Aerobic Degradation of α-, β-, γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane by Narragansett Bay Bacterioplankton

Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) are a family of chlorinated organic compounds that were previously used as agricultural insecticides. HCHs are recognized as persistent organic pollutants due to their toxicity, recalcitrant properties, and tendency to bioaccumulate in food webs. Although HCH was first synthesized in 1825, its use was not widespread until the discovery of the insecticidal activity of the γ-HCH isomer in 1942. γ-HCH and its toxic waste isomers α-HCH and β-HCH were banned from production and use by the United Nations in 2009, yet these chemicals still present environmental problems due to their persistence in soils and surface waters. HCHs continue to be introduced into aquatic ecosystems via rain and groundwater. Bioremediation of HCH-contaminated soil and water by bacteria is a viable option for restoring these areas. Aerobic biodegredation of HCH by soil bacteria has been studied extensively, yet the HCH degrading potential of aerobic bacterioplankton in the ocean water column has not. Certain bacteria are able to utilize toxic compounds like HCH as carbon sources, and in environments where HCH concentrations are high, HCH-degrading species have the potential to out-compete other members of the microbial community and alter the greater ecological landscape. This study focuses on the effects that α, β, and γ-HCH isomers have on aerobic marine bacterial communities. These isomers were chosen due to their higher prevalence in the environment compared to other HCH isomers, as well as their toxicity. Water samples from Narragansett Bay were spiked with α, β, and γ-HCH to select for bacterial species able to tolerate or utilize these compounds. Bacteria isolated from these seawater incubations were used in subsequent HCH degradation experiments. Mass spectrometry was used to quantify the concentrations of each HCH isomer over time in order to calculate degradation rates. Comparisons of experimental and control samples highlight possible bacterial population trends in HCH-contaminated environments. Isolation of marine bacteria capable of degrading HCH in situ has potential for bioremediation of contaminated waters

Qualidade sanitária de sementes de soja.

bitstream/item/133626/1/ID10609-1992-1993sojaresultados-p115-121.pdfTrabalho apresentado na XXI Reunião de Pesquisa de Soja da Região Sul, Santa Rosa, 1993

Primary schools’ development in Somaliland – The role of Community Education Committees

The study sought to determine the methods used to participate the community in school infrastructure projects. It also examined the extent and effectiveness of the community education committee participation process. Done as a cross-sectional survey using mixed methods of inquiry, the study targeted 1002 respondents consisting of 920 headteachers and 82 officers in charge of District Education (DEOs) in Somaliland. The sample comprised 257 headteachers and 22 DEOs. Multi stage sampling was used. Purposive sampling was used to draw a sample of regions, stratified random sampling to draw a sample of headteachers while simple random sampling was used to draw a sample of DEOs. Pilot testing of the questionnaire was done on 28 headteachers. DEOs were interviewed while Headteachers filled questionnaires. Reliability of the questionnaire was ensured using Cronbach alpha. Empirical literature review, peer review and pilot testing were used to ensure validity. The response was received from 20 DEOs and 247 headteachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data collected from DEOs. Headteachers data collected by questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics. Participating the community in decision-making, offering free labour and and fundraising were the leading methods of participating communities in school infrastructure projects. Communities perceived full ownership of completed school infrastructure projects. Community members were satisfied with the schools‘ participation process. Most schools had realized their community participation goals. The CEC process was just one of the numerous ways the community participated in school infrastructure projects. The CEC participation method was largely working and realising its goals. More school development could be realised if the CEC participation process was further strengthened

Harnessing Social Capital for School Development: Community Participation in School Construction Projects

The study examined how communities participate in school construction projects in primary schools in Somaliland and how community participation in school construction projects influences the performance of those projects. The study used a correlational design and was undertaken as a cross-sectional survey. The target population was 920 primary school headteachers in all the 13 regions of Somaliland and 82 District Education Officers. A sample of 257 headteachers was drawn using multistage sampling where purposive sampling and stratified random sampling with replacement were used to sample headteachers while 22 DEOs were sampled using simple random sampling. Data was collected from headteachers using questionnaires and from DEOs using semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire was pilot tested on 28 headteachers. The response was received from 247 headteachers and 20 DEOs. Variables relationships were analyzed using path analysis and tested using t-tests at α = 5%. The main methods used to involve the community in primary schools’ construction projects were: involving them in decision-making processes, volunteering labour and fundraising. The study found that community participation had no significant influence on the performance of construction projects. Community participation in public primary schools in postwar Somaliland is a policy-driven initiative and a fill-gap measure of deficiencies left by the government’s low and inadequate capitation to schools. Low social capital in the communities participated in projects coupled with the costs and the downsides of the community participation process can result in a negative impact on the performance of those projects. Urban schools tend to benefit more from community participation than rural schools due to higher social capital stocks in urban communities as compared to rural communities

