Sulfate attack and embedded steel corrosion resistances of volcanic-aggregate concrete with fly ash and silica fume

Construction materials are increasingly on high demand in the developing world. The construction industry has a challenge of discovering, new  alternative construction materials to conventional materials which are locally available materials in environmentally friendly manner. The  experimental tests are conducted on volcanic concrete system to analyze its properties especially corrosion resistance potential for its applicability in construction. The major aim is to investigate its suitability and corrosion resistance potential especially when used in construction of structures with embedded steel. The test results of the material show that volcanic concrete system with 30% fly ash and 10% silica fume cementing materials is an alternative green construction material. Permeability properties are reduced by 8% and 24% with 30% fly ash and 10% silica fume respectively. Tests also indicate that Compressive strength, Corrosion potential and polarization resistance in volcanic concrete system with supplementing  cement materials has more potential to resist sulfate attack when compared with conventional volcanic concrete systems. The supplementary cementing materials (SCM) reduce the pore system and hence decrease the ingress of corrosive ions an  water in concrete. Corrosive ions, moisture and air would initiate corrosion to the embedded steel in concrete leading to reduced service life such structures. Key word: Supplementary Cementing Materials, Sulfate attack, volcanic concrete system, Granite powder, river sand, Corrosion of embedded stee

Validation of Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-16) on Nonclinical Sample of Rwandans: A Cross-Sectional Study

The editorial board announced this article has been retracted on January 17, 2019.If you have any further question, please contact us at: [email protected] Article Title: Validation of Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-16) on Nonclinical Sample of Rwandans: A Cross-Sectional StudyAuthor/s: Emmanuel Biracyaza, Jean Mutabaruka, Samuel HabimanaJournal Title: International Journal of Social Science StudiesISSN: 2324-8033; E-ISSN: 2324-8041Volume and Number: Vol. 7, No. 1, 2019Pages: 53-61DOI: https://doi.org/10.11114/ijsss.v7i1.391

Parental Family Violence and Mental Health among parents and their offspring in the Southern Province, Rwanda

Background Children who witness violence between parents have an elevated risk of developing mental disorders as well as being victims or perpetrator of family violence (FV) in their future relationships when compared with children from non-violent family. Objectives To assess links between both parental FV and mental disorders, and mental disorders in their offspring. Methods One hundred and thirty eight (138) participants dispatched in two categories: spouses/partners (N: 89; 40 Males) and offspring (N: 49; 20 Males) have been recruited from eight District Police Unities (DPU) of the Rwandan Southern Province to participate in this cross-sectional study during a 7 months period. This study used the student “t” to examine the links between parental FV and mental disorders in offspring. Results Parental FV was linked with PTSD, psychopathic and addiction behavior symptoms in offspring. Parental anxious attachment was linked with anxiety and addiction behavior symptoms in offspring and the risk of being perpetrator or victims of FV.  Parental avoidant attachment was linked with depression symptoms in offspring. Further, both parental low self-esteem and PTSD were linked with depression and PTSD symptoms in offspring. Conclusion The results indicate that FV and mental disorders experienced by parents seem to affect offspring’s mental health and generate specific mental disorders. Therefore, the intervention programs should focus on the treatment of both parental and children mental disorders. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2020;3(3):291-31

Investigation on application of Rwanda building standards in local construction industry

The Rwanda Building code is in place from 2015, while the development of Rwanda standards dates from 2006 when the reviewed Law establishing Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) was published. The key role of standards is technically to ensure quality, safety, reliability of constructions as stated the relevant codes. With the construction industry growing very fast, the purpose of this study was to investigate on the application of Rwanda building standards, with regards to the existing code requirements and to identify the relevant gaps. The study was conducted based on initially set specific objectives, while the research methodology was mainly comprised of visits to different public and private agencies related to construction industry, observations on the sites and interview with different experts. The study established that Rwanda building standards were still accused of a low awareness and application as well as noticeable gaps. The level of awareness among all professionals was still at 71%. In general about application, only 55% of respondents confirmed the experience in application of Rwanda building standards, even if this level was higher for some categories. A good part of respondents composing around 57% thought that Rwanda building standards documents were still incomplete. Based on the above findings, adequate strategies for improving the awareness, application process and document completion were proposed; with the introduction of Rwanda building standards into academic curriculum, increase the number of awareness meetings and recognition of adequate research before design or review of any standard, among others.Keywords: Building code, Building Standards, awareness strategy, Law and Regulations, Monitoring proces

Strength, sustainability and affordability of bamboo and mud bricks as materials used in local construction

