The Impacts of COVID 19 on Small and Medium Enterprises

This study was aimed to assess the impacts of COVID 19 on the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The SMEs contributes country’s economy, it is an income opportunity for the society, and it creates employment opportunities for the youth, women and the entire society. COVID 19 has grown into an unprecedented health, economic, social, business and the entire cycle of the life. Current outbreak has severe economic consequences across the globe. To limited spread of this pandemic the global government should admire steps to curb the spread of the COVID19, through this the government imposed nightly curfews, a ban on public events, social distance, stay at home, the closure of non-essential business. This study is limited to SMEs located in Garowe to assess how the pandemic was affected the SME’s supply and demand, revenue, the employees and other business operations. The study deployed quantitative method of research with questionnaire and telephone interview for collecting data from selected respondents. The study found that the supply decreased 38% whereas the demand declined 83% as the respondents of the study confirmed. The income experienced 89% of fall down and pressured that 60% SMEs reduced the working hours. On the other hand 75% of the respondents confirmed that they are planning or already lay off the employees.  Most of the SMEs met decline of cash, the cash receipts from sales declined 72%, also the accounts receivable reduced 61% this resulted that 64% SMEs failed to cover the operating expenses. The SMEs faced financial distress or insolvency which resulted to trigger massive job losses and the shuttering of businesses. The COVID 19 has potentially dire implications for SMEs, it needs financial assistance to protect the lives and livelihoods of people, especially the most vulnerable. Finally the study recommends for the SMEs stakeholders including the chamber of commerce, government, international partners, banks and other interested parties is a needed to  take an urgent stimulus package to support immediate liquidity challenges and negative impacts raised from the containment of COVID 19 and to sustain their existence and developments. Key words: COVID 19, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), supply and demand, revenue, temporarily or permanently closure DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-25-11 Publication date:September 30th 2020

-

Energy availability is a growing concern of the 21st century worldwide and generating this energy should not affect the envinment and its inhabitants negatively. The modern energy transmission and distribution system became more interesting with the advent of smart grid and integrating renewable energy sources into the grid creates a challenging problem of managing harmonics. To effectively integrate renewable energy as well as minimizing harmonics content in the power system smart grid importance was highlighted, with value of harmonic current content measured by the total harmonic distortion (THD) based on electrical system rated current value. This thesis is aimed towards reviewing the available techniques in reducing the harmonic distortions for effective and efficient transmission of renewable energy in smart grid integration. The use of an improved control strategy was proposed which significantly improves the effectiveness of harmonic elimination in smart grid systems. The two-level and there-level inverters in solar integration to the smart grid were studied, thereby presented a controlled hydrid filtering technique that implemented three-level inverter, that provides effective means of harmonics elimination. There was significant improvement of over twenty percent in the use of three-level inverter against two-level, even with the about 25% reduction in cost, the two-level inverter losses over forty percent of power as compared to three-level. With tens of thousands of grid connected inverters globally, the cost of three-level ineverter will achieved over 15% lower cost compared with the two-level topology in just a year. Matlab/Simulink software was use to simulate the model using passive, active and hybrid filter with and without control and the hybrid method with control showed the lowest THD value, which was within acceptable limits.Enerji mevcudiyeti, dünya genelinde 21. yüzyılda artan bir endişedir ve bu enerji üretiminin çevreyi ve onun sakinlerini olumsuz yönde etkilememesi gerekmektedir. Modern enerji iletim ve dağıtım sistemleri akıllı şebekenin ortaya çıkmasıyla daha ilginç hale geldi. Yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklardan elde edilen kesintili enerjiyi şebekeye entegre etmek harmoniklerden kaynaklanan kalite sorunları yaratır. Bundan dolayı, bu çalışmada yenilenebilir enerjiyi etkili bir şekilde entegre etmek ve güç sistemi içindeki harmonik içeriğini en aza indirmek için, elektrik sistemi anma akımı değerine dayalı olarak toplam harmonik bozulma ile ölçülen harmonik akım içeriğinin değeriyle vurgulanmıştır. Bu tez, sunulan tekniklerin etkinliğini artırmak için kontrol stratejisinin kullanılmasını içeren akıllı şebeke entegrasyonunda yenilenebilir enerjinin etkin ve verimli iletimi için harmonik bozulmaların azaltılmasındaki mevcut tekniklerin gözden geçirilmesini amaçlamaktadır. Akıllı şebekeye güneş enerjisi entegrasyonunda iki seviyeli ve orada seviyedeki invertörler daha iyi incelenmiş ve böylece harmoniklerin ortadan kaldırılması tekniklerinin etkili araçlarının bir incelemesini sunmuştur. Üç seviyeli invertör kullanımında, iki seviyeye oranla yüzde yirmiden az harmonic oluşumu gözlemlenmiş; ayrıca üç seviyeli invertörlerin, güç kayıpları bazında, iki seviyeye kıyasla yüzde kırkın üzerinde kayda değer bir gelişme gösterdiği gözlemlernmiştir. Çalışma içerisinde pasif, aktif, hibrit filtreler ile filtresiz simülasyonları tamamlamak için MATLAB / Simulink yazılımı kullanılmış ve en düşük harmonic bozulma değerini göstermiştirM.S. - Master of Scienc

