A survey of computed tomography imaging techniques and patient dose in Kenya

Objectives: To assess the level of patient dose in Computed Tomography examination in Kenya, compare with the international diagnostic reference levels and establish the initial national diagnostic reference levels.Design: The patient doses for brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis examinations were assessed using typical exposure factors on head and body dosimetry phantoms. A log normal graphical method was developed and used in deriving the initial national diagnostic reference levels for the two dose quantities.Setting: Twenty one representative Computed Tomography facilities at different hospitals and clinics.Subjects: A questionnaire method was developed and used in recording the scanning parameters for head, chest, abdomen and pelvis adult examinations at each facility.Results: The radiation exposure from Computed Tomography examinations was determined to be below the weighted Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDlw) and Dose Length Product (DLP) reference levels by 90% and 62% respectively.Conclusion: The mean CTDlw measurements for the adult patients were below Diagnostic Reference levels (DRLs). The mean DLP values for adult patients in some examination were above DRLs, with large variations of up to a factor of eleven. This indicates the need for local optimised scanning protocols and use of local diagnostic reference level in order to reduce patient doses without affecting diagnostic image quality

EFFECT OF BUYER-SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS ON PROCUREMENT PERFORMANCE: EVIDENCE FROM KENYAN SUPERMARKET

The purpose of this paper was to establish the effect of buyer-supplier relations on procurement performance. The study was informed by social exchange theory. This study employed explanatory research design. The target population was 112 procurement and sales managers drawn from thirty-four (34) supermarkets located in Nairobi County. Census technique was used. Data was obtained using structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, means, and standard deviation. In addition, Pearson correlation and multiple regression models were used to test linear relationship and hypothesis testing respectively. Study results showed that commitment, communication, cooperation and trust has a positive and significant effect on procurement performance. Hence, high levels of commitment, trust, communication and cooperation enhance sustainable competitive advantage hence improving the procurement performance. The study therefore recommends that there is need for firms to have a long term partnership with the major suppliers and aim at giving maximum attention to the relationship with suppliers so as to maintain it and enhance competitive advantage which will lead to improved procurement performance. There is also need for firms to have frequent and timely communication with suppliers and inform them of unforeseen challenges. Suppliers need to keep the promises made to the firm and offer credible information and keep the firm’s best interests in mind. Suppliers need to be responsible for the results of the industrialization and manufacturing process of the supplied part. It is also recommended that this study be replicated in different business sectors within the other regions

ELEMENTS OF EVENT MANAGEMENT VENTURES IN KENYA

Events management ventures (EMVs) being a new area of business has attracted entrepreneurs to invest. This paper explores the characteristics of entrepreneurs operating minor event management ventures in three selected counties in Kenya. The study looks at the entrepreneurs’ demographic data in terms of age, gender, marital status and education level, the period the venture has been in existence, the type of ventures and events engaged in and the sources of their business. Census sampling was adopted wherein 271 out of 313 entrepreneurs were interviewed. Keywords: Elements, Events, Event Management, Kenya, Minor, Ventures

Dimensions of Social Capital in Trifling Event Administration in Kenya

This paper examines indicators that measure social capital in small event management undertakings. This study enhances understanding of social capital and contributes significantly to literature on by providing pragmatic knowledge. Descriptive research design was employed in the study. Sample size of 271 industrialists formed the sample size. Census sampling was used where all the event management industrialists in Nairobi, Kisumu and Uasin Gishu counties in Kenya were included in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires containing closed-ended questions. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha. Exploratory factor analysis grouped the constructs into two components namely positive exchange and sharing. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to measure the extent to which the observed variables (positive exchange and sharing) explain the unobserved variable (social capital). The results showed that both variables adequately explained social capital of event management ventures. Keywords: Event Administration; Industrialists; Trifling; Kenya; Social Capital; Factor analysis.

Optimal Kiefer Ordering of Simplex Designs for Third-Degree Mixture Kronecker-Models with three ingredients.

The research was financed by the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD), Abstract This paper investigates the Kiefer optimality in the third-degree Kronecker model for mixture experiments. For mixture models on the simplex, a better design is obtained, by matrix majorization that yields a larger moment matrix due to increase of symmetry and Loewner ordering. The two criteria together constitute the Kiefer design ordering and any such criteria single out one or a few designs that are Kiefer optimal. For the third-degree mixture models with three ingredients, an exchangeable moment matrix was constructed by use of Kronecker product algebra. These moment matrices are symmetrical, balanced, invariant and have homogenous regression entries which are good and have desirable properties for an optimal design. Then, the necessary and sufficient conditions for two exchangeable third-degree K-moment matrices to be comparable in the Loewner matrix ordering were set up. The weights obtained from the original design were used in the construction of the weighted centroid designs. Based on the results obtained, it was shown that the set of the weighted centroid designs constitutes a minimal complete class designs for the Kiefer design ordering and that any design that is not weighted centroid design can be improved upon by convex combination of an appropriate elementary designs. Key words: Kiefer optimality, Kronecker product, weighted centroid designs, simplex centroid design. DOI: 10.7176/MTM/9-1-0

The Nature, Extent and Intensity of Land Use and Land Covers Change and Its Implications on Fringe Development in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya

In the rapidly growing urban areas of the developing countries, land use activities are changing at unprecedented rates. These continuous changes have resulted in the degradation of environmentally fragile resources, occupation of hazard-prone areas, loss of cultural resources, open space and prime agricultural land and excessive urban sprawl. This paper seeks to investigate the nature and extent of land use and land cover changes. The study was carried out in Eldoret Municipality, Land use and land cover data of Eldoret Municipality were interpreted for a 20-year time period from aerial photographs taken in 1973, 1985 and 1993.  Each set of photographs was first assembled for pre-view so as to prepare a temporary classification system as well as assess the quality of the photographs.  The study draws a conclusion that the built-up environment has generally increased.  This refers to the land under commercial, industrial, institutions and residential facilities.  The major explanation for this is the growth of urban population.    This analysis is expected to promote environmental quality of the study area and also guide the land use planners in the study area.  The information obtained can also be applied to other urban areas with similar environmental problems. Keywords: Nature, Extent, Intensity, Land Use, Land Cover Chang

Networking dimensions and performance of event management ventures in Kenya

The role of networking in the sharing of knowledge and information is well documented. What is not clear, however, are the facets of networks that best drive firm performance, and whether or not the nature of business is a factor. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of networking dimensions on the performance of event management ventures in Kenya. The researcher conceptualised that performance of ventures was a function of networking dimensions such as network capability, network structure and network dynamics. The study adopted a covariance-based confirmatory research design that sought to confirm indicators of the four variables under study, and also to establish the causal link between networking dimensions and venture performance. A population of 313 ventures was targeted, from which a sample of 288 proprietors was drawn. Using Structural Equation Modelling as the principal analysis approach, the study established that networking dimensions positively and significantly predict events venture performance. Moreover, the measurement model confirmed that the customer and learning and growth perspectives were the main indicators of events venture performance.Keywords: event management, network capability, network dynamics, network structures, structural model, venture performanc

The relationship between democracy and equal distribution of resources in Kenya : a study of All Saints Cathedral Nairobi

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/2121/thumbnail.jp