The construction industry is one of the rapidly growing and the cost analysis suggests that the materials cost is constantly increasing. The continuous extraction of aggregates intensively used in the field is negatively acting to the environment. Therefore research in construction materials should focus not only on discovering new alternative materials but also in appreciating the quality of those locally available for their better application. This research aimed at evaluating the performance of bamboo and mud bricks as two available local building materials, especially with regards not only to their strength but also to new performance concepts which are affordability, energy efficiency and environment friendly aspects. The study comprised mainly of laboratory tests of used materials and cost estimation analysis. Study results established that the considered bamboo and mud bricks, made in ordinary soils and reinforced by sisal fibers were reusable, environment friendly materials and energy efficient, with the bamboo showing the thermal conductivity equal to 0.1496 W/mK. Regarding the compressive strength, reinforced mud bricks with sisal fibers showed an increased value from 1.75 MPA to 4.29MPA, what was in line with related previous studies. The average compressive strength of the studied Arundinaria Alpine bamboo was established at 133,7MPA, while its tensile strength was 88.16MPA and these values were reasonable with comparison to other conventional materials. It is recommended that further research in checking the performance of other types of bamboo as well as about new construction technologies be undertaken in order to enhance the service life of both bamboo and mud bricks.Keywords: Affordability, Bamboo, Conventional concrete, Materials strength, Mud reinforced bricks, Sustainabilit

Emotions and Feelings as Predictors of Depression and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders among Children and Adolescents with Complete Blindness

 Introduction Although blindness is a detrimental physical condition affecting almost all aspects of the lives of children and adolescents with blindness, little is known about the negative emotions and feelings they express and how they are linked with psychological disorders. Thus, this study aimed at examining the links between negative basic emotions, feelings, depression, and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). Methods Sixty children and adolescents with blindness were selected from HVP Gatagara-Rwamagana. We computed the regression analysis to identify the associations between emotions and feelings and depression and ADHD symptoms. Results Results indicated clinical levels of sadness in 29 of 60 (48.3%), low self-esteem in 27 of 60 (45%), anger in 26 of 60 (43.3%), guilt and shame in 25 of 60) 41.6%, depression in 26 of 60 (43.3%), inattention in 11 of 60 (18.3%) and hyperactivity in 3 of 60 (5%). This study revealed that self-esteem (β = -0.81, p < 0.001), anger (β = 0.76, p < 0.001), sadness (β = 0.75, p < 0.001), low happiness (β = -0.53, p < 0.001), guilt and shame (β = 0.70, p < 0.001) predicted depressive symptoms. Only sadness (β = 0.540, p = 0.04) and anger (β =- 0.556, p = 0.04) were significant predictors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with blindness. Conclusion Interventions designed to elevate self-esteem and happiness as well as decrease anger, sadness, shame and guilt are needed for decreasing the risk of depression and ADHD. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2022;5(3):340-34

EEG and psychological assessment datasets: Neurofeeedback for the treatment of PTSD

Psychological assessments were conducted through clinical interviews, to collect psychometric data for twenty-nine female survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, before and after an intervention aimed at reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. Three measures of trauma and four measures of wellbeing were assessed using empirically validated standardised assessments. The participants were assigned to a control group (n = 9), a motor-imagery group (MI, n = 10), and a neurofeedback group (NF, n = 10). Participants in the latter two groups received a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) based training as a treatment intervention over a period of two weeks between the pre- and post- clinical interviews. The training involved presenting feedback visually via a game, based on real-time analysis of the EEG recorded data during the BCI-based treatment session. Participants were asked to regulate (NF) or intentionally modulate (MI) brain activity to affect/control the game.

Making Sanitation and Hygiene a Human Security Issue: The case of Nyamagabe District, Rwanda

This is the case study developed by Nyamagabe District and WaterAid documenting their experiences and reflections from working together to increase prioritisation of S&H in Nyamagabe District, Rwanda.This case study was developed to inform subsequent research and analysis of local government leadership and prioritisation of sanitation and hygiene (S&H) in East Africa. Consolidated learning from across the three countries involved can be found in the Sanitation Learning Hub (SLH) Learning Brief: Strengthening sub-national systems for area-wide sanitation and hygiene. From late 2020 to early 2021, the SLH collaborated with local government actors and development partners from three sub-national areas to explore ways of increasing local government leadership and prioritisation of S&H to drive progress towards area-wide S&H. For some time, local government leadership has been recognised as key to ensuring sustainability and scale, it is an important component of the emerging use of systems strengthening approaches in the sanitation sector. It is hoped that this work will provide practical experiences to contribute to this thinking. Three case studies were developed to capture local government and development partners’ experiences supporting sub-national governments increase their leadership and prioritisation of S&H in Siaya County (Kenya), Nyamagabe District (Rwanda), and Moyo District (Uganda), all of which have seen progress in recent years. The development partners involved were UNICEF in Kenya, WaterAid in Rwanda, and WSSCC/ Uganda Sanitation Fund in Uganda. The cases were then analysed through three online workshops facilitated with staff from the local governments, central government ministries and development partners involved to explore them in further detail, review experiences and identify levers and blockages to change. Lessons from the workshops are documented in the SLH learning brief mentioned above. This is the case study developed by Nyamagabe District and WaterAid documenting their experiences and reflections from working together to increase prioritisation of S&H in Nyamagabe District, Rwanda.SidaUnicefWSSC