Determination of cellulose crystallinity of banana residues using near infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis

Crystallinity is an important property of lignocellulosic biomass due to its significant effect on acid/enzymatic hydrolysis. Normally, physicochemical analysis, such as powder X-ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance, is used to reveal the crystallinity content. However, these analytical methods are expensive and laborious. In this context, methods that rapidly predict the crystallinity are important, even if used only for screening calibration. Thus, we intend to show the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and chemometrics to replace reference methods in crystallinity determination. The results show that NIRS can be used to determine crystallinity in banana residues by the use of partial least squares regression, providing good coefficients of determination (R2cal,pred > 0.82), low relative errors (< 14%) and good range error ratio (≥ 7.7). The interpretation of the regression coefficients, multivariate figures of merit and external validation results indicate a strong relationship between the NIR spectrum and crystallinity in banana samples26714911499FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPSem informaçã

Influence of Risk Assessment on Performance of SME Projects in Machakos County, Kenya

Small and medium enterprise projects play a major role in most economies in economic growth and development by creating employment opportunities to many people and as a source of technological innovation to create new products and eradication of poverty. Although their contribution in economic growth is indisputable, provocative argument on factors influencing their performance has remained unsolved to date. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which risk assessment influence performance of SME projects in Machakos County. The study applied pragmatism philosophical approach and descriptive survey research design. It tested the hypothesis at 95% confidence level which stated that risk assessment does not significantly influence performance of small and medium enterprise projects in Machakos County. The study used multiple regressions model against a sample size of 265 selected from a population of 5311 small and medium enterprise projects in Machakos County using stratified and convenience sampling approach as guided by the Yamane (1967) formula. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data whereby drop and pick approach was used. The study finding revealed that majority of the risk assessment components were positively supported by the respondents and their response mean was above 3.50, composite mean. Inferential statistics depicted that risk identification, prioritization and managing change significantly influenced financial performance with β=.102(p=0.016) and β=.092(p=0.012) respectively whereas organizational goals and objectives had insignificant influence with β=.031(p=0.366). Further, risk identification and prioritization significantly influenced non-financial performance with β=.104(p=0.017) whereas organizational goals and objectives and managing change had insignificant influence with β=.020(p=0.574) and β=.054(p=0.184) respectively. Management of SME projects should ensure the significant contribution by risk identification and prioritization towards performance in general is upheld with further endeavors to improve on the risk assessment components which have insignificant impact on performance. Further investigation is necessary to establish cause of risk assessment components influence disparities on both financial and non-financial performance perspectives

Influence of Social Economic Factors on Completion of Construction Projects in Public Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya

The aim of this paper was to establish the influence of social economic factors on completion of construction projects in public secondary schools in Bungoma County, Kenya. The study was informed by construction management and soft value management theories. In the study purposive sampling technique was used in choosing 461study respondents (Principals and Chairpersons of Parents Teachers Association) who were sampled to ensure homogeneity of the selected sample in ensuring that samples were drawn from each region encompassed in the target population, then followed by simple random sampling technique from each sub county. Questionnaires and interview schedules were the main data collection instruments. Data analysis involved use of statistical package for social sciences, SPSS version 21 tool where both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Cronbach Alpha of coefficient of 0.831 was attained on all constructs of social economic factors, which was above 0.7 as recommended by Cronbach (1951) implying the research instruments were reliable. The correlation coefficient (R) or the beta value β of 0.423≠0 at p=0.00 indicated that the hypothesis was accepted. The coefficient of determination, R-square of 0.422 implied that 42.2% of the variance in completion of construction projects was attributed to social economic factors. From the study findings, social economic factors namely; interpersonal skills of project manager, inflation, corruption and community involvement affects completion of construction project progress. The community should be involved directly in school projects. This will improve their perception and goodwill towards completion of construction projects in public secondary schools. The management need to be keen on price fluctuations that eventually have an effect on completion of construction projects. Future research is encouraged to cover other sectors other than education and compare the findings. The findings are of importance to the Ministry of Education in Kenya and other interested parties in future. Researchers in future have a basis for reference from this study. Keywords: Social economic factors, Completion of construction projects, Public Secondary schools. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-12-05 Publication date: April 30th 201

Influence of Availability of Resources on Completion of Construction Projects in Public Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya

The paper aimed to determine influence of availability of resources on completion of construction projects in public secondary schools in Bungoma County, Kenya, informed by construction management and soft value management theories. The study employed purposive sampling technique in choosing 461study respondents (Principals and Chairpersons of Parents Teachers Association) who were purposively sampled to ensure homogeneity of the selected sample in ensuring that samples are drawn from each region encompassed in the target population, then followed by simple random sampling technique from each sub county. Questionnaires and interview schedules were the main data collection instruments. Data analysis involved use of statistical package for social sciences, SPSS version 21 too where both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Cronbach Alpha of coefficient of 0.927 was attained on all constructs of availability of resources, which was above 0.7 as recommended by Cronbach (1951) implying the research instruments were reliable. The correlation coefficient (R) or the beta value β of 0.577≠0 at p=0.00 indicated that the hypothesis was accepted. The coefficient of determination, R-square of 0.333 implied that 33.3% of the variance in completion of construction projects was explained by availability of resources. From the study findings, availability of resources namely funds for school construction, unavailability and or shortage of equipment and workers interferes with project quality and hinders project progress. The study concludes that availability of resources positively influences completion of construction projects. Availability of funds for school construction projects is necessary for their completion and delay in construction project funds interferes with project completion. Availability of materials and workers for school construction projects hastens project work. The current study was done in public secondary schools in Bungoma County. Future studies are encouraged to be done in both private and public secondary schools in the whole country and compare the results. In addition, the research concentrated on education sector. Future research is encouraged to cover other sectors and compare the findings. The findings are of importance to the Ministry of Education in Kenya and other interested parties in future. Future research have the basis of reference from this study. Key words: Availability of resources, Completion of construction projects, Public Secondary schools

INFLUENCE OF FUNDING ACTIVITY AS ACOMPONENT OF SANITATION FINANCING PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY LIVELIHOOD IN URBAN INFORMAL SETTLEMENT OF OBUNGA, KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA

The study sought to investigate the influence of funding activities as a component of sanitation financing programme on community livelihood in urban informal settlements of Kisumu County, Kenya. The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of funding activities on community livelihood in urban informal settlement of Obunga, Kisumu County Kenya. The study adopted inferential analysis and descriptive survey research design with sample size of 384 households and 10 key informants. The study sample was obtained through stratified simple random, and purposive sampling strategies. Quantitative data was analysed using means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. Qualitative data was transcribed and analysed in emergent themes and sub-themes. Results were interpreted and requisite recommendations made. According to the results, there is a statistically significant positive correlation between funding activities and community livelihood (p &lt; 0.05). Coefficient of determination showed that funding activities accounted for 24.1% of the changes in community livelihood. Findings from the study established that there was statistically significant correlation between funding activities as a component of sanitation financing program and community livelihood. The study recommends the funding activity should be sustained in the sanitation financing program for purposes of improving community livelihood .The study concluded that investing in funding activities of sanitation financing programme in Obunga urban informal settlement of Kisumu County, Kenya has a positive influence on community livelihood. The study calls for further research on the influence of funding activities as a component of sanitation financing program on community livelihood using other predictors of community livelihood as well as influence of sanitation financing program on community livelihood; a comparison between formal and informal urban settlements.  Article visualizations

Moderating Influence of Personal Attributes on the Relationship between Institutional Factors and Use of Student Management Information System in Teacher Education Programme by Distance Learning in Selected Universities in Kenya

Student management information systems (SMIS) are used in educational institutions to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and quality by providing easy access to students' biodata, administrative and academic information. About 80 per cent of Universities in Kenya offering teacher education programmes by distance learning still perform manual administrative tasks, with student records stored in filing cabinets, causing dust accumulation and difficulty in retrieval. Numerous studies have been conducted, but there is insufficient scientific research on the issues and challenges faced by distance learning students using SMIS. This study investigated the influence of personal attributes of learners on the use of student management information system in teacher education programme by distance learning. The indicators of personal attributes were identified as age, gender and level of education. Universities in Kenya are among the leading users of information systems that value high quality SMIS to support teacher education programme. The objective of this study was to determine the moderating influence of personal attributes on the use of SMIS in teacher education programme by distance learning in selected universities in Kenya. The study was based on Adaptive Structuration Theory, and cross-sectional survey design was used to guide the processes. Data was collected from 445 participants from selected Universities in Kenya that use SMIS in the management of teacher education programs by distance learning. A mixed approach for data collection was used that comprised structured questionnaires, interview guides and personal observation. For data analysis, Chi-square technique, Pearson correlation and regression analyses were used to test the relationships between the moderating and dependent variables. Research hypothesis was tested at α=0.05 level of significance and the null hypothesis (H0) which stated that “There is no significant moderating influence of personal attributes on use of SMIS in teacher education programme by distance learning in selected Universities in Kenya” was rejected since p=0.000&lt;0.05. The study concluded that personal attributes of learners have a significant moderating influence on the use of SMIS in teacher education programme by distance learning in selected Universities in Kenya. The finding will be useful to development planners and education policy makers by providing evidence-based information for interventions that promote ICT infrastructure in universities. The study recommended that all universities in Kenya should adopt SMIS to support their administrative and academic functions and that learners should be given continual training on the use of SMIS. The government should also fast track rural electrification and laying of high speed internet cables to support the use of SMI