On Measuring the Criticality of Various Variables and Processes in Organization Information Systems: Proposed Methodological Procedure

This paper proposes methodological procedures to be used by the accounting, organizational and managerial researchers and executives to ascertain the criticality of the variables and the processes in the measurement of management control system. We have restricted the validation of proposed methods to the extraction of critical success factors (CSF) in this study. We have also provided a numerical illustration and tested our methodological procedures using a dataset of an empirical study conducted for the purpose of ascertaining the CSFs. The proposed methods can be used by the researchers in accounting, organizational information systems, economics, and business and also in other relevant disciplines of organizational sciences. The main contribution of this paper is the extension of Rockart’s work [33] on critical success factors. We have extended the theory of CSF beyond the initially suggested domain of information into management control system decision making. The methodological procedures developed by us are expected to enrich the literature of analytical and empirical studies in accounting and organizational areas where it can prove helpful in understanding the criticality of individual variables, processes, methods or success factors.Success Factors, Criticality Analysis, Perceptual Criticality, Critical Success Factors

Seroprevalence of Varicella Zoster Virus Infection among Primary school Children In Northern Nigeria

Background: Varicella Zoster infection occurs exclusively in man and commonly affects children with predilection for school age children. Following infection the course of the disease in immunocompetent children is often mild and self limited but in older age groups infection may be severe with poor outcomes ranging from complicating bacterial morbidities to death. In Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria the seroprevalence ofVaricella - zoster virus (VZV) infection is unknown The current cross - sectional study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of VZV infection among nursery and primary school pupils in Kaduna State. Mathods: Nursery and primary school pupils between the ages 4 and 15 years were randomly selected from the three geopolitical zones of Kaduna State . Demographic data on each subject  were obtained by administration of a questionnaire and blood samples were collected for serum analysis of Varicella - zoster virus immunoglobulin G (IgG) using the Automat ion ELISA IgG Kit manufactured by Automation INC. USA. Data obtained were summarized using percentages and frequency tables. Results were analyzed using Epi- info version 3.0. Results: Three hundred and fifty three pupils were recruited for the study. The overall prevalence rate for VZV infection was 66.3% with the value in males being 68.5% and in females 63.9%. The prevalence of VZV infection increased with age in both sexes. A high percentage of children (60%) were seropositive at 4-6 years. Conclusion: The study shows a 66.3% prevalence of VZV infection among children in Kaduna State. Thi s high pr eva l enc e r a t e necessitates further studies to establish the burden of the problem in Nigeria and rationalize the institution of preventive measures against the infection, particularly immunocompromi sed young children

Determination of Placement Distance of Fertilizer for Sugarcane as an Agronomic Requirement Relevant in the Design of a Fertilizer Applicator

Fertilizer placement distance at which sugarcane utilizes fertilizer optimally was determined in terms of its growth parameters (root distribution, stem height, stalk thickness, and leaf count). Three placement distances (4, 8 and 12 cm) were used as treatment and replicated four times. After subjecting the data obtained to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for Complete Randomized Design (CRD), the average means for a placement distance of 4 cm (for root distribution, stem height, stalk thickness and leaf count) are 3,910.75 cm 2 , 30.83 cm, 0.763 cm, and 9.5, while for 8 cm placement distance are 2,011.63 cm 2 , 27.70 cm, 0.699 cm, and 8.5. The values for 12 cm placement distance are 5,840.06 cm 2 , 34.55 cm, 0.788 cm and 11.25, respectively. These show that the effects of fertilizer placement distance on root distribution, stalk thickness and stem height are significant at 0.05 level of significance during three months of growth. It was highest at 12 cm placement and lowest was at 8 cm placement distance. Hence, fertilizer placement distance at 12 cm was recommended for the design and construction of a fertilizer applicator for sugarcan

