthcare practitioners (HCPs) to arrive at a common consensus statement regarding dosage and duration of vitamin D for immune-modulatory function. Methods: A pan-India, online, questionnaire-based, KAP survey was conducted on vitamin D and its role in immunomodulation in COVID-19 from April 2021 to January 2022 followed by polling obtained from 2,338 HCPs through round table meetings (RTMs). Results: Approximately 64% of HCPs considered the use of vitamin D in COVID-19 patients for various reasons including prevention of illness, reduced ICU stay, reduction in morbidity and mortality along with decrease in the levels of inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients. For the dosage regime, 47% of HCPs preferred vitamin D 60,000 IUweekly while 45% of HCPs preferred both 60,000 IU weekly and 2,000 IU daily dose for boosting immune system in their patients. Conclusion: The panel agreed that vitamin D levels of 40 ng/mL and above appear to confer better immune-protective response to several infections including COVID-19