Near-field Hybrid Beamforming for Terahertz-band Integrated Sensing and Communications

Terahertz (THz) band communications and integrated sensing and communications (ISAC) are two main facets of the sixth generation wireless networks. In order to compensate the severe attenuation, the THz wireless systems employ large arrays, wherein the near-field beam-squint severely degrades the beamforming accuracy. Contrary to prior works that examine only either narrowband ISAC beamforming or far-field models, we introduce an alternating optimization technique for hybrid beamforming design in near-field THz-ISAC scenario. We also propose an efficient approach to compensate near-field beam-squint via baseband beamformers. Via numerical simulations, we show that the proposed approach achieves satisfactory spectral efficiency performance while accurately estimating the near-field beamformers and mitigating the beam-squint without additional hardware components.Comment: Accepted Paper in 2023 IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 202

Ventilatory support of the newborn

Respiratory disorders are a frequent cause of admission in the newborn. Respiratory diseases have unique physiologic, anatomic and clinical characteristics during this period necessitating special management. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases and their differential impact on the lungs of differing stages of maturity is essential to the safe and efficacious applications of special techniques of treatment. Principles of respiratory management include establishment of the airway, ensuring oxygenation, assisted ventilation, assessing adequacy of ventilation, correction of metabolic abnormalities and alleviation of cause of distress. The goal of treatment is safe and effective assistance to oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal from the tissues. Inspired oxygen should be administered in a controlled manner to provide adequate but not excessive blood oxygen tension levels. Mechanical ventilation may be required to treat metabolic abnormalities. There is the need for continuous monitoring and re- evaluation. This article is intended to present an overview of the embryology of the respiratory system, pulmonary physiology in the newborn, the principles of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. It also discusses the complications that can follow. Key words: Ventilatory support, oxygen delivery, newbor

Development of a Tool to Determine the Energy Required to Cut and Top Sugarcane

Sugarcane harvesting is a labor intensive operation and its mechanization is a recent development in Nigeria. The difficulties in providing the needed spare parts for the imported harvesting machines and labor shortages during harvesting periods impede the country’s drive towards self-sufficiency in sugar production. To develop an effective and efficient machine for harvesting of sugarcane, a preliminary data on the energy requirement for the cutting and topping of sugarcane must be available to the designer. A simple apparatus was developed to calculate the energy requirement for cutting and topping of sugarcane. The apparatus consists of: crank, sprocket, chain, freewheel, flange, front hub, spindle, frame and the base support. The result of evaluation test reveals that 15.71 Joules and 23.83 Joules were needed for cutting the top and base of the sugarcane, respectively

Assessment on the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) For Teaching And Learning In Arabic Secondary Schools (Case Study: Kano State, Nigeria)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has changed the world entirely. These change span across all sectors, ranging from transportation, economic, health, military, banking, education, to mention a few. The rise of communication technologies has provoked great interest in the way in which they can be applied in education to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. This study aimed at determining the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching and learning in Arabic Secondary Schools in Kano State, Nigeria. The study focused on six (6) Arabic Secondary Schools in Kano Municipal, among the schools are: School for Arabic Studies Kano (SAS), Government Arabic College Gwale (GAC Gwale), Abdullahi Bayero College of Qur’an, UmmuWarqa Government Girls Arabic School, Hasiya Bayero Government Girls Arabic School and Balarabe Haladu Government Arabic School Kano. A survey research design method was adopted to conduct the study. The population used for the study consisted of the teachers and students from the six Arabic schools. Two different questionnaires were designed and distributed among the teachers and their students. The first questionnaire is for the students which consist of four sections and the second questionnaire is for the teachers which are under six sections, two hundred samples are used in each case. The findings showed that 26% of the teachers are using ICT applications for teaching and learning, while 74% of the teachers are not using ICT tools for teaching and learning. On the other hand, 34% of the students are using ICT applications for teaching and learning, while 66% of the students are not using ICT tools for teaching and learning Keywords: Arabic, Qur’an, Secondary, School, Information Communication Technology